Preview: Manchester United v Bournemouth; Kick-off: December 13, 20:00; Venue: Old Trafford; Referee: Graham Scott
Manchester United will be hoping to avoid a derby-day hangover when they host Bournemouth in the Premier League on Wednesday night.
Jose Mourinho’s side suffered a damaging 2-1 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday afternoon, with the result leaving the 20-time English champions 11 points off league leaders City after 16 matches of the 2017-18 campaign.
United entered the weekend’s match looking to set a new unbeaten record at Old Trafford, but City secured all the points courtesy of goals from David Silva and Nicolas Otamendi, who netted either side of a Marcus Rashford effort.
Both of City’s goals came from United mistakes, but there is little doubting that Pep Guardiola’s side deserved to triumph, and the Citizens have now won 15 of their 16 Premier League matches this season to top the pile with 46 points.
It is understood that City coach Mikel Arteta suffered a facial wound as the two teams clashed in the tunnel after the match. Meanwhile, Mourinho is believed to have had milk and water thrown at him during the melee, which has brought about an investigation from the Football Association.
The loss was extremely damaging for United for a number of reasons, but with a full set of midweek fixtures in the Premier League, the Red Devils will have the chance to bounce back when they host Bournemouth.
It is difficult to imagine United clawing back an 11-point gap on this City team, but Mourinho’s side do have a kind fixture list over the festive period. Indeed, after hosting Bournemouth, they will travel to West Bromwich Albion and Leicester City in their two Premier League games before Christmas.
United will then host Burnley on Boxing Day, before welcoming Southampton on December 30. On paper, it is a nice set of matches, and the Red Devils will also have the chance to secure a spot in the semi-finals of the EFL Cup when they travel to Championship outfit Bristol City on December 20.
For all of the criticism that has come United’s way following Sunday’s result, the Europa League holders are eight points better off than they were at this stage of last season. They remain City’s closest challengers in the table, and 11 wins from 16 Premier League matches this term is far from a disastrous record.
It might well be that United have to concede the title to City this season, but there is no question that the club are finally heading in the right direction with serial winner Mourinho at the helm.
As for Bournemouth, Eddie Howe’s side currently sit 14th in the Premier League table with 16 points. They have won four, drawn four and lost eight of their 16 fixtures this term, and sit just three points outside of the relegation zone.
The Cherries have actually only lost once in the Premier League since the end of October, but they are currently on a four-game winless run which includes draws against Swansea City, Southampton and Crystal Palace.
Bournemouth are also staring at a difficult run of fixtures as they face United, Liverpool, Chelsea and City in each of their next four matches. The trip to Chelsea on December 20 is in the EFL Cup, but AFCB will take on United, Liverpool and City in their next three in the top flight.
Howe led the Cherries to a ninth-placed finish in the Premier League last season, but it does appear that they will find it difficult to reach those heights again. The south-coast club beat United 2-1 in the Premier League in December 2015, but that remains their only ever league victory over the Red Devils, who have won seven of their 12 previous meetings in all competitions.
Bournemouth did earn a point when they traveled to Old Trafford in March, however, and with United under serious pressure to return to winning ways, the visitors might fancy their chances of causing another upset.
Team news
Mourinho admitted at his pre-match press conference that he was unsure whether Marcos Rojo would be available after the Argentine picked up a head wound during the clash with City at the weekend.
Should Rojo prove his fitness over the next 24 hours, he could start in a three-man defence alongside fit-again Phil Jones and Chris Smalling. Paul Pogba is still suspended for the Red Devils, but Marouane Fellaini is pushing to be involved after recovering from a knee problem.
Further forward, Jesse Lingard could be given a rest, leaving Anthony Martial and Rashford in support of lone forward Romelu Lukaku, who has scored just once in his last nine Premier League appearances.
As for Bournemouth, Adam Smith is back in contention after serving a one-match suspension against Palace, and the defender should return to the XI.
Jordan Ibe and Harry Arter are also pushing for starts as Howe considers making changes, although the Cherries boss is expected to keep with the same front two that started at Palace as Jermain Defoe supports Josh King.
Defoe netted a brace at Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon, but the 35-year-old has failed to score in his last 10 Premier League appearances at Old Trafford.
Expected starting lineups:
United: De Gea; Jones, Smalling, Rojo; Valencia, Matic, Herrera, Young; Rashford, Lukaku, Martial
Bournemouth: Begovic; Smith, Cook, Ake, Daniels; Stanislas, Arter, Surman, Fraser; King, Defoe
Did you know?
Mourinho has never lost consecutive home league matches as a manager, while United have not suffered back-to-back defeats at Old Trafford since January 2014.
Prediction
United will be wounded following their defeat to City at the weekend, and that makes them very difficult opponents for Bournemouth on Wednesday night. The Cherries will hope to take advantage of the home side’s vulnerability, but Mourinho’s team should be fired up.
City aside, United have been perfect at Old Trafford this season, and I am backing the home side to return to winning ways with a comfortable success.
Score prediction: Manchester United 2-0 Bournemouth
