Rúben Amorim has explained one underrated moment from a Manchester United star against Bournemouth that he sees as a “good boost” for his team.
Rasmus Højlund saved Rúben Amorim from defeat with a last-gasp equaliser as Manchester United drew 1-1 with Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon on the south coast.
The match started with United keen to match Bournemouth’s speed and physicality, but it was the home side who struck first, with Antoine Semenyo putting them ahead just after 20 minutes.
United looked to respond, but Alejandro Garnacho was unable to make the most of a few half-chances, and the two sides went into the break with Andoni Iraola’s team holding the advantage.
In the second half, much of United’s attacking play came through Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu on the left-hand side, but it wasn’t until the 70th minute that the game swung, with Evanilson sent off for a challenge on Noussair Mazraoui.
Chances then fell to the likes of Chido Obi and Mason Mount, and it was Højlund who finally made the breakthrough in the 96th minute to secure a draw for Amorim’s men.
Højlund’s underrated moment vs Bournemouth
Højlund’s finish against Bournemouth was his 25th goal for United, although it was just his second Premier League strike in his last 19 appearances in the competition.
It was an underrated finish from the Dane, with the striker reacting quickly after Manuel Ugarte guided the ball into his path to finish from close range.
Speaking with Sky Sports after the result, Amorim himself explained that he feels it was essential for Højlund to score, and that the goal is a good boost for his squad as they look ahead to their upcoming Europa League semi-final.
“It is always important for strikers to score,” Amorim said. “But when we look at the game as a striker it is not just the goals. It is a good boost but the next game is a new history and we have to go again.”
United need to be sharper against Bilbao
Furthermore, Amorim discussed how he believes Bournemouth’s defensive style is similar to that of their Europa League semi-final opponents, Athletic Bilbao.
“The way Bournemouth defend is quite similar to [Bilbao], so we can take things from this game. But again, it is a new history, and we must do better.”
He makes a good point – United only looked dangerous once Bournemouth went down to ten men and relinquished their attacking threat to try and protect their lead.
To try and defeat their opponents across the Spain and Old Trafford legs of the fixture, United must do better and be much more coordinated in their attacking phases of play, or it will be far too simple for Bilbao to shut them out.
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