Fernandes keeps Man Utd in the driving seat for Europe
Red Devils captain key to top four as Bournemouth also push their ambitions
After AFC Bournemouth and Manchester United shared a four-goal thriller at the Vitality Stadium, football writer Alex Keble examines the implications of the result as both clubs pursue European football.
A fun and frenetic 2-2 draw at the Vitality Stadium ended with a useful point for Manchester United and AFC Bournemouth in their respective European qualification efforts.
Man Utd looked set for a typically efficient victory – one which would have ensured they would begin a three-week break at the top of the Premier League table since the appointment of Michael Carrick – until Harry Maguire’s penalty concession and red card brought the Cherries back into the competition.
Nevertheless, Man Utd remain in a strong position in the standings, largely thanks to Bruno Fernandes.
Fernandes strengthens his case for the Player of the Season title
The Man Utd captain loves this match. His goal, which opened the scoring from the penalty spot, gave him nine goals (five goals, four assists) in his last nine appearances against Bournemouth.
It also took his tally to 24 goals (eight goals, 16 assists) in the Premier League this season – just behind Erling Haaland’s 29 – and a remarkable 23 goals or assists in his last 22 matches for Man Utd in all competitions.
He also played a crucial role in the second goal, his dangerous corner deflecting past two Bournemouth players to pass goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, although Premier League rules state that this is not considered an assist (outside of the Fantasy Premier League).
Once again, Fernandes made the difference, strengthening his case to win his first ever Player of the Season award last May.
The gong has been awarded to a player from this season’s Premier League champions in each of the last five seasons, but with Fernandes just four assists short of the single-season record of 20, he could yet rise above the competition.
Games like Friday night make that more likely, despite the result. Fernandes topped the charts in tonight’s match for touches (two), chances created (three), shots (six) and crosses (10), a testament to his leadership with the ball.
He took Man Utd forward at Vitality and was at the heart of everything positive the Red Devils did. He will undoubtedly be the most important player in their journey as United look to re-enter the UEFA Champions League.
“In the last few weeks we have been positive with the results and it gives positive energy to the team to understand that we can go anywhere and get results,” Fernandes said. Aerial sports after the match.
“We’ve been in really good form under Michael (Carrick) and today we had to suffer and we got a point – we got something out of it.”
Fernandes has now created 101 league chances this season, including three in this match, and has done so in just 28 appearances – the minimum a Man Utd player has needed to reach a record 100-plus chances (since 2003/04), ahead of Ryan Giggs in 2006/07 (29).
Man Utd are assured of going into the break in third – with UCL qualification in their hands
It was a frustrating end to the game for United, but the 2-2 draw still means the club have lost just one of their 10 matches under Carrick and are now assured of sitting in third place during the three-week break this weekend.
“It’s not the end of the world at all and we’ll come back stronger after the break,” as Carrick puts it succinctly. Aerial sports.
Watch: The four goals between Bournemouth and Man Utd
His optimism is well deserved. United are six points ahead of Liverpool and seven ahead of Chelsea, who they have yet to play in their final seven Premier League games this season.
Four of these upcoming matches will take place at Old Trafford and include winnable matches against relegation candidates Leeds United and Nottingham Forest.
United can therefore rest during the FA Cup weekend and the international break, knowing that they remain very much in control of the Champions League race.
Man Utd’s next PL matches
Kroupi shines again as resilient Bournemouth hold on to top 10
Bournemouth were good value for money, their aggressive and resilient football once again proving very difficult to break down.
The Cherries, unbeaten in 11 league games, have drawn a remarkable draw this season, almost half of their 31 matches played, which pretty much sums up why they are mid-table.
But if Iraola is to get Bournemouth into Europe, he will need to turn more of those draws into wins.
Junior Kroupi could contribute to this. He was excellent in a brief appearance off the bench, playing a brilliant pass which freed Evanilson to force Maguire’s crucial foul before calmly scoring the resulting penalty.
In fact, we may have just seen the two big individual winners tonight.
Fernandes could be the player of the 2025/26 season. Kroupi – scorer of nine goals this season, seven more than any other teenager – has his sights set on young player of the season.