Let's just get this out of the way.

Yes, we were robbed.

Absolutely, 100% robbed.

Both fouls were the same but different outcomes. I actually think all three were penalties. There were no issues with the call for Maguire's foul and subsequent red card as he was the last man and denied a clear goal scoring opportunity.

Btw, I think the rule now states that such straight red cards warrants a one-game ban rather than the previous rule of three games. So Maguire will miss just the Leeds clash in three weeks.

But that foul on Amad was not just not given as a penalty but it had a double-whammy as the Cherries went up the other end and scored.

Even after that goal, a part of me was expecting the ref to pause the game and go over to the monitor to have a look before inevitably reversing his decision.

Obviously that didn't happen and we ended up at 1-1 when it should have been 2-0, if Bruno scored his penalty.

That shift was obviously massive.

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While that poor decision did affect the game heavily, that wasn't the only reason why we didn't win, in my opinion.

We actually started the game off well. I thought this was one of the better openings to a game from United in a while. We created a good amount of chances and even had a goal-line save from Petrovic to deny Bruno Fernandes.

However, after about 30 minutes, United faded as the energy dropped. What's new?

From then on and for the rest of the game, Carrick's side were relatively flat. We went from 11 shots in the first half to just 14 in total by games' end.

The penalty we did get was the most stonewall of the three.

After brilliant chest control by Cunha followed by some skill to get passed two defenders, he was pulled by the shirt in the box with the referee having a fairly easy decision to make.

Although the Amad one was pretty simple as well tbh. At least he didn't cock up on this one too.

The skipper stepped up and did the rest.

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At that stage, with 15 minutes of the second period gone, it felt as if United needed a goal.

From that moment on, you would've thought that we would go on to win the game.

That might have been the case had the referee Stupid Atwell I mean Stuart Atwell, had not have had other ideas.

When he didn't reward United with that second penalty, Bournemouth went up the other end and scored.

1-1 just 6 minutes later and a huge shift in the match.

Admittedly poor defending from United but if truth be told, that goal should not have stood.

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Carrick then made changes as he brought on super sub Sesko for the false 9 of Mbeumo - the Cameroonian once again, not having his best of games.

And straight away, impact.

But not from Sesko this time.

From the corner upon the striker's arrival, the ball was put in the back of his own net by Hill giving United the lead 5 minutes after parity was restored.

It felt like a bit of justice after the second penalty was not awarded.

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The drama wasn't over yet as another penalty incident occured.

This time, the effect was even more damaging.

After some good play by the home side, a superb pass to Evanilson saw him get in front of Maguire and be in one-on-one. The defender then shoves him over and the referee awards the penalty...

and a red card!

As he was the last man and denied a clear goal scoring opportunity, Atwell had no choice but to send Maguire off.

The penalty was scored, United's lead gone and so was the England international.

Getting a win from here on appeared impossible.

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Carrick then took off Casemiro, who was on a yellow, and Cunha to bring on the defensive players Ugarte and Heaven.

I don;t know if Carrick knows but bringing on Ugarte is asking for trouble. It's uncanny how often we concede once bro is on the field.

Bournemouth did very little though, to truly give United anything to worry about even with a ridiculous 9 minutes of added time.

This ref really wanted Bournemouth to win 👀.

Luckily that didn't happen and the match ended in a 2-2 draw.

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This was a bit of an opportunity missed for Carrick. A chance to go 9 points clear of 6th place and put one foot into the Champions League was not taken.

People questioned his decision to bench Sesko for the false 9 of Mbeumo which clearly didn't work. The interim's substitutions also came too late.

He does deserve credit for seeing out the draw with ten men but the opportunity was there given how open Bournemouth were. Against an opponent like that, you would think that they would be the perfect opposition for our counter-attacking approach.

That wasn't to be and there has to be a lot of questions asked about Carrick's style as this type of moments, individualistic or counter-attacking brand of football is not sustainable in the long-term.

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Ratings

Lammens - 7 MOTM

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Dalot - 5.5

Maguire - 5

Yoro - 6

Shaw - 5.5

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Mainoo - 6.5

Casemiro - 6

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Amad - 5.5

Bruno - 7

Cunha - 6

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Mbeumo - 5

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Sesko - 6

Heaven - 6

Ugarte - 6

Mount - 6

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Michael Carrick - 5

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Final Thoughts

A draw isn't the worst result. I think when looking at those decisions, you wouldn;t mind a point. this still means we are 4 ahead of Villa and 7 ahead of 6th.

But it's the how that's the problem for me.

Yes, the referee screwed us and it did affect the result but we cannot be blaming just the referee for this draw.

I've been saying for weeks that I don't think we've been that good. The performances have been underwhelming but thanks to results, those performances have been masked.

It's only when we play in the same fashion and we don't win that people start to say that this wasn't good enough from United.

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Other than the opening 25-30 minutes, I don't think we were that good. The penalty comes from a moment of brilliance. The second was an own goal from a corner. And other than Bruno's chance that was saved on the line, did we actually create much of note?

Bournemouth are also open. This is what gave me the confidence that we would go on to win this game because we love opponents like that. We exploit the space with our pace and quality on the break and keep picking opponents off.

We didn't do that.

I thought Sesko needed to come on as early as the start of the second half or at least after an hour.

Even with ten men, I didn't like the subs made by Carrick. I believe that if we went a little more offensive and took the risk, we would've been rewarded. Of course you would leave yourself open for their counter but Bournemouth weren't really doing anything even with the man advantage.

If we created that one chance and took it, I think we would've won.

Had Carrick tried this - whether we won or not - a part of me would've been impressed with the interim taking the gamble.

He didn't and preferred the safer option which given the circumstances, was understandable, yet even still, I just wanted to see him go for it.

I was disappointed with the performance but the issue is that this is becoming the norm.

We should be expecting much better.

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Man Utd draw 2-2 at Bournemouth | Image via Manchester United official X (@ManUtd)