Bournemouth twice came from behind to draw 2-2 in an entertaining Premier League tussle with Manchester United, with both sides having chances in a goalless first half before an electric second that was dominated by controversial VAR decisions.
Bruno Fernandes slotted home a 61st minute spot-kick after Alex Jimenez fouled Matheus Cunha in the box, and United thought they had another penalty just six minutes later as Adrien Truffert knocked down Amad Diallo. They were too busy protesting to cover Bournemouth’s counter and Ryan Christie produced a lightning-quick equaliser.
After the visitors retook the lead through a James Hill own goal, the momentum again swung the other way as Harry Maguire’s dream day - having received an England recall earlier on - turned into a nightmare. The veteran pushed Evanilson in the box and he was handed a straight red, with Eli Junior Kroupi converting.
But the penalty decisions were the big talking point. “One is rewarded as a penalty, the other one not,” fumed Fernandes, while Carrick called the decisions “baffling” and “astonishing”. Follow all of the latest from the Premier League clash with our live blog below:
Bournemouth vs Manchester United LIVE
- Report: VAR drama dominates as Bournemouth draw with Man United
- Bruno Fernandes fumes over controversial penalty decisions
- Harry Maguire sent off on day of recall to Thomas Tuchel's England
- Premier League Match Centre explains Amad Diallo penalty decision
- Michael Carrick baffled and astonished by refereeing decisions at Bournemouth
'It's frustrating for the small players': Bruno Fernandes on Amad decision
10:27 , Jamie Braidwood“Amad is getting to a point where he's going to shoot and he gets pushed - you can see that something puts him completely out of balance. It's frustrating for the small players because they always say the small players are soft and when it's the bigger players they end up giving the fouls.
“I think the other situation is a penalty but I also think the one on Amad is a penalty and that could've changed the game.”
Harry Maguire sent off on day of recall to Thomas Tuchel's England
09:27 , Jamie BraidwoodHarry Maguire’s costly dismissal tempered a day which began with him being recalled to the England squad for the first time since September 2024.
The 33-year-old reacted angrily to the decision to send him off for fouling Evanilson in the box, including shouting in the face of fourth official Matthew Donohue as he left the pitch.
Asked about Maguire, Michael Carrick said: “I’ve not really spoken to Harry, to be honest, and I’ve not seen the actual incident back.”
Michael Carrick agrees with his captain Bruno Fernandes on penalty decisions
08:27 , Jamie Braidwood“He’s definitely got one of them wrong because he’s given one penalty for us for the same thing that he’s not given one,” Carrick said.
“There’s a two-arm grab. The Matheus one he gives, the second one on Amad he doesn’t, which I think is almost identical, really.
“If you have two hands on someone in the box and they go over and they’re in control of the ball, for me it’s two penalties.
“It will be interesting to see which one they acknowledge is wrong: the one we got or the one we didn’t get.”
Fernandes on penalty decisions: 'Either one is a penalty and so is the other or none of them are'
07:57 , Flo CliffordReferee Stuart Atwell looked at an incident in the second half when Amad Diallo went down under contact by Adrien Truffert in the box, but determined it was not worthy of a penalty.
VAR agreed with the on-field decision but Atwell later gave Bournemouth a penalty for a similar-looking challenge, with Harry Maguire seeing a straight red for pushing Evanilson in the penalty area with the latter through on goal, and conceding a spot-kick, which Eli Junior Kroupi duly converted.
Fernandes said afterwards: “I think we could have gone 2-0 up, and then we ended up conceding a goal, not getting a penalty and then we get a penalty against, where more or less it's the same situation as Amad.
“One is rewarded as a penalty, the other one not. I know it's difficult for the referee to give two penalties to the same team in one game but I don't understand why VAR doesn't get involved in that situation or with Harry [Maguire] because either one is a penalty and so is the other or none of them are.”
Premier League Match Centre explains decision not to award Man Utd penalty
07:27 , Jamie BraidwoodHere’s what the Premier League Match Centre has had to say on X, on the decision not to award Manchester United a penalty after Truffert’s challenge on Amad before Bournemouth's equaliser:
“The referee’s call of no penalty for a challenge by Truffert was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed the contact was not sufficient for a foul.”
Bourmemouth boss Andoni Iraola satisfied with refereeing decisions
06:57 , Jamie BraidwoodAndoni Iraola, who referenced another potential penalty incident involving Maguire and Evanilson in the first half, was satisfied with the officiating.
