Manchester United will have all to play for against the visiting Eddie Howe’s AFC Bournemouth side, with the last Champions League spot up for grabs. Louis Van Gaal’s men will look to bounce back from the 3-2 defeat at Upton Park with a win at Old Trafford and will want a big favour from Swansea City who face fourth-placed Manchester City.
Team News
Manchester United
Manchester United will be without long-term absentees Bastian Schweinsteiger and Luke Shaw. Adnan Januzaj and Matteo Darmian are also out for the Red Devils, the former picking up a knock in training while the latter suffered an ankle injury in their win against Norwich.
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United will also be missing the towering Marouane Fellaini, who is out due to suspension. Ashley Young may be given some game time after having trained with the squad on Saturday
AFC Bournemouth
Bournemouth will miss their key defenders Adam Smith and Sylvain Distin, who are out due to injury and the only notable absentees. Callum Wilson may be handed a start having missed out on any action for the most part of the season due to injury.
They’ll be looking to repeat their feat from the first half of the season when they defeated United at home and will look to end their season on a high note.
Probable Lineups
AFC Bournemouth (4-2-2-2) : Boruc; Francis, Elphick, Cook, Daniels; Ritchie, Arter, Surman, Stanislas; Wilson, King
Manchester United (4-1-4-1) : De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Blind, Rojo; Carrick; Lingard, Mata, Rooney, Martial; Rashford
Form
Manchester United
Manchester United lost to West Ham at Boleyn Ground last matchday, despite going a goal up in the 72nd minute of the match. This 3-2 defeat ended their four-match unbeaten run, having defeated Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Norwich and drawing against champions Leicester City. They currently sit fifth, two points shy of fourth-placed Manchester City.
AFC Bournemouth
Bournemouth come into the match having drawn against West Bromwich Albion at home. They have been winless in their last 4 matches, suffering three straight defeats at the hands of Liverpool, Chelsea and Everton before the 1-1 draw with the Baggies.They lie 16th in the table and could finish upto 12th depending upon results elsewhere.
Key Battles
Chris Smalling vs Callum Wilson
Chris Smalling has transformed into arguably Premier League’s best defender and won his club’s Players’ Player of the Year award. He will be up against Callum Wilson this time, who had been excellent at the start of the season.
The Cherries’ striker has been away from action for quite some time following injury though and Smalling will be the favourite to come out on top.
Marcus Rojo vs Matt Ritchie
Marcus Rojo has looked very shaky at the back for United in the previous games and Eddie Howe’s men will look to capitalise on this noticeable weak link. Matt Ritchie, who scored the equalizer against West Brom will be playing along Rojo’s wing and will surely look to beat the United man with pace and trickery.
Anthony Martial vs Simon Francis
Anthony Martial has been a constant threat all through the season for United, using his pace and dribbling to skip past defenders. He has the confidence to run at the defenders and take them head on. Bournemouth’s right back Simon Francis will need to stop United’s top scorer if they are to have a chance to pull off a historic double over the Red Devils.
Prediction
Manchester United have had trouble notching up goals, but have looked good defensively barring some off days. United’s main problem has been set pieces and Bournemouth will look to capitalise on this. But with all to play for and more at stake, you feel United will edge through.
Manchester United 1-0 Bournemouth
