United pushed forward in search of an equaliser and after Mason Mount's shot was deflected wide, Hojlund capitalised on Manuel Ugarte's effort, turning it home from close range after Luke Shaw set up the Uruguayan. The result nudged Ruben Amorim's side up to 14th in the Premier League, though their real focus lies on the upcoming Europa League semi-final first leg against Athletic Bilbao. For Bournemouth, the late goal was a crushing blow, leaving them behind Fulham and Brighton in the race for eighth place, which could secure a UEFA Conference League spot depending on the outcome of the FA Cup.
The Cherries were left to rue the red card decision, with manager Andoni Iraola and his coaching staff expressing frustration at what they saw as an unfair dismissal. Losing two vital points and Evanilson for almost the remainder of the season could derail a campaign that once promised to deliver Bournemouth's first-ever European adventure. Yet, despite the disappointment, it's worth noting how far the club has come, having only climbed out of the fourth tier 15 years ago. Progress has been evident on the pitch, and plans are underway for an expansion of the Vitality Stadium to a 20,000-seat capacity — a stark contrast to Old Trafford's size and matchday income, but a sign of Bournemouth's ambitions.
On the field, Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez impressed at the back, while Alex Scott kept the midfield ticking. Bournemouth were strong at both ends, and Kepa produced a brilliant reaction save to deny Alejandro Garnacho after the Argentine latched onto a cross-field pass from Bruno Fernandes. Semenyo's clinical strike was the product of United's defensive carelessness, as Shaw's poor decision left Patrick Dorgu trapped near the touchline, leading to the chance that Bournemouth ruthlessly converted.
Even after going down to 10 men, Bournemouth showed grit and determination, appearing set to hang on for a memorable win. However, Hojlund's late intervention dashed their hopes. For United, while the resilience to salvage a draw offered some comfort, concerns remain. Hojlund's second goal in eight games offers a glimmer of confidence ahead of the vital clashes with Bilbao, but questions persist over United's overall performance.
Amorim's starting XI, filled with internationals, initially promised intricate attacking play, but basic errors, like Shaw's poor pass leading to Bournemouth's opener, continued to undermine the team's progress. As United prepare for their European semi-final, sharper decision-making and greater cohesion will be essential if they are to avoid further disappointment.
