Manchester United will be looking to tighten their grip on a spot in the Premier League top four when they travel to face Bournemouth on Friday at 8pm.
The Red Devils currently sit third, five points clear of fifth, with eight games left to play.
Man Utd predicted lineup vs Bournemouth
Man Utd (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Diallo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko.
It looked unlikely earlier this season, but now Man Utd are among the favourites to secure a top-four finish. It would take quite a bit drop off for Man Utd to fail to reach the Champions League next season.
The Red Devils have won seven Premier League games since Michael Carrick took charge, more than any other side in that time.
Man Utd team news vs Bournemouth
Man Utd are in a decent position with regards to injuries. Noussair Mazraoui hadn’t been training in midweek due to illness, but he’s expected to be back for the trip to the south coast.
The Moroccan had enjoyed a couple of starts ahead of Diogo Dalot at right-back, but he is likely to remain to the bench. Dalot will continue on the right with Luke Shaw at left-back. Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro are the mainstay centre-back pairing, with Mathijs de Ligt and Lisandro Martinez both out until after the international break.
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Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro have also nailed down their spots in the double pivot, with Bruno Fernandes playing further forward in the No.10. But there is a question about the rest of the front four.
Benjamin Sesko scored off the bench against Aston Villa last weekend and will be pushing for a start. Bryan Mbeumo has underwhelmed in recent weeks leading the line. He may drop down to the bench for the trip to the Vitality.
Amad Diallo and Matheus Cunha are the main wing options, with Patrick Dorgu still out injured. But the likes od Mason Mount and Joshua Zirkzee will be hoping to make impacts off the bench.
A tough test
Bournemouth are an interesting side right now. The Cherries are unbeaten in their past 10 Premier League games, but they’ve only won four of those.
Andoni Iraola’s men are on a run of four straight draws, three of which have been goalless. It’s been over five years since a Premier League side last drew five consecutive matches in the competition.
And Bournemouth are unbeaten in their past five league games against Man Utd, winning two and drawing three. The Red Devils have come from behind to seal draws in each of their past two league visits to the Vitality.
There’s also the added wonder of this being a Friday night game. Man Utd have won just one of their five away Premier League games played on a Friday night, losing two and drawing two.
Bournemouth, on the other hand, have won three of their four Friday night matches in the Premier League.