Manchester United are back in Premier League action on Sunday afternoon as they welcome Bournemouth to Old Trafford.
Defeat at Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup on Thursday means United’s campaign now revolves around their potential success in the Europa League and FA Cup. Ruben Amorim’s side succumbed to a 4-3 defeat in N17 following a bonkers quarter-final which should come with a trigger warning for goalkeeper purists.
United won dramatically at the Etihad last time out in the Premier League, but Amorim’s Red Devils are 13th in the table. However, just three points separate them and Sunday’s opponents, who lie in sixth.
Bournemouth won handsomely at the Theatre of Dreams last season and have emerged as the division’s giant-killers this term. The Cherries have already downed Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham at the Vitality, with Andoni Iraola having supporters dreaming of European football.
Here is 90min’s guide to Sunday’s Premier League clash.
Man Utd vs Bournemouth H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Current form (all competitions)
Man Utd | Bournemouth |
|---|---|
Tottenham 4-3 Man Utd – 19/12/24 | Bournemouth 1-1 Man Utd – 16/12/24 |
Man City 1-2 Man Utd – 15/12/24 | Ipswich Town 1-2 Bournemouth – 08/12/24 |
Viktoria Plzen 1-2 Man Utd – 12/12/24 | Bournemouth 1-0 Tottenham – 05/12/24 |
Man Utd 2-3 Nottingham Forest – 07/12/24 | Wolves 2-4 Bournemouth – 30/11/24 |
Arsenal 2-0 Man Utd – 04/12/24 | Bournemouth 1-2 Brighton – 23/11/24 |
Country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | Not televised – live radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra |
United States | Peacock |
Canada | fuboTV Canada |
Amorim has suggested there could be a return to the matchday squad for Marcus Rashford on Sunday after the forward was left out of United‘s victory in the Manchester Derby and Thursday’s defeat to Tottenham.
Alejandro Garnacho was back in action in midweek, but will likely sit among the substitutes again this weekend.
The United boss has confirmed that Mason Mount’s latest injury will keep him out for a few weeks, with the Englishman joining Luke Shaw on the sidelines. Victor Lindelof was forced off against Spurs and is unlikely to play a part at Old Trafford.
Man Utd predicted lineup vs Bournemouth (3-4-2-1): Onana; De Ligt, Maguire, Martinez; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Mainoo, Dalot; Amad, Fernandes, Zirkzee.
Evanilson took a couple of knocks in the draw with West Ham United and could perhaps earn some respite on Sunday given that Enes Unal came off the bench and scored a screamer on Monday night.
The Cherries are still without Alex Scott and Luis Sinisterra, although the pair could make their respective returns before the end of the year. Marcus Tavernier is a relatively new addition to the treatment table and his absence will come as a big blow for Iraola’s side. Julian Araujo and Marcos Senesi are also sidelined for the long haul.
Bournemouth predicted lineup vs Man Utd (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Smith, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Adams, Christie; Semenyo, Kluivert, Ouattara; Unal.
Amorim is laying foundations, but teething issues remain in all phases. There’s reason for encouragement, but United are not yet a side that can consistently perform what the new manager asks of them game-by-game.
Bournemouth are well prepared to pick apart the holes in Amorim’s framework, and their directness will doubtlessly give the Portuguese coach plenty to consider. The Cherries were 3-0 winners on this ground last season, meaning United will be keen to get their own back after the pair drew 2-2 in the reverse fixture.
Just three points separate these two sides in the table, and these two sides could play out at stalemate on Sunday.
Prediction: Man Utd 1-1 Bournemouth
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