Amorim relishing challenge of facing 'top team' Bournemouth

Ruben Amorim expects Manchester United to face a tough test when they take on a "top team" in Bournemouth as they look to continue their fine Premier League form on Monday.

United are unbeaten in their last three matches and have lost just one of their last nine outings in the top-flight, but have dropped to eighth in the table after other results this weekend.

However, they are winless in their last two home games, losing 1-0 to Everton and letting a lead slip in their 1-1 draw with West Ham.

Having triumphed 4-1 against Wolves last time out, United could go fifth with a win over Bournemouth, but they have lost their last two against them at Old Trafford, and Amorim knows it will not be easy.

"I think it's a top team, top manager with a special player," Amorim said.

"I don't look to the results. I look at the way they face every opponent. They press really strong, they are really direct in the game.

"They can play with different options in front, and that gives us a lot of options to work, to prepare the game.

"So, I expect, again, a Premier League game that is really tough, but we need to win, especially at home, and that is the goal."

Bournemouth, meanwhile, are down in 15th, having failed to win any of their last six matches following a very strong start to the campaign.

After two consecutive losses, Bournemouth earned a 0-0 draw with Chelsea last Saturday, keeping their first clean sheet since October, though it was their second straight game without scoring.

Andoni Iraola noted that defensive stability against Chelsea was their focus after conceding 13 goals in the five matches beforehand.

"[Before the past two games] we are scoring a lot, but we are conceding a lot, and sometimes it happens," Iraola said.

"We need to focus on our defensive side, and then you stop scoring, and it's difficult to get it right on both sides. But we have to continue.

"I hope we can continue like this because I think the demands of the game are going to be as difficult, or even more, because we play away against United."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Manchester United – Bruno Fernandes

Bruno Fernandes has created more chances than any other player in the Premier League this season (45).

He also leads the way for assists this term (six), despite only registering his first one on October 19 against Liverpool.

Bournemouth – Antoine Semenyo

Among players to play 2,000+ minutes in the Premier League for Bournemouth, Antoine Semenyo has had the most shots (3.1) and shots on target (1.2) per 90 minutes of any player.

The Ghanaian has also netted in each of his last two games against United, scoring once in each.

MATCH PREDICTION: MANCHESTER UNITED WIN

Man Utd are winless in their last four Premier League games against Bournemouth (D2 L2), more winless games than they had had in their first 12 against the Cherries (W9 D1 L2).

And Bournemouth have won their last two top-flight away games against United, beating them 3-0 both times. No side has ever won three in a row away against the Red Devils in the top-flight while scoring at least three goals each time.

However, Bournemouth are winless in their last six Premier League matches (D2 L4), last enduring a longer such streak between December and February in the 2023-24 campaign (seven games).

This is a run that does not couple well with United's run of just one loss in their last nine league games (W5 D3), going down 1-0 at home to Everton. They have won more points in these nine games (18) than they had in their previous 17 matches combined (16 – W4 D4 L9).

United have kept just one clean sheet in their 15 Premier League games this season, but Bournemouth have failed to score in their last two outings – they last failed to score in three in a row in their final three games of the 2022-23 season.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Manchester United – 48.8%

Draw – 25.7%

Bournemouth – 25.5%