“They were punishing us a lot”: Bournemouth boss Iraola picks out four United stars for praise after 4-4 thriller

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola praised four Manchester United players as the two sides played out a dramatic 4-4 draw on Monday evening. Disappointing draw for United A win against Bournemouth would have elevated United to fifth place in the Premier League table but they were left ruing multiple missed chances instead as they were held to a frustrating draw. United dominated on their way to a 2-1 half-time lead courtesy of headed finishes from Amad and Casemiro, but the hosts were their own worst enemies as Evanilson and Marcus Tavernier struck in quick succession moments after the restart, to give the Cherries the advantage. However, United rallied back and restored parity through skipper Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese playmaker fired a stunning free-kick into the top corner to make it 3-3. Matheus Cunha thought he had won the game for United when he completed a counterattack with a clinical finish, but substitute Eli Junior Kroupi had the final say, making it 4-4. After the final whistle, a frustrated Ruben Amorim expressed his displeasure with United’s defending despite some excellent attacking plays. Iraola also gave his verdict on the match and named Amad, Bruno Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo and Senne Lammens as the players who made the biggest difference for the Red Devils. Iraola’s remarks The Spaniard said [as quoted by Manchester World], “Really difficult to explain. There were moments where you wanted the game to finish to take one point, but we are very close to scoring and maybe it is better it finishes, a lot of up and downs.” “United has been much better the first 20 minutes until we changed. 1-1 finishing strong the first half and concede this second goal. Happy apart from the first 20 minutes when they started better.” “They were punishing us a lot, especially with Amad and Mbeumo. Alex Jimenez has played really well, defending with Amad almost like a full-back, but all the matchups were good for us.” “We have scored four, conceded four, and the offensive players have scored. It is good for the confidence; we need to look at the goals conceded. The second I think, is very sloppy from a corner, the header is too soft, and I complain about the third, it is never a handball, but Bruno scores an incredible goal.” Lammens denied Tavernier in the first half and also made two excellent saves in the dying embers of proceedings to rescue a point for United. Iraola said about the United goalkeeper, “We struggled in the first 15-20 minutes. We made some adjustments but we were losing 1-0. From there I was quite happy with how the game was. The last two were massive chances, great saves from Lammens. We take a point. We can use a lot of good things from today but things to correct.” The Bournemouth gaffer explained that his side suffered due to the flexibility of Amorim’s system and his tactical tweaks. He remarked, “I think it is the same system they always play but they adapt depending on who you put to mark them. In the end, it’s a very flexible system. Depending on the players, the outside players, depending if you mark them with a full-back, they will go lower, and then with a winger, they go higher.” “Also, with the positions in the middle, the six and eight, Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes and, even us, we were changing, it’s two against two, but it’s not two against two.” “Until we match up well for us, I think we suffer in the first 15 or 20 minutes, something like this, and after when we put Alex [Scott] there, we felt much more solid without the ball. And when you feel solid, normally you also attack better.” United are next in action on Sunday when they go away to Aston Villa. Feature image Shaun Botterill 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 Derick Kinoti Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the Premier League extensively for years. His work blends sharp analysis, tactical insight, and engaging storytelling that resonates with fans around the world. Derick has gained valuable experience in football journalism, developing strong expertise in SEO writing, digital content creation, and social media engagement. A tech enthusiast with a Computer Science degree from the University of Nairobi, he ultimately swapped code for football commentary, bringing an analytical, detail-oriented approach to his writing. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!