Ruben Amorim believes Manchester United's failure to put Bournemouth away in the first half of Monday's enthralling 4-4 draw was what cost them two points.

Eight different players were on target at Old Trafford as United failed to win a Premier League game in which they scored at least four goals for only the third time.

They previously did so against Everton in April 2012 (4-4) and West Brom in May 2013 (5-5), with the latter match being their last under Alex Ferguson.

United went ahead twice in the first half, with Amad and Casemiro on target either side of Antoine Semenyo's breakaway strike. 

The Red Devils had 17 shots, 2.49 non-penalty expected goals (xG) and 30 touches in Bournemouth's area before half-time, with each of those figures being the most by any team in a Premier League match this campaign.

But goals from Evanilson and Marcus Tavernier put Bournemouth 3-2 up six minutes into the second half, and though Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha netted to flip the script again, Junior Kroupi came off the bench to secure a share of the spoils for Bournemouth.

And Amorim felt United's wasteful finishing in the first half, rather than their lacklustre defending in the second period, proved costly.

"It's really disappointing. It was a crazy game," Amorim told BBC Sport. "It might look like we lost the two points in the second half, but I think we lost them in the first half.

"We dominated and created so many chances. We had to go into half-time with a different result."

Bournemouth are the first side in English top-flight history to score at least three goals in three successive away games against United, and in the second half, the Cherries edged the xG battle 0.87 to 0.81, with David Brooks even going close twice in stoppage time.

Despite his frustration at dropping two points, Amorim pointed out that United's home supporters would prefer to see his team playing enterprising, attacking football.

He continued: "In the end we deserved more. It was a fun game for everyone at home.

"People, especially at Old Trafford, want us to win, but they want to be inspired to see a team playing good football. We did that well in certain moments.

"It was a good performance, but we need to be more clinical because created so many chances.

"Senne Lammens did really well, and there were opportunities for both sides. We created more. 

"We need to find ways of closing games out because this happened too many times.

"That's part of the process. We try to do things the best way we can, but in some moments it's not enough."

United face a daunting trip to Aston Villa next time out in the Premier League on Sunday, before Newcastle United visit Old Trafford on Boxing Day.