Match Preview: Manchester United vs Bournemouth
Manchester United vs Bournemouth | Premier League | Old Trafford | 4/07/20 KO: 15:00 | BT Sport
It feels like an age since Manchester United were swimming in a sea of positivity. So much so I think fans have forgotten how to swim. Many have decided to err on the side of caution and not fully allow themselves to get swept away in the euphoria of our scintillating displays.
However, there is a lot to be excited about in this Manchester United team. The midfield trio, the solid back four and clinical forwards has put us in good stead to achieve our goal of Champions League football next season. Manchester United take on Bournemouth back at Old Trafford as they look to continue their strong return.
How do Manchester United look?
Embed from Getty ImagesOle Gunnar Solskjaer has managed the return back to football brilliantly on many fronts. The club’s overall fitness is further evidence of United’s post Lockdown success.
Unlike other clubs we’ve seen in the Premier League over the past few games, Manchester United have managed to navigate through their games unscathed. However the manager did confirm in his Press Conference that Phil Jones and Axel Tuanzebe are still absent due to injury. Saying that, Phil Jones, Axel Tuanzebe and injuries are words that have become synonymous with each other. With Tuanzebe likely to miss the rest of this season, Ethan Laird has been added to the first team Premier League squad.
Our last fixture vs Brighton, saw Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes substituted after an hour after the game was wrapped up 3-0. I’d expect the two to be heavily involved once again this Saturday.
Opposition: Bournemouth
The Premier League dream for Bournemouth seems to be hanging in the balance after a disappointing campaign. The Cherries are pretty much doomed to playing in the a Championship next season.
Eddie Howe’s side are without a win since returning from Lockdown, and have lost 4 league games consecutively for the the third time this season. The South coast sides’ record away from home isn’t any better reading losing 10 of their last 11 away games. Incidentally, their last away win was at Stamford Bridge in December.
Solskjaer rightly pointed out in his Press conference that despite on paper our remaining games seem easy, they are exactly the sort of teams we dropped points to earlier this campaign. United left southern England in the reverse fixture with 0 points as Josh King winner saw us embarrassed. Fingers crossed nothing like that is on the cards this time out at Old Trafford.
Key Stats
Manchester United are 15 games unbeaten, a run stretching back to January.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe last time Bournemouth visited Old Trafford, Marcus Rashford was on the scoresheet. He is yet to score since the League’s return. Pogba also managed to bag a brace in the 4-1 victory.
The Cherries haven’t scored in open play 5 hours and 51 minutes of football. 53% of their goals have come from set pieces. Their last two goals vs Manchester United were from dead ball situations.
Prediction
I’d hope and assume the positivity train at Manchester United continues, especially against a poor Bournemouth side. 3-0 Manchester United.
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