United 2-2 Bournemouth: Pressure mounts on Ten Hag after another poor performance

United fumbled yet another golden opportunity to push for the Champions League spots after a deflating 2-2 draw away at the Vitality Stadium, against an admittedly in-form Bournemouth.

This draw means Erik Ten Hag’s team has only managed to win 1 out of the last 7 Premier League matches, and the Reds now languish in 7th, alongside Newcastle and 2 points above West Ham.

A DREADFUL start

United started the game as we have for most games this entire season: all over the place. There was no cohesion between the team whatsoever; we were getting easily pressed off the ball and barely stitching 3 passes together. For the first goal, a poor touch from Garnacho gifted possession to Bournemouth, and Dominic Solanke, who has been in a rich vein of form for Bournemouth this season, shrugged off young Willy Kambwala off to slot into the net.

The goal spurred the players on to try and get going and a well-worked cross from Garnacho allowed Fernandes to volley a shot into the roof of the net. Bruno has now scored in 3 consecutive league games for the first time in 3 years. You’d hope the goal would give United the confidence to get their act right, but, as it was for the first goal, Bournemouth capitalised from a wide-open defence, this time courtesy of Justin Kluivert. United limped into half time 2-1 down.

More urgency second half

With Amad coming on for Garnacho, United tried to strengthen their defence on the right side and began holding on to the ball a little bit more .There were still big gaps in midfield and the passing was still sub-par, but United began to get a foothold in the game. Kobbie Mainoo’s pass got deflected into Adam Smith’s hand, which gave United a penalty (don’t tell Jurgen Klopp or he’ll start complaining again), which was coolly slotted in by Fernandes.

What followed was a lacklustre and drab period where United hung on for dear life as Bournemouth became the 14th Premier League team to register 20 shots against United. Bournemouth very nearly had their own penalty thanks to a foul by Kambwala, however, VAR overturned the decision because of the foul being committed outside the box. The closest United got to scoring after the penalty was a long range shot by Fernandes which rattled the crossbar. United had 8 shots all game and one of them was the penalty.

This situation is not ideal and the performance not good enough. Erik Ten Hag is running out of time to prove why he should still be manager of Manchester United come the 24/25 season. United seem devoid of any confidence and any desire to make it into the Champions League spots, when Tottenham and Aston Villa are dropping points.

We have dropped 9 points in the last 4 games, which would have seen us be in touching distance of Tottenham going into the final 6 games of the season. The attitude of some players is the same we have seen when previous United managers were about to bite the bullet. INEOS will have their hands full when they try to salvage this situation in the summer and will have a big decision to make about the manager in the next few weeks.

PLAYER RATINGS AND MOTM

Onana – 6. Made a string of saves, but could have done better to save the second goal.

Dalot – 5. Was a game to forget for Dalot, wasn’t very helpful in defence or attack.

Kambwala – 5. His 2nd consecutive start. Slipped on the pitch for the first goal and was target mostly by Bournemouth when United had possession. Otherwise couldn’t expect more form a youngster.

Maguire – 7. Fought off a knock to play the full 90 and was the best United defender, making key tackles and interceptions and keeping a calm head throughout the game.

Wan-Bissaka – 5.5. Not a very significant game for the Spider; made a few good tackles but was not heavily involved in attack and didn’t impose himself upon the game.

Mainoo – 6.5. Made some mistakes, including leaving a giant hole in the midfield for the opening goal. Otherwise tidy in possession and won the penalty for United.

Fernandes – 8 & MOTM. Great first goal and scored the penalty with great composure. Hit the crossbar, and was United’s biggest threat.

Casemiro – 4. Struggled to exert control in the first half and was amiss in the midfield when United were getting overran in midfield… again. Legs have clearly gone and I think it is time to part ways with Case in the Summer.

Garnacho – 4.5. Assisted United’s first goal but in a way, assisted Bournemouth’s opener. Did not help Dalot out much defensively, and looked leggy soon into the match. Subbed off at HT.

Rasford – 4. Didn’t do a great deal and just looked like a waste of a shirt.

Hojlund – 5. Still hasn’t regained the form he showed before his injury.

Subs:

Amad (on for Garnacho on 45′) – 6. Looked okay and had some good defensive contributions. Kept the ball better than Garnacho. Should deserve to start the FA Cup semi final.

Mount (on for Mainoo on 78′) – 5. Didn’t get on the ball very much, mainly passed it square when he did. Nearly gave a penalty away when almost sandwiching a player between himself and Kambwala.

LOOKING AHEAD

United face Coventry City in the FA Cup Semi Final next week at Wembley. If Erik Ten Hag cannot get the team motivated enough to batter a Championship team off the park, the end is nigh and Ten Hag era might just come to an end before it got going. Failure is not an option, weakness is not an option. United need to win the next fixture. No second chances.