Analysis: 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. Despite that, Manchester United did manage to regain the lead before Harry 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 for similar circumstances to the earlier decision against Diallo.
[AFP via Getty Images] 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 Bruno 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 Harry 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 for similar circumstances to the earlier decision against Diallo. 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.