- Man United earned a 2-2 draw against Bournemouth at the Vitality on Saturday
- Bruno Fernandes was the inspiration for United’s recovery, scoring twice
- Could Erik ten Hag return to Ajax? Listen to the everything is beginning podcast
Jamie Redknapp has sounded the alarm about Manchester United’s abysmal defense in the first half against Bournemouth, highlighting how “easy” it was for the Cherries to put holes in the Red Devils’ defence.
United’s defense looked disorganized in the first 45 minutes, with Willy Kambwala and Diogo Dalot leaving huge spaces in their defensive line which Bournmouth willingly took advantage of.
Dominic Solanke was one of the beneficiaries of the Red Devils’ lack of concentration, turning around Kambwala before firing a long-range shot past Andre Onana into the bottom left corner.
Bruno Fernandes struck back from close range to level the score, but Bournemouth continued to look strong in attack. Marcos Senesi advanced and found Justin Kluivert in a space between Dalot and Kambwala on the left side of the penalty area, before firing inside the near post to put the hosts 2-1 up.
In his analysis of the goal, Redknapp believed Bournemouth were targeting United’s weaknesses on the left side of the pitch.
Jamie Redknapp criticized Man United’s defense during their 2-2 draw against Bournemouth.
Justin Kluivert took advantage of gaps in Man United’s defense to put the Cherries up 2-1
The result means United move up to seventh in the table and are now 10 points off the top four.
‘It’s so easy and why wouldn’t you do it?’ the former Liverpool player told Sky Sports.
‘Kambwala is caught and is pointing and trying to organize things. If you are not sure you have to go mark it.
“The ball comes to Kluivert, he cuts inside and he hits a similar shot to Solanke, ferocious at that near post and it’s very difficult to stop it and it’s been very dangerous, but someone just has to go out and pick it up.”
Despite their defensive weaknesses, United were given a lifeline after Fernandes equalized once again, this time from the penalty spot.
Bournemouth could have sealed a last-gasp victory after Kambwala appeared to bring down Ryan Christie on the edge of the penalty area.
After the VAR review it was decided that the foul had occurred just outside the area, so Ten Hag’s team breathed a sigh of relief.
To try to change things, Erik ten Hag disconnected Alejandro Garnacho at half-time and Redknapp gave a critical assessment of the Argentine’s performance.
Redknapp claimed United’s defense would have been a concern for Erik ten Hag
Dominic Solanke turns Willy Kambwala around to score Bournemouth’s first goal
Ten Hag was seen giving instructions to his defenders Harry Maguire and Kambwala.
He also criticized Alejandro Garnacho’s poor performance in the first half, stating that he was “lethargic”
“Garnacho was bad in that first half, he kept giving the ball away. He seemed lethargic and poor,” he added.
‘I understand that. But the biggest problem is the amount of time they lose the ball, they get pressured in the first half and Bournemouth just run behind their back four at will and shoot.
‘That must be Ten Hag’s biggest concern. “If you’re going to keep allowing teams to shoot on goal, you’re going to keep conceding goals.”
