Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United side have certainly looked much improved since the last days of Erik Ten Hag’s time in charge, but the results have been anything but consistent. United followed up last-gasp wins in Europe and at Manchester City with a disappointing 4-3 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup in a game characterised by goalkeeping mistakes at both ends.
Andre Onana will feel his position as United’s first-choice keeper is under no real threat after Altay Bayindir did the very opposite of seizing his big chance. For Amorim, the biggest disappointment will be that this was a trophy his team had a serious chance of winning after United’s domestic cup triumphs in both of the last two seasons under his predecessor.
Things are so tight in the table that a home win against Bournemouth would move United level on points with the Cherries and within sight of the Champions League places as we head into the Christmas period when the games come thick and fast.
Marcus Rashford remains the big story at Old Trafford, a player who has probably generated more column inches than any other in England over the last decade. Whether he will play for his childhood team again remains to be seen, but Amorim has certainly suggested he would be open to a reconciliation. That will surely be contingent on him selecting Rashford in his matchday squad.
It almost doesn’t seem worth mentioning at this point, but the hosts will almost certainly have to make do without Luke Shaw and Mason Mount as a result of injuries. Amorim has made a point of giving many peripheral figures a chance to prove themselves during his early days at Old Trafford, as proven by Joshua Zirkzee and Jonny Evans scoring in that defeat to Spurs as well as the recent involvement of the much-maligned Antony.
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Manchester United vs Bournemouth odds
Venue: Old Trafford — Manchester
Time: 2 p.m. GMT (9 a.m. ET), Sunday
Form guide (league only)
Manchester United: 6-4-6, 22 points (13th); W-L-L-W-D
Bournemouth: 7-4-5, 25 points (6th); D-W-W-W-L
Match prediction
Manchester United 3-1 Bournemouth
United need to make their home ground something of a fortress once more. Nottingham Forest’s win at Old Trafford was a blow, even if Amorim has repeatedly made clear that there is no quick fix. United have league games against Newcastle and Liverpool looming, as well as an FA Cup clash at Arsenal so these are the kinds of matches they simply have to win to avoid Amorim’s honeymoon period coming to an end prematurely. The Old Trafford faithful could do with something to celebrate this festive season, and a win here would be the ideal early Christmas present.
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(Photo of Bruno Fernandes: Alex Pantling / Getty Images)
