Manchester United will look to build on the performance against Chelsea when they welcome Bournemouth to Old Trafford on Saturday.
Gameweek 16 of the Premier League begins less than 48 hours after the previous round of fixtures ended. The latest matchday starts in London, as Crystal Palace and Liverpool lock horns at Selhurst Park. The action then continues with four simultaneous games, including the one between Manchester United and Bournemouth at Old Trafford.
Manchester United have been the epitome of inconsistency in the 2023/24 season. The Red Devils have lost nearly as many games as they have won thus far this term. But they will take heart from their performance earlier this week against Chelsea, as they dominated the proceedings in their win, easing some pressure off Erik ten Hag.
On the other hand, Bournemouth’s recent run has justified the club’s decision to appoint Andoni Iraola as the manager. The Cherries are on a four-game unbeaten run, with three of their four wins of the campaign coming during this period. The latest was a comfortable 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, with the team starting to build the momentum.
The corresponding fixture last season saw Manchester United cruising to a 3-0 win over Bournemouth. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Manchester United
Erik ten Hag does not have a new injury concern hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. Against Bournemouth on Saturday, the Manchester United manager will be bereft of the services of at least six first-team players.
Lisandro Martinez (foot), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Casemiro (hamstring), Christian Eriksen (knee), and Amad Diallo (knee) remain on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho is unavailable due to his ongoing tiff with the manager.
Erik ten Hag is also sweating over the fitness of Raphael Varane. But the Frenchman might not have started anyway, with Harry Maguire usurping him as the first-choice right-sided centre-back.
The former Manchester United captain will take his spot in the central defensive pairing, where he will accompany Jonny Evans. Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot should be the two full-backs, with Andre Onana featuring between the sticks.
Manchester United will line up in a 4-1-4-1 formation in front of Onana, with Erik ten Hag utilising two no. 8s again after the system worked wonders against Chelsea. But Kobbie Mainoo will likely camp himself in front of the defensive unit instead of Sofyan Amrabat on Saturday.
Scott McTominay revels in a more attack-minded role, and he will unleash ghosting runs into the Bournemouth box. The Scottish international will join Bruno Fernandes, Antony, Rasmus Hojlund, and Marcus Rashford in the final third, with Rashford coming into the team in place of Alejandro Garnacho.
Probable Lineup (4-1-4-1): Onana; Dalot, Maguire, Evans, Shaw; Mainoo; Antony, McTominay, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund
Bournemouth
Like his counterpart in the Manchester United dugout, Andoni Iraola does not have a new issue to deal with ahead of the trip to Old Trafford. The Bournemouth manager will be without seven first-team players on Saturday.
Darren Randolph (illness), Ryan Fredericks (calf), Lloyd Kelly (hamstring), Max Aarons (thigh), Alex Scott (knee), Emiliano Marcondes (ankle), and Tyler Adams (hamstring) remain on the sidelines for the away side.
Neto will take his spot between the sticks, with Bournemouth lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him. The backline picks itself, with Adam Smith and Milos Kerkez being the two full-backs. Marcos Senesi and Illia Zabarnyi will pair up at the heart of the defence.
As for the midfield unit, Lewis Cook and Ryan Christie will pair up in the double pivot. The duo will keep things tight in the middle of the park while providing the forward thrust during transitions. Finally, Dominic Solanke will spearhead the Bournemouth attack against Manchester United, with Marcus Tavernier, Antoine Semenyo, and Justin Kluivert forming the supporting cast.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Neto; Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez; Cook, Christie; Semenyo, Kluivert, Tavernier; Solanke
Key Stats
- Manchester United have never lost a home game against Bournemouth in ten previous meetings in all competitions at Old Trafford. They have only kept a longer run at home against Reading (12) without losing.
- After winning just three points in their first nine Premier League games this season, Bournemouth have picked up 13 points in their last six games, winning three of their most recent four games.
- Since the start of October, only Arsenal (19) have won more Premier League points than Manchester United (18), with the Red Devils winning six of their eight games in that time.
- Bournemouth have won their last two away Premier League games, beating Sheffield United and Crystal Palace. The Cherries have only won three in a row on the road once before, doing so in April this year; in between these two runs, they picked up just one point in seven away games (D1 L6).
- Marcus Rashford has scored five goals against Bournemouth. Only against Leicester City (8) and Arsenal (6) does he have more Premier League goals.
Player to Watch
Dominic Solanke
The Englishman has been one of the catalysts in Bournemouth’s splendid run of form. The 26-year-old has amassed seven goals and one assist in 15 Premier League appearances, finally becoming a pivotal figure for the Cherries.
Solanke’s progress has also alerted many clubs, including West Ham United. But he remains focused on the task at hand, with a move unlikely until the end of the season. Meanwhile, Solanke possesses the quality to trouble Manchester United, with his movement and burst of pace likely to cause damage.
Prediction
Manchester United 2-1 Bournemouth
Manchester United will face a much tougher test from Bournemouth than they did from Chelsea earlier this week. The Cherries are playing their best football of the season, with the players finally grasping Andoni Iraola’s methods.
The visitors will give their hosts a run for their money, taking the game to Erik ten Hag’s men. But the new system should bring the best out of Scott McTominay again, with the Scotsman delivering the goods. The Hard Tackle predicts a hard-fought 2-1 win for Manchester United.