Last updated & checked: 10/08/2021
Manchester United look like a different team since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over as manager following the departure of Jose Mourinho. There will certainly be a much more optimistic atmosphere at Old Trafford for Sunday’s Premier League clash with Bournemouth. United have won their last two games, triumphing in some style over Cardiff City and Huddersfield Town, scoring eight goals and conceding two.
Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth team have lost four out of their last five games in all competitions, and seven of their last nine Premier League games. They go into this match on the back of a dispiriting 5-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley on Boxing Day. The Cherries seem to fold easily when things get tough, though, having conceded nine goals in their last three league defeats without managing to score. They did beat Brighton 2-0 at home last weekend, though.
Manchester United vs Bournemouth Prediction: Man Utd 3-0 Bournemouth
Our prediction for this game is that the home side will win comfortably. If United score an early goal then it could get really embarrassing for the visitors, giving their propensity for getting a thrashing if they lose the first goal in a game. United’s forward line is brimming with confidence now, after Solskjaer has worked some of his magic on their mindsets, and the Red Devils should have far too much power for Bournemouth’s flaky defence to cope with. We think that 3-0 looks a likely final score, though it could be more.
Our recommended tip: United 3-0
Our featured tip for this game comes from William Hill, where you can find tempting odds of 8/1 on the game ending in a 3-0 victory for the home side. United look just too strong for Bournemouth, especially at Old Trafford. A convincing win looks likely too, given that Bournemouth tend to concede a lot of goals when they are put under pressure by the top sides. That lack of resolve and United’s high morale makes a 3-0 win a very likely outcome for this game, in our view.
Previous matches
Bournemouth and Manchester United have faced each other on seven previous occasions in the Premier League. The Cherries have never beaten the Red Devils in any of those seven games. The closest they have come is a draw, which came at Old Trafford in March 2017, when the final score was 1-1.
Earlier this season, the sides met at the Vitality Stadium, with United scoring a late goal to secure a 2-1 win. Callum Wilson put the Cherries into the lead after just 11 minutes, before Anthony Martial stuck an equaliser in the game’s 35th minute. Marcus Rashford hit the winner in the 92nd minute of the game.
Top 3 Premier League Bookies
Players to watch: Marcus Rashford & Ryan Fraser
Anthony Martial, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez all look doubtful when it comes to being fit for this game, so Marcus Rashford could be a key man for the Red Devils. The England international forward has managed to score four goals in his 16 Premier League games this season, and has also provided five assists. He also offers some threat in dead ball situations, with one of his goals this season coming from a free kick.
Bournemouth’s Scotland winger Ryan Fraser remains one of the Cherries’ most potent attacking threats. Getting the ball to him will be crucial if Bournemouth want to score goals and get anything at all from this game at Old Trafford. Fraser has weighed in with eight assists in 2018/19 in the Premier League, more than any of his team-mates. He has also scored four goals and created 16 big chances, highlighting his attacking potency.
