Manchester United will be desperate to return to winning ways when they face Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday.
The games are coming thick and fast across Europe, and the 2023/24 Premier League season resumes with Gameweek 33 this weekend. The action on Saturday kicks off with the game between Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur, and it ends with the match at the Vitality Stadium, where Bournemouth will host Manchester United.
Bournemouth will hope to clinch a top-half finish in the coming weeks. The Cherries have done well to recover from a slow start to the 2023/24 campaign. Dominic Solanke has driven the team’s charge under the tutelage of Andoni Iraola, who has been an exceptional appointment by the club.
On the other hand, Manchester United have endured a 2023/24 campaign to forget. The Red Devils have lost nearly as many games as they have won thus far, with the theme extending to the Premier League. Erik ten Hag’s charges have emerged victorious on only 15 occasions while ending up on the wrong end of a result 12 times (D4). Such an abysmal record has left them in the sixth spot, with UEFA Champions League qualification unlikely.
The reverse fixture saw Bournemouth clinch a 3-0 win over Manchester United, even though the Red Devils saw much more of the ball on the day. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Bournemouth
Andoni Iraola has new roster issues hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. Against Manchester United on Saturday, the Bournemouth manager might be bereft of the services of as many as six first-team players.
Luis Sinisterra (thigh) and Antoine Semenyo (calf) picked up minor injuries last weekend against Luton Town and will unlikely feature on Saturday. In addition, Chris Mepham is recovering from an illness and will not take the field this weekend. Ryan Fredericks, Tyler Adams, and Marcus Tavernier are the other absentees.
Neto will take his usual spot between the sticks, with Bournemouth lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him against Manchester United. The backline should feature Adam Smith, Illia Zabarnyi, Marcos Senesi, and Lloyd Kelly.
As for the midfield unit, Ryan Christie and Lewis Cook should pair up in the double pivot, looking to keep things tight in the middle of the park. Alex Scott will reprise the no. 10 role, with Dango Ouattara and Justin Kluivert being the two wide attackers. Finally, Dominic Solanke should lead the line for the home side.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Neto; Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kelly; Christie, Cook; Ouattara, Scott, Kluivert; Solanke
Manchester United
Like his counterpart in the Bournemouth dugout, Erik ten Hag has a new issue to deal with ahead of the trip to the Vitality Stadium. The Manchester United manager might be without as many as nine first-team players.
The Dutch tactician is sweating over the fitness of Marcus Rashford, who picked up a knock last weekend against Chelsea. Meanwhile, Luke Shaw (hamstring), Lisandro Martinez (calf), Victor Lindelof (hamstring), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Raphael Varane (muscle injury), Jonny Evans (muscle injury), Scott McTominay (knee), and Anthony Martial (groin) remain on the sidelines.
Manchester United will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Bournemouth, with Andre Onana taking his spot between the sticks. The backline should feature Diogo Dalot, Willy Kambwala, Harry Maguire, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
As for the midfield unit, Casemiro will pair up with Kobbie Mainoo in the middle of the park. Bruno Fernandes should reprise the no. 10 role, with Antony and Alejandro Garnacho being the two wide attackers in Rashford’s potential absence. Finally, Rasmus Hojlund will spearhead the Manchester United attack this weekend.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Onana; Dalot, Kambwala, Maguire, Wan-Bissaka; Casemiro, Mainoo; Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund
Key Stats
- Manchester United have won four of their last five Premier League away games against Bournemouth, including a 1-0 victory last season. However, the Cherries can achieve their first league double over the Red Devils, having won 3-0 at Old Trafford in December.
- Bournemouth have lost just two of their last 11 top-flight home matches (W6 D3), with those defeats against Liverpool and Manchester City. The Cherries can win four successive Premier League home games for the first time.
- Manchester United have failed to win their last three Premier League away games (D1 L2). The Red Devils have conceded in eight successive top-flight away matches since a 0-0 draw at Anfield in December, shipping 17 goals in total.
- Erik ten Hag’s charges have faced 554 shots in the top flight this season, just six shy of the league-high by Sheffield United.
- Manchester United have dropped 15 points from winning positions this season, their most in a Premier League campaign.
Player to Watch
Willy Kambwala
With Manchester United’s injury crisis deepening in the last few weeks, a young prospect has received the opportunity to embark on a long run in the starting eleven. We are talking about Willy Kambwala, the highly-rated 19-year-old defender.
The teenage prospect has done well in the few opportunities that have come his way. He looked the part at the back against Liverpool last weekend, with Manchester United frustrating the title-chasing Reds. Erik ten Hag now needs the youngster to continue his fine run as Manchester United prepare to hand him a new contract.
Prediction
Bournemouth 2-1 Manchester United
With the fitness issues compounding for Manchester United, Erik ten Hag has limited resources at his disposal ahead of this weekend’s clash. The returning Antony should make his mark and produce an impressive performance.
However, Manchester United’s wastefulness in the final third should set up the tie for Bournemouth. The rarest of rare Premier League double is thus on the cards for the Cherries, with The Hard Tackle predicting a 2-1 win for Andoni Iraola and his charges.
