Manchester United vs Bournemouth - as it happened: Romelu Lukaku heads hosts to victory

Re-live all the action from Old Trafford

The last encounter between the two sides ended in a 1-1 draw (Getty)

Manchester United will be looking to bounce back from their derby defeat at the weekend as they take on Bournemouth on Wednesday evening:

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• City weren't even that good - but they were far too good for United

Preview

Manchester United play host to AFC Bournemouth on Wednesday still stinging from their derby loss on Sunday and the fracas that followed.

The post-match fight in the Old Trafford tunnel has dominated headlines, and José Mourinho reacted brusquely to questions about it in Tuesday’s press conference.

But Mourinho has problems on the pitch too, with his side limp in the defeat against City, which left them 11 points behind Pep Guardiola’s runaway leaders. Romelu Lukaku’s form has been questioned in recent weeks, while Paul Pogba’s continued absence with injury leaves a huge creative shortfall in the side. However, their home form still makes them huge favourites for this match, having won every match and conceded just one goal at Old Trafford before Sunday.

Eric Bailly and Michael Carrick remain out for United, but Phil Jones is fit again and was on the bench against City. He may come into central defence for Marcos Rojo, who suffered a cut to the head on Sunday and is a doubt for the game. Marouane Fellaini is also in contention to return from a knee injury, although most likely from the bench. Juan Mata may return to add some much-needed creativity to the midfield, with Marcus Rashford the man most likely to lose out.

Bournemouth’s recent form has been a mixed bag, with three draws in their past four, and they remain within three points of the relegation zone. With a tough Christmas fixture list, playing Liverpool and Man City as well before the Boxing Day visit of West Ham to the south coast, Eddie Howe’s side may well find themselves in the drop zone at Christmas unless they can cause an upset in the next few matches.

Jermain Defoe could prove a key player for Bournemout (Getty)

A fit and firing Jermain Defoe, who relishes games against the bigger teams, could be a crucial weapon in this after his double against Crystal Palace, just his second and third goals of the season. They will also hope to rely on a defensive record which is among the best outside the top six, with Nathan Aké and Steve Cook striking up a good partnership.

Adam Smith’s return from suspension will help on the defensive side too, with the right-back having featured in 14 of Bournemouth’s 16 league games so far. Simon Francis will drop out of the side, and Tyrone Mings remains out with a back injury.

What time does it start?

Manchester United vs Bournemouth is at 20:00 on Wednesday night.

Where can I watch it?

Highlights will be available on Match of the Day, at 22.45 on Wednesday on BBC1.

It’s a big game for…

Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian striker’s hefty £75m price tag means that his every move is inevitably analysed, but his recent form, with one goal in nine league games, is undoubtedly disappointing for a player of his quality.

The 24-year-old will take solace, however, from his record against Wednesday’s opponents, scoring six goals in five games against the Cherries, including four in Everton’s 6-3 win at Goodison last year. With Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s presence bringing calls for Lukaku to be dropped, the Belgian will need to continue this form at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

The pressure is on for Lukaku to rediscover his goal-scoring form (AFP)

Best stat…

Bournemouth haven’t kept a clean sheet against Manchester United since 1984, a run stretching seven matches, and have never won a match in Manchester (P11 vs. Utd and City, L9 D2).

Remember when...

Bournemouth’s first ever league match with Manchester United ended with a 2-1 win at the Vitality Stadium, one of the most famous victories in Bournemouth’s debut Premier League season. The goals were not beauties, with two efforts from corners enough to consign United to defeat - the first of three consecutive losses as their abortive title challenge ended in a disappointing fifth place finish.

Player to watch…

Lewis Cook. England’s Under-20 World Cup-winning captain has returned to the Bournemouth midfield in recent weeks, playing 90 minutes against Southampton and Crystal Palace and clocking his first assist of the season in the latter game.

He will have his hands full trying to dominate the midfield against Nemanja Matic and Ander Herrera, as well as protecting his midfield from the running of Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial.

Lewis Cook in action for Bournemouth (Getty Images)

Previous three meetings…

Manchester United 1 AFC Bournemouth 1, Premier League, March 2017

AFC Bournemouth 1 Manchester United 3, Premier League, August 2016

Manchester United 3 AFC Bournemouth 1, Premier League, May 2016

Form guide…

Manchester United: WWWWL

Bournemouth: WDLDD

Odds…

Manchester United: 3/10

Bournemouth: 9/1

Draw: 17/4

Key Points

• United now 11 points behind rivals City
• Bournemouth three points above relegation zone
• Cherries not without a win in four

[13 December 2017 21:42 · Jack Watson]

Manchester United 1-0 Bournemouth

Dave saves again. Jermaine Defoe takes a touch past Phil Jones in the box and fires a low drive from a tight angle at the front post but David De Gea stands firms and denies the striker. 

[13 December 2017 21:43 · Jack Watson]

Tottenham 1-0 Brighton

Harry Kane has a free kick on the edge of the area, he strikes the ball through the wall and off the post. Five minutes plus added time to go at Wembley.

[13 December 2017 21:46 · Jack Watson]

Goal!

Tottenham 2-0 Brighton

Christan Eriksen lofts a cross from a free kick on the right hand side to Son Heung-min who heads in at the back post. 

[13 December 2017 21:49 · Jack Watson]

West Ham 0-0 Arsenal

Adrian has been named man of the match at the London Stadium. He's made one, maybe two saves. Woah...how did that stay out? Laurent Koscielney plays a sloppy pass across the box which is intercepted. West Ham work the ball to Javier Hernandez who shoots and Petr Cech gets a touch to flick the ball onto the bar, it bounces down on the line but goal-line technology rules it did not go in.

[13 December 2017 21:51 · Jack Watson]

Full time

West Ham 0-0 Arsenal

It's all over at the London Stadium and West Ham have taken four points from their last two games against Chelsea and Arsenal. The Gunners remain below Burnley in the Premier League table.

[13 December 2017 21:53 · Jack Watson]

Full time

Tottenham 1-0 Brighton

Son Heung-min sealed the three points for Spurs with a late header after Serge Aurier put them ahead with a cross which found its way to the back of the net. 

[13 December 2017 21:55 · Jack Watson]

Full time

Manchester United 1-0 Bournemouth

Romelu Lukaku will be delighted to have ended his recent goal scoring drought, although he did not show it. You could say United held on at the end, they did not play very well but they have three points. 

[13 December 2017 21:57 · Jack Watson]

Full time

Liverpool 1-0 West Brom

Alan Pardew has his first point as West Brom manager after frustrating Liverpool at Anfield.

[13 December 2017 22:00 · Jack Watson]

Arsenal drop to seventh but West Ham remain in the bottom three.  

[13 December 2017 22:02 · Jack Watson]

The cracks are appearing all over the place at Newcastle. JonJo Shelvey's late red card means he misses the trip to Arsenal on Saturday.