Manchester United survived a scare as their stunning Old Trafford record came under threat against Bournemouth.
The Red Devils were held to a 4-4 draw in an eight-goal thriller on Monday night.
Manchester United head coach / manager Ruben Amorim looks dejected during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Bournemouth at Old Trafford on December 15, 2025 in Manchester, England.
5
Amorim has been criticised after United conceded four goals at home to BournemouthCredit: Getty
Despite taking the lead three times in the match, United needed a quickfire double to avoid a record-breaking defeat.
However, Junior Kroupi's late strike forced the home side to settle for a point.
Prior to second-half goals from Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha, though, Ruben Amorim had been staring at an unwanted first.
United were at risk of losing a home match when leading at half-time for the first time in Premier League history.
READ MORE MAN UNITED NEWS
‘Miracles are impossible’ - Cristiano Ronaldo takes swipe at Man United players in defence of Ruben Amorim
It would have been the first time they had done so since losing to Ipswich Town in May 1984.
Fortunately for Amorim, the eight-goal thriller ended all square despite Bournemouth taking the lead early in the second half.
United's defensive record criticised
However, his side's resilience to battle back late on was not enough to avoid criticism for the Portuguese's approach.
talkSPORT's Jason Cundy took aim at the Red Devils' defensive record following the match.
United have now conceded 26 goals in just 16 Premier League matches this season.
Assessing the result on The Sports Bar, Cundy said: "They don't play in games where things are tight and boring, a bit dull.
Diogo Dalot of Manchester United appears dejected at the end of the Premier League match between Manchester United and Bournemouth at Old Trafford on December 15, 2025 in Manchester, England.
5
The Red Devils had to come from behind in the second half after surrendering their leadCredit: Getty
"They tend not to play in those games and sometimes, you need to be that team. You need to have some discipline about your setup.
"To go 4-3 up, and the fourth goal that Cunha scored, it's a bit of a gift. It's a bit of a gift. You've got out of jail. You really have scored two goals in quick succession.
"Don't concede the next goal in the game. Not that they concede the next goal in the game. They concede the next two or three goals in that game. It's gung-ho.
"I don't know how United are going to be the team they want to be playing like that. I don't see it."
When told the number of goals they have now conceded in the league, he added: "It can't carry on. That simply cannot carry on.
"If you want to be a serious team, defensively, and they zoomed in actually on Sir Alex Ferguson. And Sir Alex, they made the quote about 'attacks will win you games, but defences win you titles'.
Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro of Manchester United look dejected after the Premier League match between Manchester United and Bournemouth at Old Trafford on December 15, 2025 in Manchester, England.
5
United have conceded 26 goals in their opening 16 Premier League matches this termCredit: Getty
5
"And it's a saying, and some people disagree, but the sentiment remains, keep a clean sheet, we'll nick a goal. And Arsenal right now, they're as good as anyone at doing that."
Arsenal currently sit two points clear at the top of the table, having conceded just 10 goals so far this term.
Darren Ambrose was also left surprised by Amorim's tactical approach, admitting: "There was no plan B as well. When you go 1-0 up, 2-1 down, 3-2 up, you've got to see that out.
"You've got to change a little bit. He's never going to. We know that. He's stubborn. Go four at the back."
Amorim reacts
Meanwhile, Amorim told talkSPORT: "It was a fun game for everyone at home, not so fun for the managers.
"I think we started really well, I think we lost two points in the first half, you watch the game and you think we lost in the second half, but I think it was the first half.
Manchester United’s Portuguese head coach Ruben Amorim gestures from the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Bournemouth at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on December 15, 2025.
5
Amorim felt his side started well at Old Trafford but 'lost two points in the first half'Credit: AFP
"We controlled the game and to suffer a goal like that, it should be a different result at half time and then in the second half, we didn’t start the way we should."
As for conceding two goals straight after half-time, he said: "You don’t have a lot of time to think, you just think about how to change something if the team needs.
"Sometimes it’s to give something to the team if they need to control their emotions and to try and get back to the game."
“I think people here want to win really bad, you can feel it, but they also want to feel inspired and a team that sees 27 shots in the week, today 25 shots," he finished.
“So this kind of game is what they expect, but we need to defend better.”
The draw leaves United sixth in the Premier League, behind Crystal Palace on goal difference.
Read More on talkSPORT
They are two points adrift of fourth-place Chelsea in the race for Champions League qualification.
Amorim could see his side leapfrog the Blues if they win at Aston Villa on Sunday.