Manchester United vs. Bournemouth: Team News, Preview, Live Stream, TV Info
Manchester United can move up into the Premier League's top four on Saturday lunchtime, as they host a struggling Bournemouth side at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils should be full of confidence after their win in the EFL Cup final against Southampton on Sunday, and they will see this as a wonderful opportunity to keep momentum going. Three points here would put the pressure on their rivals for a UEFA Champions League spot who play later in the weekend.
Bournemouth, meanwhile, are beginning to look like genuine contenders for relegation. Manager Eddie Howe's men are sat in 14th place, but they are just four points clear of the drop zone and have lost five of their last six Premier League matches.
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It's a fixture that potentially has huge connotations at both ends of the table. Here are all the important details you need ahead of the contest.
Date: Saturday, March 4
Time: 12:30 p.m. (GMT), 7:30 a.m (ET)
TV Info: Sky Sports 1 (UK), NBC Sports (U.S.)
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK), NBC Sports App (U.S.)
Teams News
Manchester United: After missing Sunday's EFL Cup final win over Southampton, Henrikh Mkhitaryan is a big doubt with a hamstring issue. Phil Jones also has a hamstring problem.
Likely XI: David De Gea; Antonio Valencia, Chris Smalling, Eric Bailly, Daley Blind; Michael Carrick, Ander Herrera, Paul Pogba; Juan Mata, Anthony Martial, Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Bournemouth: Howe will be without Simon Francis, who is still recovering from the hamstring problem he picked up against Everton last month. Callum Wilson is a long-term absentee, while Jordon Ibe also sat out the loss to West Bromwich Albion last time out.
Likely XI: Artur Boruc; Adam Smith, Steve Cook, Tyrone Mings, Charlie Daniels; Andrew Surman, Harry Arter, Jack Wilshere; Ryan Fraser, Josh King, Benik Afobe
Injury details courtesy of the PhysioRoom.
Preview
Although United were far from fluent against Southampton at Wembley Stadium, the nature of the result means there's a feel-good factor engulfing Old Trafford at the moment.
Much of that is down to the wonderful exploits of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The mercurial Swede slammed home a free-kick to open the scoring against Saints, and after United were pulled back to 2-2 in the second period, he was on hand to head home a late winner in the 3-2 triumph.
The 35-year-old has established himself as the alpha figure for United in less than a season at the club. These numbers from Sky Sports Statto sum up just how key he is to manager Jose Mourinho's team:
United will feel that playing first this weekend gives them a big chance to apply some pressure in the pursuit for a top-four finish, especially with the other sides in the hunt facing some difficult matches over the weekend.
Liverpool and Arsenal, both ahead of United in the league, will go head-to-head on Saturday evening at Anfield. On Sunday, Tottenham Hotspur, five points ahead of the Red Devils in second, will host in-form Everton, who are a place behind United in the table.
Per Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News, a win against the Cherries would see United make progress up the table for the first time in a long time:
Ibrahimovic will fancy his chances of adding to his 15 Premier League goals this season when Bournemouth come to town on Saturday.
Howe's side enjoyed a fine start to the campaign, picking up impressive wins against Everton and Liverpool in 2016. But the new calendar year has triggered a worrying slump, the frequent concession of cheap goals and growing concerns about a possible relegation battle.
As noted by World Soccer Talk's Kartik Krishnaiyer, a miracle save from Ben Foster consigned the Cherries to yet another loss in their last outing at the Hawthorns:
Howe has some big decisions to make. While Josh King has thrived up top in recent weeks, the Cherries are clearly missing the physicality of the stricken Wilson. And the back four lacks any kind of cohesion without Francis’ organisation. It's difficult to see these problems being remedied in time for Saturday.
United, by contrast, are starting to fall into a mechanical groove under Mourinho. Recent performances haven't made for sparkling entertainment, but the manager knows that at this point of the season, only wins matter. They'll get another one here.
