Bournemouth equalise twice in draw with Man Utd as Maguire sees red

21st Mar 2026 | Source: BBC

At a glance

All four goals scored in dramatic second half
Bruno Fernandes opens scoring from penalty spot
Ryan Christie equalises with fine finish moments after Man Utd denied second penalty
James Hill own goal gives Man Utd lead again
Harry Maguire sent off for foul on Evanilson and Junior Kroupi equalises from spot

ByGary Rose

BBC Sport journalist

Harry Maguire was sent off for Manchester United on the day he was recalled to the England squad as Junior Kroupi's penalty rescued a point for Bournemouth.

The defender had earlier on Friday earned a return to the international fold for the first time since 2024 after being named in Thomas Tuchel's squad for upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.

But a day that had started so well ended in disappointment as he was shown a straight red card for pulling back Evanilson inside the box when Manchester United led 2-1.

Kroupi then stepped up to calmly convert the spot-kick and earn Bournemouth a draw.

All the drama happened in the second half after a goalless first 45 minutes.

The visitors took the lead when they were awarded a penalty after Alex Jimenez needlessly tugged back Matheus Cunha inside the box.

Bruno Fernandes stepped up to send the goalkeeper the wrong way for his eighth Premier League goal of the season.

But Bournemouth were level when, after Manchester United had been denied a second penalty when Amad Diallo went down inside the box, Ryan Christie slotted in a fine finish from the edge of the box.

However, Manchester United regained the lead moments later when Fernandes' corner skimmed off the head of Marcos Senesi and was then then turned into the back of his own net by James Hill.

All three goals came in the space of 10 dramatic minutes, before Bournemouth went close to equalising when Alex Scott's fine strike struck the woodwork, hit Senne Lammens but then bounced just wide.

However there was more drama to come with nine minutes to go when Maguire gifted the hosts the chance to level from the spot, which Kroupi took.

Penalty decisions prove decisive

Penalty decisions played a key theme in the dramatic second half of this game, after a fairly quiet first 45 minutes.

Both sides were awarded a spot-kick each but Manchester United will perhaps feel aggrieved that a decision went against them, which could have led to them going 2-0 up and likely on course for the win.

That came when Fernandes' excellent ball sent Amad Diallo away into the box and the Ivorian went down under a challenge by Adrien Truffert.

The incident was being checked by the video assistant referee as Bournemouth went up the other end and equalised, leading to a nervous couple of minutes for both teams as they awaited the outcome of the review, before the on-field decision stood.

Despite that, Manchester United did manage to regain the lead before Maguire's day of elation went to frustration as he was sent off, although the visitors will feel frustrated that his foul led to a penalty when Diallo did not get one in similar circumstances at the other end.

The defender's good form under interim boss Michael Carrick has clearly not gone unnoticed by England boss Tuchel, who has opted to give him the chance to win his first cap since September 2024.

But his contribution to Manchester United's game against Bournemouth ensured he was in the headlines on Friday for both good and bad reasons.

Bournemouth show grit as unbeaten run continues

This has been a strange season for Bournemouth in that it started superbly and had a big dip in the middle, but have picked up once again and are embarking on a club record-equalling run.

Kroupi's penalty ensured they extended their unbeaten run to 11 games, just about keeping them in the hunt to finish in the European places as they sit 10th, one point off eighth place.

They arguably had the better of this game until Fernandes' penalty but lacked a clinical touch in the final third.

However, they produced battling qualities to twice come from behind and earn a deserved point.

But while their unbeaten run is impressive it is now five successive draws, which they know they will need to start turning into wins if they are to snatch a finish in the European spots.