Welcome to our Bournemouth Vs Manchester United Match Preview, Bournemouth host a Manchester United side this weekend that got a great result against potential Premier League winners Liverpool in a 2-2 draw last week.
Manchester United will be confident coming into this fixture whilst Bournemouth faltered last week in a loss at Luton, which was their first loss in 5 games.
The last time these two met it was at Old Trafford and Bournemouth came away with a 0-3 win that day, though it is hard to make a case for the same happening again this weekend.
Aspirations For Top 5
Manchester United’s aspirations for clinching a top-five spot and securing entry into the forthcoming season’s Champions League hang precariously after a dismal streak of just one triumph in their preceding six Premier League fixtures.
Following the break for international matches, the Red Devils have faltered, failing to secure victory in their latest trio of top-tier clashes. Their journey included late theatrics resulting in a 1-1 stalemate at Brentford, a 4-3 loss to Chelsea, and a 2-2 draw against Liverpool on their home turf.
Despite the breathtaking second-half goals from Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo that propelled Manchester United into the lead against their title-contending rivals from Merseyside, Mohamed Salah managed to equalize for the visitors with a penalty, exploiting Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s untimely challenge on Harvey Elliott.
Amid the scrutiny intensified by new minority stakeholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe, manager Erik ten Hag faces mounting pressure regarding his tenure. Speculation abounds regarding his future as his team languishes in sixth place in the Premier League standings, trailing both fifth-placed Aston Villa, who have played an additional match, and fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur by an 11-point margin.
Although a berth in the Europa League beckons for Manchester United, they anticipate a favorable sequence of fixtures ahead. Their schedule includes clashes against Sheffield United, Burnley, and Crystal Palace, subsequent to their encounter with Bournemouth this Saturday. Notably, they have emerged victorious in four of their last six league meetings at the Vitality Stadium against Bournemouth.
Bournemouths Unbeaten Run Ended
Bournemouth’s commendable five-game unbeaten streak in the Premier League, featuring four triumphs, came to an abrupt halt last weekend when they relinquished a one-goal lead, succumbing to a 2-1 defeat against Luton Town.
Marcus Tavernier propelled the Cherries into the lead seven minutes after halftime, but Jordan Clark’s equalizer for the Hatters, followed by Carlton Morris’s decisive strike in the 90th minute, condemned Andoni Iraola’s side to their 12th league defeat of the season.
With seven matches remaining, Bournemouth has already surpassed last season’s points tally of 39, currently amassing 41 points. They find themselves comfortably ensconced in 12th place in the league standings, boasting a 16-point buffer from the relegation zone.
Bournemouth has only managed to secure a top-half finish once in their Premier League history, placing ninth in the 2016-17 season. However, an unprecedented top-seven finish, previously deemed implausible this season, remains within reach, as they trail seventh-placed West Ham United by a mere seven points, with an additional match in hand.
Bournemouth eagerly anticipates a return to the Vitality Stadium, where they have suffered defeat in only two of their last 11 home league fixtures, succumbing to Liverpool (4-0) and Manchester City (1-0). Iraola’s charges have clinched victory in their last three home matches, striving to achieve a fourth consecutive triumph, a feat unprecedented in their tenure as a top-flight club.
Bournemouth Premier League form: WDWWWL
Manchester United Premier League form: LLWDLD
Manchester United form (all competitions): LWWDLD
Bournemouth will be without Tavernier, Luis Sinisterra (both thigh injuries), and Ryan Fredericks (calf injury), with Tavernier sustaining his injury during the Luton clash. Tyler Adams (back issue), Antoine Semenyo (unspecified ailment), and Chris Mepham (illness) face fitness evaluations ahead of kickoff.
The return of Lloyd Kelly to the starting lineup last weekend was a welcome sight, while Marcos Senesi made a cameo appearance in the second half, both defenders vying for inclusion in Saturday’s match.
In the absence of Tavernier, Dango Ouattara or Alex Scott may be reinstated, while leading scorer Dominic Solanke, who netted one of his 16 Premier League goals this season in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford, is poised to spearhead the Cherries’ attack.
As for Manchester United, Raphael Varane’s absence is confirmed due to a muscle injury sidelining him for a few weeks, with Jonny Evans also out due to a shorter-term muscle ailment. They join Lisandro Martinez (calf), Victor Lindelof (hamstring), Luke Shaw (muscle), Tyrell Malacia (knee), and Anthony Martial (groin) in the treatment room.
Scott McTominay (unspecified injury) was absent from the Liverpool draw, while Marcus Rashford (unspecified injury) was substituted midway through the second half of that encounter due to a minor issue. Both players’ fitness will be assessed ahead of kickoff, alongside Sofyan Amrabat, who was absent from Thursday’s training session.
Nineteen-year-old Willy Kambwala is poised to retain his place in central defense alongside Harry Maguire, with Antony potentially returning to the starting lineup on the right flank if Rashford is deemed unfit to start.
Bournemouth possible starting lineup: Neto; Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kelly; Christie, Cook; Semenyo, Scott, Kluivert; Solanke
Manchester United possible starting lineup: Onana; Dalot, Kambwala, Maguire, Wan-Bissaka; Casemiro, Mainoo; Antony, Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund
Our Bournemouth Vs Manchester United Prediction
Bournemouth 1 – Manchester United 3
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