Preview: In-form Manchester United welcome Bournemouth to Old Trafford
Manchester United have the chance to move up the Premier League table on Monday evening as they host a Bournemouth side who have not won in six games.
Ruben Amorim eyes Champions League places
Amorim looks to have turned a corner at the helm of the Red Devils, although there are still the odd moments of inconsistency that plague the side.
Impressive wins over Liverpool and Brighton were followed by disappointing draws with Nottingham Forest and Tottenham. Even Everton managed to get in on the party, winning at Old Trafford for the first time since 2013.
Since then, the club have defeated Crystal Palace and Wolves, with a draw against West Ham sandwiched in between.
Things clicked at Molineux. United managed 27 shots throughout the match, creating eight big chances in the process.
Bruno Fernandes was superb, registering three goal contributions, creating five big chances and playing 12 passes into the final third.
He thrived playing behind Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha and Amorim will be looking for more of the same against the Cherries.
Another performance like the one on display at Molineux and Man United will be right in the hunt for a Champions League spot next term.
Bournemouth are in freefall
After a decent start to the Premier League season, Andoni Iraola’s men have been in freefall recently.
The Cherries’ last win came against Forest on October 26. Across their six subsequent fixtures, they have scored just five times, conceding 13 goals in the process.
This run of two points from 18 has seen them plummet down the league table. Indeed, at the time of writing, Iraola’s men currently sit 15th, albeit seven points clear of 18th placed West Ham.
Bournemouth can perhaps take solace in the fact they have a wonderful record when playing United at Old Trafford in December.
Last year, the Cherries sealed a sublime 3-0 win and this came 12 months on from a 3-0 win at the Theatre of Dreams in the 2023/24 season.
Lighting couldn’t strike three times, could it?
Team news
Amorim will have plenty on his mind ahead of the tie regarding team selection. Three of his players – Mbeumo, Amad and Noussair Mazraoui – will leave this week to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations.
The manager is keeping their availability under wraps, however, with FIFA setting a date of Monday 15 December to release players for the tournament.
Elsewhere, Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire remain absent, while Benjamin Šeško is recovering from a bout of food poisoning and might not make the squad.
Iraola will be missing Ryan Christie, Matai Akinmboni and Ben Gannon Doak due to injury, with Lewis Cook suspended for the clash.
Prediction
The home side might come into this clash missing several key players, but Amorim will be feeling positive after dominant 4-1 win over Wolves last week.
Despite the Cherries enjoying a couple of excellent results at Old Trafford in recent seasons, the Red Devils will enact their revenge on Monday evening.
Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Bournemouth.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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