“I think there are four incidents,” he said. “I think the two penalties they’ve called are clear penalties. The defenders in both situations, they lose their positions and they have to commit the foul.
“The Amad (possible) penalty, I don’t think it’s a penalty, there is no contact low.
“We complained also about the first half two hands behind the back, Maguire against Evanilson, but I don’t think it’s enough also in the same way to call a penalty.
“I think the decisions in the four cases have been correct. At least in the big decisions, I think they’ve got it right.”
Michael Carrick baffled and astonished by refereeing decisions at Bournemouth
06:24 , Jamie Braidwood“It will be interesting to see which one they acknowledge is wrong: the one we got or the one we didn’t get.
“It’s a huge moment. They don’t give it, they go down the other end and score and then it becomes all of a sudden, ‘oh, it needs to be a bigger penalty to overturn’, just because they scored, when actually it’s a penalty and it should be a penalty if you’ve already given one.
“It’s baffling really to make sense of that. And because they score, the game flips a little bit and changes.
“We defended with the 10 men after all that very well. But the penalty one is just astonishing, I have to say. One of them must be wrong.”
Michael Carrick: 'We'll take the point and move on'
04:00 , Flo CliffordCarrick was also full of praise for his side, especially after going down to 10.
“Disappointed with not winning the game after being up but under the circumstances with 10 men for what ended up being some sort of added time that we've not seen in a while, they decided to bring that one back, we managed that really well again and were really comfortable in managing that in the way we did it. So I was pleased with the way the boys finished the game.
“It's easy to let the game slip away. They kept their heads and took the point, which in the end we'll take the point and move on. Just the decision for the penalty, I don't understand how you can be one and the other and give one and not. Mental.”
Man Utd 'want more' - Carrick
03:00 , Flo CliffordOn their current league position, Carrick says: “We’re in a good place. We’ve put ourselves in this position through some good work, good results and good performances.
“We could have had more tonight but it’s not the end of the world.”
“I think we’ve made some improvements. There are things we can improve on, and we can get a lot better.
“I’m happy with the way things have gone, but we’re not satisfied. We definitely want more.”
'That's what VAR was for' - Michael Carrick
02:00 , Flo CliffordOn the similarities between the penalty shouts, Carrick continues: “Where do you start, really? Listen, maybe he's passed Harry [Maguire] and that's the right decision and he's given that. I haven't got too much of a problem, I haven’t seen it back to be totally honest, but I think if he's passed him and he's in on goal, I can understand that decision, so I'm not going we deserve everything. But it shouldn’t have happened because we should've had another penalty and the game would've been totally different and then it ended up in chaos after that. It is what it is.”
These moments “absolutely massive,” he adds. “That's what VAR was for. Clean it up and consistency. Surely whatever they think, if one's been given there's enough people to decide that it's the same as the first. It's two different decisions, so a bit baffling really.”
'Can't get my head around it' - Michael Carrick on penalty controversy
01:00 , Flo CliffordMichael Carrick tells Sky Sports: “A lot happened in the end. I thought we had good chances early. Some good chances, some really good chances. I thought we had enough to be ahead and a little more comfortable in the game. We found the goal, should’ve had another penalty.”
On those penalty shouts: “You get one, you must get the other. It's pretty much identical for me, two-hand grab and so either way he's got one wrong. To give one and not give the other, I just can't get my head around it. It's crazy. Because of that they go down the other end, they score and then it's chaos after that, really.”
Bruno Fernandes fumes over controversial penalty decisions as Manchester United draw at Bournemouth
00:15 , Flo CliffordManchester United captain Bruno Fernandes voiced his frustration at perceived inconsistencies in refereeing decisions as his side were not awarded a penalty in their 2-2 draw at Bournemouth.
Referee Stuart Atwell looked at an incident in the second half when Amad Diallo went down under contact by Adrien Truffert in the box, but determined it was not worthy of a penalty.
VAR agreed with the on-field decision but Atwell later gave Bournemouth a penalty for a similar-looking challenge, with Harry Maguire seeing a straight red for pushing Evanilson in the penalty area with the latter through on goal, and conceding a spot-kick, which Eli Junior Kroupi duly converted.
