 |
| Bournemouth enjoyed a sensational win over Manchester United this season, they will want to do it again when they both meet at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday. (Photo credit: GOAL) |
The Cherries recorded a sensational 3-0 win away at Old Trafford earlier in the year; it was their first-ever victory away at Manchester United in the Premier League era, and they must believe they can do it again.
The Red Devils have an outside chance of finishing in the top four; they currently sit eleven points off Tottenham and would believe they could do it, but they cannot afford to slip up anymore; it is only possible if they win every game left in the season.
Last weekend, United did the seemingly impossible; they hosted Liverpool and earned a vital point that halted the speed of the Kops in the title race, sending them to second on the table behind Arsenal but only on goal difference.
The current UEFA club coefficient doesn’t favor England as much as Italy and Germany; if Bayern Leverkusen advances in the Europa League and Atalanta doesn’t collapse at home against Liverpool in the second leg of their Europa clash, then Germany and Italy would have five teams in the Champions League next season, which means the fifth spot in the Premier League won’t earn UCL qualification.
A win for the Cherries over United will get them up to 44 points, level with Chelsea, and, with only five points off the Red Devils, is European football off the mark for Andoni Iraiola and his Cherries? You won’t rule that out at this stage of the season.
The Bournemouth manager was named manager of the month for March. He can celebrate that with a decent result against a sleeping giant, but that could come at a huge cost for Erik Ten Hag. His head is on the chopping board, and he is smoking his last straw.
How will Manchester United show up? They oscillated between mediocrity and brilliance on Sunday against Liverpool, conceding a sloppy goal to fall behind, then scoring two beauties before self-destructing to allow Liverpool to earn something.
United will rely on their kids, Alejandro Garnacho, Kobbie Mainoo, and Rasmus Hoijlund. Marcus Rashford isn’t in his best form, and Antony keeps disappointing with his inconsistency. The defense is a big worry, and with Rafael Varane joining the injury list, Bournemouth can exploit that.
Dominik Solanke, Justin Kluivert, and Antoine Semenyo will all be on the ground to punish any errors in the Manchester United area. Both sides need results to move up and challenge the clubs ahead of them. It will be an interesting one.