Manchester United and Bournemouth will aim to return to winning ways when they clash at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Gameweek 17 of the 2024/25 Premier League season will end with an action-packed Sunday. The proceedings on the day will kick off with four simultaneous games, including Manchester United vs Bournemouth at Old Trafford.
Manchester United have progressed well under the tutelage of Ruben Amorim. However, the Portuguese tactician has endured a baptism by fire in his first month as the Manchester United manager, suffering some frustrating losses. The latest setback came in the EFL Cup, with the Red Devils bowing out of the competition by losing 4-3 to Tottenham. However, Amorim will take heart from the comeback win over Manchester City last weekend.
As for Bournemouth, Andoni Iraola continues to wield the magic wand at the club. While the Spanish tactician endured a challenging start to his tenure at the Vitality Stadium, the Cherries have been on an upward trajectory in the last 12 months. The progress has continued this term, with Bournemouth rising to sixth in the Premier League standings, only three points behind fourth-placed Manchester City.
The corresponding fixture last season saw Bournemouth clinch a shock 3-0 win over Manchester United, with Dominic Solanke, Philip Billing, and Marcos Senesi finding the back of the net. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Manchester United
Ruben Amorim has a new injury concern that is hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. The Manchester United manager will be bereft of the services of three first-team players vs Bournemouth on Sunday.
Victor Lindelof is the latest absentee after he picked up a knock earlier this week in the EFL Cup clash with Tottenham Hotspur. The Swedish international has joined Luke Shaw (calf) and Mason Mount (hamstring) on the sidelines.
Andre Onana is the automatic pick between the sticks, with Manchester United lining up in a 3-4-2-1 formation in front of him vs Bournemouth on Sunday. The central defensive unit should feature Leny Yoro, Lisandro Martinez, and the resurgent Harry Maguire.
As for the midfield unit, Manuel Ugarte will likely line up alongside Kobbie Mainoo in the double pivot, with Amad Diallo and Diogo Dalot starting as the two wing-backs. Rasmus Hojlund will spearhead the Manchester United attack against Bournemouth, with Alejandro Garnacho and captain Bruno Fernandes completing the numbers in the final third.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Onana; Yoro, Maguire, Martinez; Diallo, Ugarte, Mainoo, Dalot; Bruno Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund
Bournemouth
Unlike his counterpart in the Manchester United dugout, Andoni Iraola does not have any new issues to worry about ahead of the trip to Old Trafford. The Bournemouth manager will be without five first-team players on Sunday.
Julian Araujo (hamstring), Marcos Senesi (thigh), Alex Scott (knee), Luis Sinisterra (hamstring), and Marcus Tavernier (thigh) remain on the sidelines. Scott and Sinsiterra will likely return next month, while the others will take longer.
Kepa Arrizabalaga will take his spot between the sticks, with Bournemouth lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him vs Manchester United on Sunday. The backline should feature Adam Smith, Illia Zabarnyi, Dean Huijsen, and Milos Kerkez.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Lewis Cook and Milos Kerkez in the double pivot. Justin Kluivert will reprise the no. 10 role, with Dango Ouattara and Antoine Semenyo being the two wide attackers. Finally, Enes Unal should replace Evanilson as the central striker after scoring two goals in as many Premier League outings (Evanilson has failed to find the back of the net in his last five outings).
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Smith, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Cook, Christie; Semenyo, Kluivert, Ouattara; Unal
Key Stats
- Bournemouth have won only four of their 22 matches vs Manchester United in all competitions, including three victories in 14 Premier League meetings.
- Manchester United have lost nine of their last 25 Premier League home fixtures following a 20-game unbeaten run. The Red Devils begin Gameweek 17 13th in the standings. They have not been lower than seventh at the end of a calendar year since sitting in the 15th spot in 1989. United’s tally of 22 points is their lowest after 16 matches since 1989.
- Only Liverpool, Chelsea and Nottingham Forest have earned more points across the last ten games than Bournemouth (17). The Cherries can win three consecutive away league games for the first time in a year when a run of four victories on the road included a 3-0 triumph at Old Trafford.
- Manchester United have scored nine goals in their five Premier League matches under Ruben Amorim, already surpassing the eight they netted in nine matches under Erik ten Hag this season. However, the Red Devils have conceded eight of their 19 Premier League goals from corners this season – the highest percentage of any team – including four of the seven goals let in under Amorim.
- Bruno Fernandes has scored four goals and assisted three in seven Premier League appearances since Erik ten Hag was sacked.
Player to Watch
Amad Diallo
The resurgent Enes Unal and Bruno Fernandes are viable candidates for this section. However, we have picked Amad Diallo as our Player to Watch for the game between Manchester United and Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The Ivory Coast international has provided a league-high five assists since the start of November. In addition, Diallo has found a scoring touch, finding the back of the net in his last two outings. With the youngster riding high on confidence, he will be the home side’s most potent outlet this weekend.
Prediction
Manchester United 2-2 Bournemouth
Bournemouth might be the giant killer in the 2024/25 Premier League season, having secured three major scalps thus far this term. Arsenal, Manchester City, and Tottenham have already learned the hard way that one cannot take Andoni Iraola’s side lightly.
However, the Cherries have a soft underbelly that Manchester United can exploit, especially if Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo are at their best. Rasmus Hojlund should also join the party and continue his solid run.
However, Manchester United’s struggles in set-piece situations will prove telling. Ultimately, there might not be much to separate the two sides, and The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-2 draw between Manchester United and Bournemouth this weekend.
