Five things we learnt as United throw away two points in rollercoaster 4-4 draw with Bournemouth

Manchester United welcomed AFC Bournemouth to Old Trafford in the Premier League on Monday night. Senne Lammens started in goal, with Leny Yoro returning to the starting line-up. Luke Shaw and Ayden Heaven partnered him in the centre of defence. Diogo Dalot and Amad began in the wing-back positions. Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes took up their usual spots in the double pivot, while Mason Mount and Bryan Mbeumo started in the number ten roles. Matheus Cunha was once again deployed as a false nine. Here are five things we learnt from the match. Amad Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola talked up the role of Amad in this United side before the game, and it seemed to fire the Ivorian up. The wing-back started the game in fantastic form, scoring after just 13 minutes when he headed in from close range. Amad was also electric in attack, regularly running at the Cherries’ defence. He almost scored another wonder goal on the counter, but was only denied by a world-class, goal-saving tackle. This showing highlighted what a big miss he will be during the Africa Cup of Nations. Mount leads high-intensity press United were fantastic in pressing Bournemouth high up the pitch and regularly won the ball in dangerous areas. There was nobody better at this than Mason Mount. The Englishman has been in sensational form lately, and he continued to impress tonight. He was tireless in winning the ball back and gave the Bournemouth defence a nightmarish first half. United slip into bad habits There has certainly been an improvement of late in Ruben Amorim’s side’s attacking play. The first half was probably one of the best the team have produced this season. Nonetheless, they switched off defensively and left one of the most dangerous attackers in the league, Antoine Semenyo, in acres of space to fire in an equaliser, totally against the run of play. Bournemouth once again took advantage of United’s frail defensive state when Evanilson fired in after just one minute in the second half. It was a similar story last week against Wolverhampton Wanderers, where after missing a glut of chances, they conceded a late equaliser in the first half. Set-piece strength If you had told United fans a couple of years ago that they would be one of the most dangerous teams in the country from set-pieces, most would have scoffed. Nonetheless, this is exactly what United have become. Casemiro headed home the Red Devils’ second of the match in yet another goal from a corner. Only Arsenal can boast a better record than United in this regard, and it remains another fruitful source of goals. United’s defence is a problem The Red Devils deserve massive credit for their attacking improvement this season. Nonetheless, their defence is an embarrassment. Conceding four goals to this Bournemouth side is bad enough but especially in the context that throwing away leads through poor defence has been a regular feature of this season. Until United solve this issue, their razor-sharp attack will never be fully rewarded. Featured image Stu Forster via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Alex Browne Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Alex has a Master’s degree from Queen’s University Belfast and La Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona, Spain. Having lived in the country since 2011, Alex is The Peoples Person’s Spanish football expert and is fluent in both Spanish and Catalan. He dreams of witnessing a United captain triumphantly hoisting the Premier League and Champions League trophy in the air once more.