Semenyo on fire in England as Manchester United struggles continue
On a weekend when rivals Liverpool equaled Manchester United’s record of 20 top-flight titles, the Red Devils seemed destined for another unwanted piece of history, with their decline reaching new depths.
Antoine Semenyo’s 23rd-minute goal for European hopefuls Bournemouth put Manchester United on the brink of their 16th league defeat of the season — a milestone they’ve never reached in the Premier League era and one not seen in 35 years.
Fortune appears to favour the woeful, however. Evanilson’s harsh 70th-minute sending off gave the visitors the momentum as Rasmus Hojlund bundled in a 96th-minute leveller from close range.
The jubilation in the away end was wild, but perhaps just for show. United’s state remains bleak, in 14th and a world away from life on Merseyside right now – a team that actually has cause to celebrate.
Boss Amorim and shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe, in the stands at the Vitality Stadium, should be more worried about themselves.a on several occasions.
It is laughable that, in the most dire of seasons, United could still emulate Liverpool by lifting silverware this season, but boss Amorim is somehow still dreaming of just that with a Europa League semi-final first leg at Athletic Bilbao on Thursday.
Not that Bilbao should be concerned. Bournemouth weren’t, and Andoni Iraola will feel his side deserved a valuable three points that would have put them in the driving seat for continental football.
Instead, there is still a mountain to climb with four games left.
Harry Maguire spoke pre-match of the similarities between Bilbao’s style of play and Bournemouth’s, making this the perfect European warm-up in the south coast sunshine.