Fernandes fumes over penalty decisions as Manchester United draw at Bournemouth
Manchester United pass first real test of character as Bournemouth draw showcases turnaround under Carrick
Friday 20 March 2026 23:45 , Chris Wilson at the Vitality StadiumIt may sound foolish, but this might have been the sort of game Michael Carrick was waiting for. Manchester United have just the second stalemate of his new tenure after a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth that offered plenty of drama, but while it’s a game that only offered one point for the interim United boss, it provided him with a few important lessons.
Man Utd pass first real test as Bournemouth draw showcases turnaround under Carrick
Alex Scott 'disappointed' in lack of England call-up
Friday 20 March 2026 23:41 , Flo CliffordBournemouth midfielder Alex Scott had this to say as it were put to him that there were “raised eyebrows” over his omission from the England squad.
The 22-year-old produced another industrious display and nearly scored a wonder goal but had it deflected off the post, and was awarded the man of the match.
He said: “I think, like you said, it's fuel. Obviously disappointed, everyone wants to play for their country. But in England, there's so many top players. Kobbie [Mainoo] was playing today. There's unreal players in the midfield spots. It's tough to get into that squad.
“For me, it's head down, keep focusing, keep performing, and hopefully I put myself in the best position possible for the summer.”
Criticism 'part of being a Man Utd player' - Fernandes
Friday 20 March 2026 23:30 , Flo CliffordFernandes is asked about how much criticism the players came in for earlier in the season, before this sudden revival.
He says: “It will always be like that, when you get results you get flowers, when you don't, you get criticised. It's part of being a Manchester United player.
“Demand is very high from everywhere, a lot of people with eyes on the club because it's massive. It's a lot of eyes on us but if you decide to play for this club and you play here then you are a big player and have a big personality. There are highs and lows and you have to deal with them.”
'We have lots of competition' - Fernandes
Friday 20 March 2026 23:15 , Flo CliffordFernandes continues: “Premier League is very tough and we have lots of competition. Aston Villa are close to us and Liverpool and Chelsea too.
“Our aim is to move forwards by keep getting points, we have to get away from them and the best way to do that is to keep getting points. If you want to get closer to the one in front of you you still have to get the three points.”
How the table stands
Friday 20 March 2026 23:00 , Flo CliffordHere’s how the table looks. United are on 55 points, four clear of Villa, and will remain there even if Villa win this weekend.
Bournemouth are in 10th on 42, level with Newcastle in ninth but the Magpies have a game in hand.
And the Cherries are under pressure from behind, with Fulham on 41 points and Brighton and Sunderland both on 40.
Fernandes on Carrick's impact: 'Always been part of the club'
Friday 20 March 2026 22:49 , Flo CliffordAsked about Carrick’s revival of fortunes at United, Fernandes says: “That's always been part of the club. It doesn't change with the manager in charge.
“Last weeks we've been positive with the result and that gives positive energy to the team to understand we can go anywhere and get results.
“We've been in very good form under Michael [Carrick] and today we had to suffer and we did get a point - we got something from it.
“What could be better is that we get three points in the next game which we couldn't get today.”
Tougher for small players - Fernandes
Friday 20 March 2026 22:39 , Flo CliffordFernandes continues: “Amad is getting to a point where he's going to shoot and he gets pushed - you can see that something puts him completely out of balance. It's frustrating for the small players because they always say the small players are soft and when it's the bigger players they end up giving the fouls.
“I think the other situation is a penalty but I also think the one on Amad is a penalty and that could've changed the game.”
Bruno Fernandes: 'Either both are penalties or none of them'
Friday 20 March 2026 22:32 , Flo CliffordHere’s what Bruno Fernandes has had to say on the penalty debacle.
He tells Sky Sports: “I think we could have gone 2-0 up, and then we ended up conceding a goal, not getting a penalty and then we get a penalty against, where more or less it's the same situation as Amad.
“One is rewarded as a penalty, the other one not. I know it's difficult for the referee to give two penalties in the same game for the same team but what I don't understand is why VAR doesn't get involved in that situation.
“Either one is a penalty and the other one too or none of them is a penalty.”
Premier League Match Centre explains decision not to award Man Utd another penalty
Friday 20 March 2026 22:25 , Flo CliffordHere’s what the Premier League Match Centre has had to say on X, on the decision not to award Manchester United a penalty after Truffert’s challenge on Amad before Bournemouth's equaliser:
“The referee’s call of no penalty for a challenge by Truffert was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed the contact was not sufficient for a foul.”
