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Friday 20 December 2024 14:47
Manchester United return to duty at Old Trafford as we host Bournemouth in the Premier League.
Ruben Amorim’s side will be hoping to put Thursday night’s narrow defeat at Tottenham in the Carabao Cup behind us and direct our full focus into Sunday’s 14:00 GMT kick-off.
We have the opportunity to win back-to-back Premier League games for the first time this season and leapfrog the in-form Cherries in the table. Our opponents currently sit sixth, three points ahead of us on 25 points, with a superior goal difference of one.
Before the game, our last before Christmas, we look at everything you need to know before Andoni Iraola’s squad arrive in M16 including: essential live coverage match coverage, the latest team news, what to possibly expect from the opposition and more…
HOW TO FOLLOW
Sunday’s fixture will not be televised live in the UK, but, as always, the official United platforms will provide services worldwide and our live radio commentary will be available. The Matchday Live show gets under way at 12:55 GMT on MUTV and will feature both pre-match and post-match coverage, either side of our radio commentary. You can tune in via the United App and ManUtd.com, where our Match Centre will have rolling updates, opinions and stats across the 90 minutes, as well as the highlights two hours after the final whistle.
TEAM NEWS
Ruben Amorim has made it clear that Marcus Rashford is available for selection on Sunday, after missing our last two games. Matthijs de Ligt sat out the midweek match at Spurs due to illness.
The head coach also revealed that Mason Mount will be sidelined for several weeks, following his early exit due to injury in the Manchester derby last weekend. Luke Shaw continues to recover from his injury and there is a major doubt over Victor Lindelof, after his first start under Amorim was cut short at Spurs before half-time.
One thing to note is Harry Maguire is one booking away from a suspension, that would kick in against Wolves on Boxing Day.
Bournemouth have five players who have missed recent games due to injury. Alex Scott, Julian Araujo, Luis Sinisterra, Marcos Senesi and Marcus Tavernier appear unlikely to be available to face United on Sunday.
OPPOSITION REPORT
As the old cliche goes, the table doesn’t lie, and Bournemouth sit in the European spots in sixth place. The Cherries have proved to be tricky competitors so far this season, taking three points from the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal.
Ryan Christie has been excellent in central midfield and he scored against the Gunners with a well-worked goal from a set-piece routine. Attacking threats Antoine Semenyo and Justin Kluivert, son of one-time United target Patrick, will need nullifying, and a special mention for striker Evanilson, who scored in three sucessive league games earlier in the campaign and is a handful up front.
The South Coast outfit had to score late to secure a point against West Ham United at the Vitality Stadium last time out, with Enes Unal converting a brilliant free-kick from long range. Andoni Iraola’s men have won their last two away games, a streak last bettered in 2022/23, when they won a third consecutive game on the road, 3-0 at Old Trafford in December.
Our last meeting was a 1-1 draw, at the Vitality Stadium, in April, with Bruno Fernandes scoring both of our goals.
DID YOU KNOW?
Opta stats show Bournemouth have scored more goals via substitutes than any other side in the top flight this season (8), while their 17 since the start of last term is bettered only by Brighton & Hove Albion (18). United have won five of our seven Premier League home games against Bournemouth, and will want to wrap up a sixth just in time for Christmas.
WHO ELSE IS PLAYING?
This weekend’s 10 fixtures are split evenly over the Saturday and Sunday. The last Premier League games before Christmas Day are listed below.
Saturday 21 December
Aston Villa v Manchester City (12:30 GMT)
Brentford v Nottingham Forest
Ipswich Town v Newcastle United
West Ham United v Brighton & Hove Albion
Crystal Palace v Arsenal (17:30 GMT)
Sunday 22 December
Everton v Chelsea (14:00 GMT)
Fulham v Southampton (14:00 GMT)
Leicester City v Wolves (14:00 GMT)
MANCHESTER UNITED v Bournemouth (14:00 GMT)
Tottenham v Liverpool (16:30 GMT)
Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated.
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Friday 20 December 2024 14:47
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