Manchester United vs Bournemouth. Premier League.
Old Trafford.
Highlights published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after full time
Saturday 4 July 2020 08:07, UK
Team news, stats and prediction ahead of Manchester United vs Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).
Manchester United may name an unchanged team for the visit of Bournemouth on Saturday.
That would see Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba starting again, with Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood also in the XI for the 3-0 win over Brighton.
Nemanja Matic could keep his place in midfield, with Scott McTominay on the bench, with Axel Tuanzebe and Phil Jones the only absentees.
For Bournemouth, Callum Wilson will serve the second of his two-match ban for 10 yellow cards, while Simon Francis and Charlie Daniels are continuing their recovery from knee injuries.
Keep up-to-date in our dedicated live blog, with highlights published on the Sky Sports digital platforms and the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel shortly after full time.
I predicted a Bournemouth win against Newcastle and they got absolutely hammered. I am a fan of Josh King - he has good attributes but is a player low in confidence. Dominic Solanke played alongside him. I forgot he was there. He works hard but is so short in confidence too.
That was the last thing Bournemouth needed when they were in the position they are. Will Nathan Ake be off to a bigger club? He is a great footballer but not a great defender. I saw the vulnerabilities against Newcastle, but he is their best defender. Bournemouth can make life easy for you.
This is a comfortable home win. Bournemouth are gifting chances to the teams around them. Eddie Howe does not have a Plan B, but they do not really suit any other way of playing. I think it is going to be plain-sailing for Manchester United, and another bad day for Bournemouth's goal-difference.
The key ingredient is Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes finding passes, whether they play into feet or in behind. It gives you variety and options. Mason Greenwood adds another dimension. It is breathtaking seeing the options they are now getting.
They are still not as solid at the back, though. Has David De Gea improved? No. The full-backs aren't great defenders, and you can also get space in behind Nemanja Matic and Pogba. You can get at them but it's working for United at the moment, and Pogba has an attitude that says he wants to be back in the team. He is ticking over nicely.
United have the momentum, and that momentum will make them believe they can make the top four. It is looking like they will at the moment, even though they are still a way short of Manchester City and Liverpool.
I applaud what Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has done and they look to be in a good position. Let's see if they can finish it off. Have they got great choices on the bench? Not as much as they did have, but their fixtures have been good and I expect their form to continue here.
CHARLIE PREDICTS: 3-0 (11/2 with Sky Bet)
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