Mixed day for Harry Maguire
Friday 20 March 2026 22:12 , Flo CliffordIt’s certainly been a day of two halves for Harry Maguire. The veteran was handed his first England call-up since Thomas Tuchel took over, having only played one international game since Euro 2024, earlier today. Then tonight he was handed a straight red for a silly challenge and conceded a penalty as United dropped points.
FULL-TIME: Bournemouth 2-2 Man Utd
Friday 20 March 2026 22:02 , Chris Wilson at the Vitality StadiumIn the end Bournemouth might feel a bit disappointed that they failed to really put the pressure on the visitors once they went down to 10 men, but it’s still a well-earned point and a great performance from the Cherries.
For Utd, Carrick will likely feel that they got away with one tonight, though it could all have been so different if Maguire hadn’t made a silly challenge. In the end, the draw is probably the fair result.
FULL-TIME: Bournemouth 2-2 Man Utd
Friday 20 March 2026 21:58 , Flo Clifford‘90+10: That’s it! Bournemouth are unbeaten in 11 games and have another draw they’re so fond of.
Bournemouth 2-2 Man Utd
Friday 20 March 2026 21:55 , Flo Clifford‘90+7: Fernandes lets fly an attempt but it’s blocked.
Iraola looks concerned as Alex Scott is down on the ground in the box, not looking in the best way. A break in play as he’s attended to.
Bournemouth 2-2 Man Utd
Friday 20 March 2026 21:48 , Flo Clifford‘90: NINE minutes added on! Can Bournemouth make their man advantage count?
Bournemouth 2-2 Man Utd
Friday 20 March 2026 21:43 , Chris Wilson at the Vitality StadiumEmergency subs for the visitors, with Cunha and Casemiro making way for Ayden Heaven and Manuel Ugarte. Utd could lose a bit of control with the ball but it’s a necessary change with the Brazilian on a yellow.
Bournemouth 2-2 Man Utd
Friday 20 March 2026 21:41 , Flo Clifford‘82: Changes as Carrick tries to shore up in defence: Cunha and Casemiro are off, Ugarte and Heaven on.
A superb penalty by the way, lashed into the back of the net with Lammens sent the wrong way.
Bournemouth 2-2 Man Utd
Friday 20 March 2026 21:38 , Chris Wilson at the Vitality StadiumA moment of madness from Maguire! It’s a clear red card for the England defender, even if the contact wasn’t too heavy. United could be in real trouble here.
A well-taken spot-kick from Kroupi, and Bournemouth will definitely feel like they can get a win now!
GOAL! Bournemouth 2-2 Man Utd
Friday 20 March 2026 21:38 , Flo Clifford‘81: A lovely strike from the spot by Kroupi, and it’s 2-2!
Bournemouth 1-2 Man Utd
Friday 20 March 2026 21:37 , Flo Clifford‘80: And Bournemouth have a penalty. Kroupi stands over it...
RED CARD! Bournemouth 1-2 Man Utd
Friday 20 March 2026 21:36 , Flo Clifford‘78: Harry Maguire sees red!
Another huge twist in this tale. Evanilson is through on goal and Maguire pulls him down. That’s it. He remonstrates with Atwell and Fernandes comes over too to plead his case, but he’s got to go.
Bournemouth 1-2 Man Utd
Friday 20 March 2026 21:35 , Chris Wilson at the Vitality StadiumWhat a goal that would have been from Alex Scott. Lammens could get nowhere near it and in the end he’s extremely fortunate that it bounces off him and out for a corner rather than into his own net.
OFF THE POST! Bournemouth 1-2 Man Utd
Friday 20 March 2026 21:34 , Flo Clifford‘76: Nearly a sublime equaliser! Scott picks the ball up on the edge of the area and lets fly a brilliant right-footed attempt - but it cannons off the post and Lammens is extremely fortunate it doesn’t rebound off him and back into the net!
Bournemouth 1-2 Man Utd
Friday 20 March 2026 21:31 , Flo Clifford‘73: Bournemouth wanted to make changes before that corner, and now they do: Brooks, Kroupi and Smith are on, Christie, Jimenez and Adli are off.
GOAL! Bournemouth 1-2 Man Utd
Friday 20 March 2026 21:29 , Flo Clifford‘72: Another strong set-piece by the visitors, it looks like it actually took a touch off Senesi and cannoned in off Hill! Own goal, oh dear.
GOAL STANDS! Bournemouth 1-1 Man Utd
Friday 20 March 2026 21:26 , Flo Clifford‘69: VAR stick with the on-field decision, and United will not have a penalty!
