SunSport’s Mike McGrath and Tom Barclay will be at the Vitality Stadium to cover the game and in the build-up to Saturday’s match they’ve taken a look at how the Red Devils should set up against Eddie Howe’s Cherries.
Mike McGrath's view:
ROMELU LUKAKU will give Bournemouth’s defence problems – even if he has gone NINE games without a Manchester United goal.
The Belgium striker was dropped for the win over Everton last weekend and will have benefited from being taken out of the firing line.
His workload has been huge since rushing back from an ankle injury for last season’s FA Cup final then heading off to the World Cup, before returning early to help United’s start to the campaign.
As pundits have pointed out, he looks short on confidence and a little tired.
But he should be fresh after playing just 25 minutes as a sub in the 11 days before United’s trip to the Vitality Stadium.
Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe will be prepared for the pace of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial or Alexis Sanchez if the Chile forward is recalled to the starting line-up.
Experienced defenders like Simon Francis and Steve Cook know what is coming when quick forwards attack them – it is why the Cherries are pushing for the European spots.
But a bruising encounter with Lukaku offers a different challenge. It can be an out-and-out scrap when the ex-Everton forward puts his muscle about.
That does not mean Rashford will be limited in terms of attacking. If Jose Mourinho plays a tight three-man midfield it would give Rashy and Martial freedom to express themselves without losing control in midfield.
Nemanja Matic’s discipline is key to this, with Paul Pogba on the left of the three which is one of his preferred positions.
Tom Barclay's view:
BOURNEMOUTH’S key threat this season has been their raw pace on the counter-attack.
Time and again I have seen them blow sides away with their speed out wide, both in midfield and at full-back, as well as up top with the jet-heeled Callum Wilson and Josh King.
The biggest example of this was when Leicester came to the Vitality and were blitzed 4-2 – though the two goals the Foxes managed were in the final minute and flattered them.
Jose Mourinho’s defenders are relatively quick meaning they should not be as horribly exposed as Harry Maguire and Wes Morgan were that day.
But Nemanja Matic will have to be on his guard to cut off any blistering breaks at source.
The Serb may even have to risk a booking to ensure Ryan Fraser and Co do not get a clear run at United’s backline.
Paul Pogba should be deployed in a more traditional holding midfield role, focusing on discipline and keeping it simple while leaving the creative work largely to Juan Mata.
Ashley Young and Luke Shaw could take a look at how Southampton’s full-backs Cedric Soares and Ryan Bertrand in Saints’ recent 0-0 at Vitality for advice on handling livewires Fraser and David Brooks.
Bournemouth have been excellent this season, particularly at home.
But you do still feel their defence can be exposed with speed – hence why I would stick with Marcus Rashford through the middle – and particularly down the right if Simon Francis plays.
The ex-Charlton defender has been a terrific servant for the club and is tactically astute.
But at 33 he is not the quickest, which should have in-form Anthony Martial licking his lips.
If Jesse Lingard is ready to start, his energy could be key down the right.
The need for speed, both in attack and defence, is more pressing than in most Premier League fixtures for United here.
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