Manchester United need to tighten their grip on third place once they tackle Bournemouth in tonight’s Premier League motion.
After that setback against Newcastle United, Michael Carrick’s side responded emphatically at home to Aston Villa last weekend with Bruno Fernandes again at the guts of things.
With Chelsea and Liverpool also dropping points last weekend, United can move six points clear of the chasing pack tonight – and move inside 4 of second place Manchester City who’re preoccupied with the Carabao Cup this weekend.
The reverse fixture between these two was a chaotic thriller at Old Trafford, ending 4-4 in November. But be warned, three of Bournemouth last 4 games have finished goalless.
Metro’s LIVE matchday blog will bring you all of the build-up, confirmed team news and starting XIs, goal updates and minute-by-minute coverage.
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Manchester United line-up
Manchester United: Lammens, Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw, Mainoo, Casemiro, Amad, Fernandes, Cunha, Mbeumo.
Subs: Bayindir, Fredricson, Malacia, Yoro, J. Fletcher, T. Fletcher, Lacey, Mantato, Obi
Two changes for Bournemouth
Andoni Iraola makes two changes from the goalless draw with Burnley last Saturday.
Alex Jimenez replaces Adam Smith at right-back, while Amine Adli is preferred to Junior Kroupi in attack.
Unchanged for Manchester United
Michael Carrick has stuck with the identical starting XI from their 3-1 victory against Aston Villa at Old Trafford last weekend.
The one swap in your entire squad sees 21-year-old centre-back Tyler Fredricson replace Noussair Mazraoui on the bench.
Bournemouth line-up
Bournemouth: Petrovic, Jimenez, Hill, Sensei, Truffert, Christie, Scott, Adli, Rayan, Tavernier, Evanilson
Subs: Mandas, Brooks, Gannon-Doak, Smith, Diakite, Kroupi, Unal, Toth, Milosavljevic
Rating prediction
Alan Shearer gave Metro his Premier League predictions earlier today – here’s his verdict for Bournemouth vs Manchester United…
It is a really good game and a troublesome one to predict. Man United could keep their run going after they bounced back rather well from their defeat at Newcastle.
I assume due to the situation that Michael Carrick has put Man United in, then they need to go there with full belief and confidence. Away from home, they were really poor at Newcastle, but we’ll should wait and see whether that’s something they need to have a look at. Michael Carrick has put them in an excellent position for Champions League football, and I don’t expect them to get beaten against Bournemouth. I’m going to say a draw.
Prediction – Draw
Form guide
Manchester United head into this game off the back of a 3-1 win at home to Aston Villa last Sunday.
Michael Carrick’s side have won 4, drawn one and lost one among their last six Premier League games.
Bournemouth, meanwhile, have drawn 4 Premier League games in a row and their most up-to-date result was a goalless stalemate away to Burnley last Saturday.
Team news shortly…
Team news should land at 6.45pm but we all know Manchester United can be without Lisandro Martinez, Patrick Dorgu and Matthijs de Ligt are out as a result of injury.
Bournemouth can be without Tyler Adams, Julio Soler, Lewis Cook and Justin Kluivert.
Methods to watch Bournemouth vs Manchester United
You’ll be able to watch the match survive Sky Sports Essential Event and Sky Sports Premier League with streaming also available through the Sky Go app and NOW TV for subscribers.
Bournemouth vs Manchester United kick-off time
Bournemouth vs Manchester United kicks off tonight (Friday, 20 March) at 8pm.
Welcome
Good evening and welcome to Metro’s live coverage of Bournemouth vs Manchester United – kick-off is at 8pm…
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