GOAL! Bournemouth 1-1 Man Utd
Friday 20 March 2026 21:25 , Flo Clifford‘68: Well, well, well!
A dramatic couple of minutes. It looks like Truffert may well have given away a penalty by bringing down Amad in the box. Atwell has a look but Bournemouth keep things moving, and while United protest, Christie picks it up down the other end and finds the far corner with a brilliant shot!
Bournemouth are level - but will it stand?
Bournemouth 0-1 Man Utd
Friday 20 March 2026 21:20 , Chris Wilson at the Vitality StadiumArguably a soft penalty for the visitors but you don’t see those overturned, and it was brilliant work from Cunha to win the spot-kick.
Up steps Bruno Fernandes and he rarely makes a mistake from that distance.
GOAL! Bournemouth 0-1 Man Utd
Friday 20 March 2026 21:18 , Flo Clifford‘61: Fernandes sends Petrovic the wrong way!
PENALTY! Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
Friday 20 March 2026 21:17 , Flo Clifford‘59: Oh dear, Bournemouth concede a penalty in the sloppiest way possible. Cunha gets away from his man in the box, Jimenez pulls him back, and Atwell promptly dishes out a yellow and a penalty.
SAVE! Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
Friday 20 March 2026 21:04 , Flo Clifford‘46: A busy start by United, Cunha again is at the centre of things, releasing Mbeumo... he cuts back at the byline and flashes an angled effort which Petrovic gets down to save.
And it’s straight down the other end! Christie has a smile on his face as a speculative effort goes into the crowd. That would have been some goal.
Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
Friday 20 March 2026 20:51 , Chris Wilson at the Vitality StadiumThe reverse fixture in December was one of the games of the season and while this doesn’t (yet) have the scoreline to match, it hasn’t been a bad game for the neutral.
Both sides have had chances and both managers will wonder how this is still level, with Rayan and Bruno Fernandes missing the best chances of the match so far.
Bournemouth had just wrestled away control towards the end of the half, so it will be interesting to see how both sides start the second half here at the Vitality.
HALF-TIME: Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
Friday 20 March 2026 20:47 , Flo Clifford‘45+1: Senesi loops it in but United head away. Atwell brings an end to this half - it’ll no doubt be a welcome break for Petrovic after a busy first half.
Goalless at the break, but it’s certainly been entertaining.
Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
Friday 20 March 2026 20:36 , Flo Clifford‘36: Petrovic just got his left leg to it before falling backwards into his goal - and immense save!
United are just peppering the home goal now.
Bournemouth have a corner, it’s worked to Truffert, who sends a looping shot into the gloves of Lammens.
SAVE! Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
Friday 20 March 2026 20:35 , Flo Clifford‘35: Fernandes denied by Petrovic - did it cross the line?! He thinks it did!
Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
Friday 20 March 2026 20:23 , Chris Wilson at the Vitality StadiumGreat idea from Rayan to hit it early and it almost caught out Lammens, who did well to parry it away.
SAVE! Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
Friday 20 March 2026 20:22 , Flo Clifford‘22: Lammens dives low to his left and palms away a Rayan effort that looked to just be dipping inside the post!
SAVE! Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
Friday 20 March 2026 20:15 , Flo Clifford‘15: Cunha is running Jimenez ragged so far; the pacy Brazilian sets off again and tries to lay it off for Mbeumo in the box, but gets snuffed out.
Now Fernandes lays off a low shot which Petrovic spills, but gathers quickly before the lurking Mbeumo can tap in.
Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
Friday 20 March 2026 20:07 , Chris Wilson at the Vitality StadiumGreat chances at both ends, and both players probably should have scored. At one end there was great work from Amad before he just placed his effort a little too close to Petrovic; at the other end, Rayan had the beating of Shaw but he scuffed his effort in the end.
SAVE! Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
Friday 20 March 2026 20:05 , Flo Clifford‘5: Scott tries to intercept but the ball reaches Cunha and he sends in one of his trademark looping crosses from the left... it finds Amad in the centre of the box, he lays off a great effort but Petrovic makes a great save!
Bournemouth immediately counter and get all the way up the other end but Rayan flashes wide! It looked like he may have been trying to pick out Evanilson at the far post.
End to end!
Bournemouth vs Man Utd
Friday 20 March 2026 20:00 , Flo CliffordA big hug between Carrick and Iraola on the touchline, and we’re off!
Fernandes gets us underway.
