It’s a late kick-off at Dean Court
SillySeason takes a look ahead to the meeting between Bournemouth and Manchester United at the Vitality Stadium. The game kicks of at 5:30pm as it is live on Sky Sports’ Saturday Night Football.
Bournemouth host the Red Devils after a brilliant win at Stamford Bridge last Saturday. Glenn Murray scored to only goal of the game as the Cherries won 1-0 at Chelsea live on Saturday Night Football.
It’s been a contrasting week for Manchester United, a 0-0 draw at home to West Ham United last weekend was followed by a 3-2 defeat at Wolfsburg in the Champions League.
The result in Germany meant that United didn’t qualify for the knockout stages and will now play in the Europa League after finishing third in Group B behind Wolfsburg and PSV Eindhoven.
Eddie Howe may see this as an opportunity for his Bournemouth side to secure another historic result, as Louis van Gaal is a man under pressure in the Old Trafford dugout.
Team news
Injuries have plighted both squads this season, especially Bournemouth, who have lost a lot of key players to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries.
The Cherries could be without Sylvain Distin, Adam Federici, Lee Tomlin, Marc Pugh and Tommy Elphick, as well as long-term absentees Callum Wilson, Max Gradel, Tyrone Mings and Christian Atsu.
United are also struggling for personnel, as Chris Smalling, Matteo Darmian, Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo, Antonio Valencia and Phil Jones are all sidelined.
This means van Gaal maybe forced to play an inexperienced back four, which Bourenmouth could use to their advantage.
