Rasmus Hojlund's very late equaliser against Bournemouth gave Manchester United's tireless away fans something to cheer in the south-coast sunshine on Sunday afternoon, at the end of a difficult 90 minutes for Ruben Amorim's Reds.
For much of the contest, it appeared that United were heading for another Premier League defeat, but a red card for Cherries forward Evanilson helped us turn the tide in the final quarter of the game, where we created numerous chances.
Come full-time, a potentially dark day had been transformed into a quietly positive one, thanks to Hojlund's goal, with United's fighting spirit in strong evidence and other areas of the pitch offering some notes of optimism ahead of Thursday's huge European game against Athletic Club.
Come full-time, a potentially dark day had been transformed into a quietly positive one, thanks to Hojlund's goal, with United's fighting spirit in strong evidence and other areas of the pitch offering some notes of optimism ahead of Thursday's huge European game against Athletic Club.
From Luke Shaw's return to Hojlund's potentially momentum-shifting goal, read on for our nuggets of analysis from Sunday's dramatic game...
HOPE FOR HOJLUND
Rasmus Hojlund will score many, many better goals in his career. He will score more important ones, too. Salvaging a draw at Bournemouth to solidify our grip on 14th place in the league is not exactly cause to get the Dom P. on ice.
But that 96th-minute poke could be a vital moment in United's season, and the player's, of course. It's well over a month since Rasmus's last strike (an excellent opener in our 3-0 win at Leicester) and what impact could this simple tap-in have on his confidence ahead of the biggest week or our season? The Dane is one of the top scorers in this year's Europa League, don't forget, with five. Let's hope there's a few more still to come.
Rasmus Hojlund will score many, many better goals in his career. He will score more important ones, too. Salvaging a draw at Bournemouth to solidify our grip on 14th place in the league is not exactly cause to get the Dom P. on ice.
But that 96th-minute poke could be a vital moment in United's season, and the player's, of course. It's well over a month since Rasmus's last strike (an excellent opener in our 3-0 win at Leicester) and what impact could this simple tap-in have on his confidence ahead of the biggest week or our season? The Dane is one of the top scorers in this year's Europa League, don't forget, with five. Let's hope there's a few more still to come.
SHAW RETURNS
It's more than 14 months since Luke Shaw last started a Manchester United game – though the left-footed defender did start in the Euro 2024 final for England during that period of domestic absence. Shaw's return to availability could scarcely come at a better time for head coach Ruben Amorim, who is currently without Diogo Dalot and Matthijs de Ligt, just days before that crunch Europa League semi-final first leg away to Athletic Club of Bilbao.
Shaw would concede he is not up to full capacity yet, with just a few substitute appearances preceding the Bournemouth game. But he showed glimpses of what he can offer on Sunday: huge experience, unflappable composure on the ball and, of course, those trademark barrelling runs and crosses down the left flank. He also completed the game, suggesting he is physically almost back to his best. If United are to earn that much-thirsted-for second trip to Bilbao later in May, you sense Shaw's comeback might be a key factor.
MAZRAOUI CONVINCES OUT WIDE
No United player had made more appearances for United this season ahead of Sunday's trip to Bournemouth than Diogo Dalot, so the recent news that the Portuguese defender is set to be absent for the next few games came as a significant blow for the team.
Dalot's strength and consistency in that right wing-back role has given Amorim one less thing to worry about in recent months, but ahead of our biggest game of the season on Thursday, Dalot's absence presents a real quandary.
But in Bournemouth, the return of Shaw allowed Leny Yoro to slot in at right centre-back, freeing Noussair Mazraoui to step out to the right flank. And the Morocco international was solid, looking positive and aggressive in attack and committed in defence. There was even a remarkable seal-like flurry of head bobbles during the first half, which drew some gasps around the stadium – and even the press box.
HAS AMORIM FOUND HIS NO.10s?
The result might not have gone our way on the south coast, but there was some encouragement, in my opinion, via the performances of Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo in the no.10 roles that are so pivotal in Amorim's 3-4-2-1 system.
Garnacho came close three times in the first half alone, while we saw more of Mainoo's fabled close control inside the penalty area and within the final third. The creativity of that pair means Bruno Fernandes can roam a little more freely between defence and attack. Goals have not been flowing recently, and nor did they in Dorset, but there was some promise here in flashes.
SOME CLUES TO THURSDAY'S LINE-UP?
Some Reds expected Amorim to rotate for this fixture, resting some of his key players as he did at Newcastle recently. Casemiro, for example, did not feature at St James' Park, and then four days later, played all 120 minutes against Lyon, ultimately deciding the game in extra-time with three big contributions to all of United's crucial late goals.
But Ruben went something close to full strength against Bournemouth, starting Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro and Harry Maguire, just a few days before that trip to the Basque Country. Pre-match, the boss also mentioned that Mason Mount and Manuel Ugarte were key players in his thinking, hinting that they were named on the bench with Thursday's fixture in mind. Upon 65 minutes, Casemiro, Mainoo and Maguire were replaced, suggesting they, too, could be key figures in Bilbao.