‘This happened many times’ – Ruben Amorim says Manchester United must close games out after thrilling draw with Bournemouth

The hosts took the lead three times in the match but were forced to settle for a point, meaning they missed the chance to go level with Chelsea in fourth.

Speaking at full-time, Amorim said: “It’s really disappointing, we are really disappointed. Crazy game. In the end, we deserved more. It was a fun game for everyone at home.

“People, especially at Old Trafford, want to win, but they want to be inspired to see a team play good football. We did that well in certain moments.

“It was a good performance, but we need to be more clinical because we created so many chances.

“(Senne) Lammens did really well; there were opportunities for both sides. We created more, we need to find ways of closing the games because this happened many times.

“That’s part of the process. We try to do things the best we can, but in some moments it’s not enough.”

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There were 39 shots throughout the match, with 18 of those finding the target as the two sides managed nine efforts on goal each.

United were the better team in the opening period and took a 2-1 lead into half-time, but Amorim believes they should have had a greater advantage at the break.

He said: “It might look like we lost the two points in the second half, but I think we lost them in the first half.

“We dominated and created so many chances. We had to go to half-time with a different result.”

United took the lead after 13 minutes when Amad Diallo nodded home from close range.

Bournemouth drew level through Antoine Semenyo’s superb solo effort, but Casemiro’s header restored the hosts’ advantage on the brink of half-time.

Casemiro of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Bournemouth at Old Trafford on December 15, 2025 in Manchester, England.

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However, the visitors turned the game on its head just seven minutes into the second half, with Evanilson firing home before Marcus Tavernier’s free-kick found the bottom corner.

Bruno Fernandes responded with a free-kick of his own to level the scores once more, with a sublime strike that picked out the top-right corner.

Matheus Cunha made it 4-3 just two minutes later, but Amorim’s side were forced to settle for a point after Junior Kroupi restored parity in the 84th minute.

Bournemouth went close to winning the match deep into added time, but David Brooks had his header saved by the feet of Senne Lammens.

Junior Kroupi celebrates his equaliser

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Speaking afterwards, Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola told Sky Sports: “Difficult to explain. I suppose for the neutrals, it’s been a nice game.

“It had everything. Moments where you think it’s a loss. Moments where you think we have this one, we are comfortable. Even at the end, at the last minute, two clear chances, and I was thinking maybe win this one.

“We are two teams that play quite aggressively, quite open and probably today we attacked much better than we defended.

“You didn’t even know if we were happy finishing the game or giving us one minute more.”

The draw has taken United to sixth in the league, level on points with Crystal Palace in fifth, as well as Liverpool and Sunderland in seventh and eighth, respectively.

Bournemouth, meanwhile, are now without a win in seven league games, but climbed up to 13th, going ahead of Brentford and Fulham.

Iraola’s side will hope to end their long wait for three points with a home tie against Burnley on Saturday, while Manchester United travel to the in-form Aston Villa on Sunday.