'We must do better' says Amorim as United prepare for Europa League semis with Bournemouth draw

Irish Examiner

27-04-2025

Bournemouth 1 Manchester United 1
For most of the game Ruben Amorim scratched his beard in bewilderment as Jim Ratcliffe glowered in the stands but the Manchester United manager ended his day feeling just like Alex Ferguson.
Well, sort of. Liverpool are champions and he has yet to win even one trophy, though of course that can still happen this season, incredible as that seems.
This time the Outclassed of '25 merely had an equaliser to celebrate but it was netted deep into in Fergie Time - and after a controversial refereeing call had gone their way.
That it was Rasmus Hojlund who scored it perfectly summed up the gulf between the Fergie glory story and the zombie movie now showing every other week at Old Trafford and at venues across the country.
The big Dane had scored just one club goal since December 12 before prodding home to prevent Antoine Semenyo giving 10-man Bournemouth a deserved win.
Exactly what Athletic Bilbao will have made of all this ahead of Thursday's Europa League semi-final first-leg in the Basque Country is anyone's guess but they certainly won't be any less confident of hosting the final in person come May 21.
"We didn't win, but it doesn't matter – it's a different competition,' was Amorim's verdict.
"The way Bournemouth defend is quite similar so we can take things from this game. But again it is a new history and we must do better."
Indeed they must, especially as Bournemouth were in total control until Evanilson was controversially sent off with 20 minutes remaining.
Bournemouth railed at that, during and afterwards, but it was also true they might have been a man down much earlier had VAR sought an upgrade of a yellow for Tyler Adams' two-footed challenge on Alejandro Garnacho.
United conceded straight afterwards, in the 23rd minute. Adam Smith pounced on a pass to Patrick Dorgu from Luke Shaw - starting for the first time this season - and Evanilson's clever flick allowed Semenyo to drill past Andre Onana.
Bournemouth remained comfortable after the break, with Dango Outtara's free-kick smacking a post on the hour, but the Evanilson incident was only 10 minutes away.
The Brazilian was booked for a challenge on Noussair Mazraoui that replicated the Adams one - two-footed but seemingly the result of a slippery surface rather than malicious intent.
This time though there was zero contact with the ball and when VAR suggested referee Peter Bankes ought to check the footage there was only going to be one outcome.
"Everyone who has played football understands - he slips," Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola complained.
"Of course we are going to appeal. It is common sense. I don't think you should have a red card for this. But the VAR cuts to the worst angle, the worst frame."
It looked as though Bournemouth might hold out but eventually United found a way, six minutes into added time. Shaw crossed from the left, substitute Manuel Ugarte stabbed goalwards and Hojlund - just onside - poked it over the line.
"He now needs to score many more,' Amorim added.
Thursday would be as good a time as any, Rasmus.
Bournemouth (4-2-3-1): Kepa 7; Smith 7, Zabarnyi 6, Huijsen 7, Kerkez 6; Scott 7 (Cook 72) , Adams 6; Semenyo 7 (Senesi 86), Kluivert 6 (Tavernier 72), Ouattara 6; Evanilson 6.
Manchester United (3-4-2-1): Onana 6; Yoro 7, Maguire 6 (Lindelof 65, 5), Shaw 6; Mazrauoi 6 (Obi 76), Casemiro 6 (Ugarte 65, 4), Fernandes 6, Dorgu 5 (Eriksen 90); Garnacho 7, Mainoo 6 (Mount 65, 4); Hojlund 6.
Referee: Peter Bankes 6.