Manchester United and Bournemouth played out a relentless 4-4 draw at Old Trafford in a match defined by rapid momentum swings and clinical finishing. United twice led in the first half before Bournemouth rallied after the interval to take a 3-2 lead. United then moved ahead again, only for Junior Kroupi to force an 84th-minute equaliser and ensure the points were shared.

The evening began with United dominant. Diogo Dalot’s cross caused confusion in the box and Amad nodded in the opener. Bournemouth responded through Antoine Semenyo, who cut through hesitant passing on the hosts’ left and finished into the bottom corner. Casemiro restored United’s lead with a late first-half header from a corner.

The second half exposed the space left by an isolated United midfield. Marcus Tavernier exploited that gap, first laying on a chance that Evanilson finished and then scoring himself after a quick counter-attack to give Bournemouth a 3-2 advantage. United hit back quickly: Bruno Fernandes produced a top-corner free kick to level and Matheus Cunha fired United back in front shortly after.

Kroupi’s composed finish amid a cluster of defenders brought Bournemouth level again at 4-4. At the death, Senne Lammens made two superb stoppage-time saves to deny Bournemouth a winner.

Several United performers stood out. Bruno Fernandes was influential in possession and scored from a free kick. Amad received strong marks for his industrious contribution, while Matheus Cunha’s movement caused persistent problems for the visitors. Senne Lammens made important late saves despite being beaten by precise finishes from Semenyo and Evanilson earlier.

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola had warned his players of the difficulty ahead: “It’s true that we have good memories,” Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola wistfully recalled of his recent trips to Old Trafford ahead of kickoff. “Unfortunately, today is going to be more difficult.” Ahead of the game Amorim told his players, “A change is coming,” but the wholesale tactical shift that had been suggested did not materialise on the night.

The game finished level after eighty-eight minutes of end-to-end action that left both sets of supporters with plenty to digest. Statistically United edged possession and xG but the final scoreline reflected a match of constant openings and exposed defensive moments.

Pep Guardiola has signalled that Manchester City are trending in the right direction and that their rivals should take notice. He suggested the group are showing characteristics from the clubs’ past title-winning campaigns and that this time of year often sparks one of City’s trademark unbeaten runs.

Arsenal have been reeled in by City in two of the past three seasons, and Guardiola is clearly optimistic about repeating that influence. “I have the feeling that we are getting better,” Guardiola smiled after Saturday’s win. “You believe that the past was always perfect when you look back at all the titles and the 100 points. But for the amount of things we achieved, we had a lot of games like today and the resilience was part of that.”

City began the season with a 4–0 win against Wolverhampton Wanderers, but then lost their next two matches. After the struggles of the 2024–25 season, when Guardiola’s side finished a distant third behind Arsenal and champions Liverpool, many had doubted the club’s prospects. “Still, we are not top, but we are learning and after what happened we will be closer in the future,” Guardiola warned.

On the field, Erling Haaland remains central to City’s surge. He scored twice against Palace, taking his league tally to 17 after 16 matches. Phil Foden has also regained form, equalling his top-flight goal tally from last term with a seventh Premier League strike, a drive from outside the box against Palace.

Guardiola addressed Foden’s drop last season and placed it in a wider context. “The problem last season was not Phil; it was for everyone, me included,” he explained. On expectations for the attacker, he was unequivocal: “Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely [there is more to come from him],” the Catalan coach promised.

Guardiola added that while Foden’s natural quality is already exceptional, there is still room in areas such as timing and tempo. “He will not improve his incredible quality, because he’s top, at the top. But understanding the game, the way you have certain moments, the way you have to play, and the way you have to accelerate, or sometimes decelerate the game.

“Just the timing, the tempo he will give it, of course, everyone has to improve, everyone.”

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has framed his handling of Kobbie Mainoo around squad balance and the wider fortunes of several academy graduates. Amorim said his 3-4-2-1 formation does not play to Mainoo’s natural strengths and pointed to recent examples among the club’s youngsters to explain limited minutes.

“[Collyer] is from the academy, he played here, went to West Bromwich [Albion] and he’s not playing,” Amorim highlighted. “He played for Manchester United, so sometimes it’s not because he’s from the academy or whatever. It’s the situation that’s happened.”

Amorim added that opportunities are decided by training and match performance. “The door is open for any player to change my mind. But in the end, it’s going to be the training, the games. Of course, he’s not playing so many games, but Kobbs, he had opportunities, especially last year. Everyone had [opportunities]. Especially last year, everyone has.

“Amass is now struggling in the Championship. Chido is not always a starter in U21s. All these guys played when a lot of people were saying, ‘Sack the manager.’ You can see that I’m not worried. I just look at the team and try to win the next game. I will do that until the end.”

Mainoo was reportedly open to a loan move in the summer but the club declined the request. Amorim said there have been no winter-exit talks to date and stressed communication with the player would be welcomed. “First of all, the team comes first,” Amorim vowed. “If Kobbie comes to me and talks to me, I will talk to him.

“I’m not going to say what I’m going to say to Kobbie, but I will be really pleased if Kobbie is coming to talk to me about that. I just want my players [to be] happy and understand that every individual has their goals. The frustration doesn’t help anybody.

“I had some conversations with him, especially last year, and with other players, but about that subject, no, I didn’t speak with him.”

Amorim acknowledged the broader context: Mainoo is one of few senior academy representatives after the summer departures of Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho, with an 88-year run of including a graduate in matchday squads at risk. The manager has admitted concern about ending that streak and The Telegraph note some inside United have concerns about how Mainoo has been handled. “Of course [I rate Mainoo], like everyone else,” Amorim insisted. “The problem is we are playing with two [midfielders] and you guys see Kobbie in a different way than I’m seeing.

“Maybe if you play with three midfielders, not with just two, Kobbie will have more minutes. Imagine that this happens. Someone in front is going to lose their spot. Sometimes it’s just the moment.

“I think I proved that if you change my mind [you can get into the team]. Casemiro is the biggest example. He was behind Toby and now he is a starter.

“Kobbs is one more player that I understand all the interests. I understand how important it is. The hopes that you guys and English guys have. I also just want to win. If he’s the right guy, I will put him in. No problem.”