Manchester United will be a buoyant side as they prepare to face Bournemouth against whom they will be kicking off the weekend’s action.
Jose Mourinho-led Manchester United won the first major trophy of the season as they overcame a resilient and a superior Southampton side to win the match 3-2. The Red Devils were 2-0 up against the run of play but a Manolo Gabbiadini goal just before half-time swung the game’s balance and the Saints completely swamped United’s half after the restart and deservedly got back level through the brilliant Gabbiadini, whose goal was wrongly disallowed in the first half.
But with their tails up, United will now focus on the League where they are now just a point behind Liverpool with a game in hand. United have been in the 6th spot for what seems like an eternity now but credit must be given to them for sticking to the task and winning games and they have a realistic chance of now getting further up the table and challenge for the Top 4 spots. Bournemouth have crumbled against the bigger sides and anything other than a home win for the Old Trafford outfit is difficult to comprehend.
Mourinho will play his strongest side as the focus now shifts to the Premier League which has always had the first priority.
TRIVIA
- This will be the fourth Premier League meeting between the sides, with United winning two of the previous three (L1).
- Manchester United have a 100% home win record against Bournemouth in all competitions, winning all five of their previous games against the Cherries at Old Trafford, scoring 15 goals while conceding just once.
- Wayne Rooney has scored a goal in each of his two previous appearances against Bournemouth, including one in last season’s 3-1 home win on the last day of the season. He also provided an assist in that game.
- Rooney has never scored in his first three Premier League appearances against a particular club and could achieve this feat if he scores against the Cherries.
- Bournemouth goalkeeper Artur Boruc has never kept a clean sheet against Man Utd at Old Trafford in four previous attempts (two with Southampton, two with Celtic), conceding nine goals.
- Manchester United are unbeaten in their last 16 league matches since losing to Chelsea in October (W9 D7 L0) – the longest unbeaten run seen in the Premier League this season.
- Bournemouth have lost their last four Premier League matches – they haven’t lost five successive league games since March 2013, while in the third tier.
- The Cherries have won the fewest points in the Premier League in 2017 (2), while also conceding 20 goals; seven more than any other team in this period.
TEAM NEWS & PREDICTED LINE-UP
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1)
Henrikh Mkhitaryan is said to be making good progress after his slight injury. Michael Carrick has recovered from his calf injury and could start after coming on at Wembley, while Wayne Rooney could make his first appearance after sustaining a muscle injury.
De Gea; Valencia, Bailly, Rojo, Blind; Pogba, Herrera; Lingard, Mata, Martial; Ibrahimovic
BOURNEMOUTH (4-2-3-1)
Eddie Howe is expected to be without Simon Francis for the trip to Manchester, while Jordon Ibe is still doubtful. Adam Federici and Callum Wilson are long-term absentees and will be missed.
Boruc; Smith, Mings, Cook, Daniels; Surman, Arter; Fraser, Wilshere, Pugh; King
BETTING ODDS
MANCHESTER UNITED- 1/4
DRAW- 11/5
BOURNEMOUTH- 13/1
TRIVIA COURTESY- OPTA
