Manchester United v Bournemouth LIVE: Score and updates as Marcus Rashford not in squad again
Man Utd aim to bounce back after defeat to Tottenham in the Carabao Cup with Andoni Iraola’s Cherries visiting Old Trafford
Manchester United host Bournemouth in the Premier League with Marcus Rashford’s situation continuing to attract attention.
Ruben Amorim has once again made the decision to leave the England forward out of the squad, having done the same for last weekend’s Manchester derby and the chaotic midweek Carabao Cup defeat to Tottenham.
Bournemouth, meanwhile, travel to Old Trafford in form with Andoni Iraola’s Cherries looking to close in on the top four with victory.
“I think we are improving near the opponent box. We have some games that we are near the box but without real threat. You could see different things [against Tottenham],” Amorim pointed out ahead of the game. “You could see we can shoot, we are near the goal and you feel it, you really feel it. I think it is a good thing in our team.”
Follow all the action from Old Trafford with our live blog below:
How the table looks for both sides
A reminder of how both sides are doing in the league, with just three points separating them.
United sit in 13th, with just 22 points from 16 games, though they could climb as high as eighth with a win – they would go above Bournemouth on goal difference with any win today.
It’s Bournemouth who currently occupy eighth place, with 25 points, and the Cherries could go as high as fifth win a win – they’d leapfrog Aston Villa into what could be a fifth Champions League spot come the end of the season.
Match facts
Manchester United failed to win either of their Premier League meetings with Bournemouth last season, losing 3-0 at Old Trafford in December.
Bournemouth have lost five of their seven Premier League away games against Man Utd (W1 D1), though did win this exact fixture 3-0 last season.
Mason Mount injury update as Manchester United midfielder set for ‘long’ spell out
Mason Mount faces another “several weeks” on the sidelines as Ruben Amorim vowed to help the Manchester United midfielder through his injury nightmare.
Mount was substituted just 14 minutes into last weekend’s Manchester derby and the former England international has completed 90 minutes just once during his 18 months at the club.
Amorim confirmed that Mount will see a specialist after his latest set-back in an attempt to get to the bottom of his fitness troubles but said he will support the 25-year-old through his recovery.
Mason Mount injury update as Manchester United midfielder set for ‘long’ spell out
Mount is set to miss ‘several weeks’ as Ruben Amorim offered to help the former England international through his injury nightmare
Head-to-head
These two sides have met just 14 times before, though the first meeting did take place in 1982. Overall, United have won nine matches, the Cherries have won three, and two have ended as draws.
Last season, Bournemouth were victorious away against United, winning 3-0 at Old Trafford before a 2-2 draw at the Vitality in April.
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim looking forward to Old Trafford return
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is pleased to be back at Old Trafford for Sunday’s fixture with Bournemouth and eager to put smiles back on the faces of supporters before Christmas.
It has been a gruelling period for United, with three consecutive away matches since a shock 3-2 loss at home to Nottingham Forest on December 7.
Back-to-back wins at Viktoria Plzen and Manchester City appeared to have the Amorim regime up and running, but they were brought back down to earth with a 4-3 loss at Tottenham in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Thursday.
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim looking forward to Old Trafford return
United return to Old Trafford after trips to Plzen and London were sandwiched between a derby at the Etihad.
Team news
Andoni Iraola has made just one change to the side that drew 1-1 with West Ham on Monday, with American midfielder Tyler Adams coming into defensive midfield as a replacement for Lewis Cook.
Enes Unal will remain on the bench despite his goal in that match, with Evanilson leading the line once again.
Team news
Perhaps the biggest team news is the continued absence of Marcus Rashford from the United squad following his comments earlier in the week.
Amorim has made six changes to the side that lost 4-3 to Spurs in midweek, with Andre Onana returning in goal.
In defence, Leny Yoro and Victor Lindelof drop out, with Noussair Mazraoui dropping into the back three, Diogo Dalot moving to right wing-back, and Tyrell Malacia coming into the starting line-up.
In midfield, Amad Diallo and Kobbie Mainoo return, and they replace Christian Eriksen and Antony.
Upfront, Joshua Zirkzee comes in for Rasmus Hojlund.
Line-ups
Man Utd XI: Onana; Mazroui, Maguire, Martinez; Dalot, Fernandes, Ugarte, Malacia; Amad, Mainoo; Zirkzee.
Subs: Bayindir, Evans, Yoro, Casemiro, Eriksen, Antony, Collyer, Garnacho, Hojlund.
Bournemouth XI: Kepa, Smith, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Christie, Adams; Semenyo, Kluivert, Ouattara; Evanilson.
Subs: Travers, Cook, Hill, Unal, Brooks, Philip, Aarons, Winterburn, Kinsey.
Team news
The line-ups should be released within the next few minutes...
Predicted line-ups & prediction
Man Utd XI: Onana; Yoro, Maguire, Martinez; Mazraoui, Fernandes, Ugarte, Dalot; Amad, Garnacho; Hojlund
Bournemouth XI: Arrizabalaga; Smith, Zabaryni, Huijsen, Kerkez; Christie, Cook; Semenyo, Kluivert, Ouattara; Evanilson
Prediction:
Manchester United will look to kick on in the league having been dumped out of the Carabao Cup during the week. They are likely to utilise home advantage but Bournemouth will not be pushovers and the game should be closer than expected.
Man Utd 2-1 Bournemouth.
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