With a recent defeat against West Ham United at Upton park last time out, Manchester United will be hoping to bounce back in their last premier league fixture which they will be playing against Bournemouth at Old Trafford this Sunday.
Manchester United were leading at Upton Park with Martial scoring the brace, but the side gave away the advantage and conceded 2 goals inside 5 minutes to give away the crucial lead. And with that defeat, Manchester United might have blown their chance to qualify in the Champions League next season. With just one game to show for this season, United will be relying on their rival’s result as well (Manchester City) as they will be traveling to Swansea the same day.
Bournemouth, on the other hand are sitting safely on the league table. Their last game finished as a draw against West Brom as the side came from behind to deny Rondon’s strike at Vitality stadium. The Cherries will be hoping to get a double over the Red Devils as the last time these two sides met, Eddie Howe’s men were the one who emerged victorious.
Manchester United vs Bournemouth Team News-
Manchester United will be without their long term absentees Luke Shaw, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Adnan Januzaj and Matteo Darmian
Besides injuries, the team will be without the suspended Belgian Marouane Fellaini
For the visitors, they are going to miss their important defenders, Adam Smith and Sylvain Distin. But, the rest of the team are up and running. The coach may want to start with his top striker Callum Wilson, who missed the action for a long time.
Predicted Lineup-
Manchester United-
De Gea
Valencia; Smalling; Blind; Borthwick-Jackson
Lingard; Carrick; Rooney; Mata; Memphis
Martial
Bournemouth-
Boruc
Francis; Elpick; Cook; Daniels
Ritchie; Surman; Arter; King
Wilson; Grabban
Stats-
- Manchester United have conceded fewer goals than any other team in the Barclays Premier League on home soil this season (8).
- There have been just 32 goals in the Premier League at Old Trafford, fewer than on any other ground in the top flight this season.
- Bournemouth have lost just three of their last 12 Premier League away matches (W5 D4 L3).
- The Red Devils have taken 19 points from a possible 21 in their last seven Premier League games at Old Trafford.
- Bournemouth have visited Old Trafford four times in all competitions, losing all four without scoring.
- Wayne Rooney has scored just seven Premier League goals this season; he’s never before failed to reach double-figures in a top-flight campaign with Manchester United.
- The Cherries have won just one of their last seven Premier League matches (W1 D1 L5).
- The Red Devils have netted just 46 top-flight goals this season so far; their lowest goal tally in a completed Premier League campaign is 58 in 04/05.
Stats via Eurosport
Tactics-
There is a possibility that the Dutch manager might rest Rashford for the FA cup final. If that happens, Martial will surely be playing as a center forward. The little Frenchman is a technically gifted player and can cause many problems to the Cherries’ defence.
The hosts will surely be playing their traditional possession game this Sunday, but the team will have to work with more firepower as a draw or a defeat will surely cut their chances of the Champions League qualification.
Bournemouth, on the other hand, will be looking to exploit United’s defence from the wings as Ritchie and King are the threats from the position. As observed from the last game, United should have to work more to defend the set piece and the crosses.
Prediction-
United will be going to fire all the cylinders in the game. With their qualification depending on City’s result, they will be hoping to get a win against Bournemouth.
3-0 United