Perhaps this was the chance Manchester United’s goal-starved striker needed, as he had only managed one goal in 31 hours and four minutes. Almost no time to consider, right in front of the goal. Hojlund sent the ball into the back of the Bournemouth net by angling his right foot.

Was a draw deserved by United? Perhaps just about on the balance of play. Particularly after the host team was reduced to 10 men for the final nine minutes of injury time and the remaining 19 minutes of regular time.

After a tumultuous run in goal that began in mid-December and was broken up by a single goal at Leicester in mid-March, it was just what Hojlund needed.

As United avoided a third consecutive Premier League loss ahead of Thursday’s Europa League semi-final first leg against Athletic Bilbao in Spain, it might also be quite the tonic for them.

They also avoided being the sixth team this season to defeat them, which hasn’t happened since 1934, and nearly escaped suffering their 16th league loss for the first time since 1990.

Ruben Amorim’s team still faces the possibility of finishing fourth from the bottom, even though United is already saved from relegation.

It is just as likely that they will be able to salvage something from this disastrous Europa League season. The only other positive development was that, despite Noussair Mazraoui’s substitution shortly after Evanlison’s dismissal for a foul on him in the 71st minute, United seemed to escape any injuries before the journey to Bilbao.

Halfway through the first half at the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth took the lead thanks to a goal from Antoine Semenyo, proving why United is considering signing him this summer if they are unable to get Liam Delap from Ipswich and whether they can even afford his £70 million asking price.

Although it wasn’t quite enough to win, Andoni Iraola’s performance was a fantastic capstone to the South Coast’s stellar debut season, as their record number of points in the premier division reached 50.

Prior to the first leg, Amorim selected a formidable lineup, evidently determining that, with Diogo Dalot out, keeping his players healthy was worth the chance of more injuries.

Following last weekend’s loss at home to Wolves, Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro, and Casemiro all returned to the starting lineup, including Luke Shaw, who made his first start of the season after five appearances as a substitute under Amorim.

In Amorim’s back three, Shaw was used as a left center-back, allowing Patrick Dorgu to stay in his favored left position and Mazraoui to take Dalot’s spot at right-wing-back.

Prior to kickoff, Amorim stated, “I have the responsibility to put a strong team against this Bournemouth side.” “We had a full week to prepare the players, but it will be a difficult game.” In addition to aiming to win the game, I’m getting ready for the following one against Bilbao. We must add emphasis. We must maintain our focus.

The term that first comes to mind when evaluating United’s play in the first half is focus. They attempted to play out from the back far too frequently, which led to them inviting unnecessary pressure. This issue occurred multiple times before Bournemouth’s first goal in the 25th minute.

Shaw squared the ball to Dorgu, who was already feeling pressure from Adam Smith, after Andre Onana played it short to him. After stealing control and reaching the byeline, the Bournemouth skipper clipped the ball back to Evanilson, who then placed it into Semenyo’s path. After a single touch, the Ghanaian international whipped a shot inside Onana’s near post, demonstrating why he has drawn United’s attention.

Alejandro Garnacho, who had to be treated for a hard challenge from Tyler Adams in the 20th minute, gave United their best chance to tie the score before halftime. Referee Peter Bankes gave Adams a yellow card for catching Garnacho on his right ankle, but not a red card because VAR determined it was irresponsible rather than dangerous, even though it was a true 50-50.

After absorbing early home team pressure, Garnacho received a feed from Mazraoui on the right and cut inside, releasing a ferocious effort that went just wide of the far post.

Garnacho slipped in behind Illia Zabyarni, who didn’t appear to notice the danger, as Mazraoui curled a diagonal pass over the Bournemouth defense in the 38th minute, giving United by far their finest opportunity. The Bournemouth goalie made a fantastic save to tip the ball wide, but Garnacho did everything well by letting it bounce and then lifting it over Kepa.

After a United corner, shots from the Argentina winger and Mazraoui were also blocked, and Garnacho concluded the half by missing the mark once more.But in the first few seconds of the second half, Bournemouth came the closest to increasing their lead. Dango Ouattara was fed on the left by Dean Huijsen, who brought the ball out from the back. He gained ground before passing to Justin Kluivert, who set up Semenyo, who came within inches of scoring the game’s second goal with a first-time attempt that went just past the angle.

Amorim then made a triple replacement, substituting Mason Mount, Victor Lindelof, and Manuel Ugarte for Casemiro, Mainoo, and Maguire after Ouattara nearly caught Onana with a free kick from out wide on the right and rattled the post.

When Evanilson challenged a Mazraoui in the 71st minute, leaving the United player writhing in pain on the ground, Bournemouth was reduced to men. To his credit, the Brazilian appeared to slide, but as a result, he made contact with Mazraoui’s upper and lower legs with both feet.

He was given a booking by the referee, but VAR wasn’t so understanding this time. The yellow card was changed to a red, and Mr. Bankes was instructed to attend to the pitch-side monitor.

Even so, United had trouble breaking through. In the 89th minute, Bruno Fernandes slipped the outside of the upright from a distance, and Milos Kerkez had just enough on Mount’s goalbound shot to divert it wide. However, Hojlund was prepared when United had a point and the opportunity arose again.