The predicted line ups and early team news for Man United’s Premier League match against Bournemouth on Tuesday night.
Manchester United will be looking to start the new year in style when they host Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.
Erik ten Hag’s side is in fine form following their victory at Wolves at the weekend, and they know another three points tonight will strengthen their hopes of a top-four finish.
United have won seven of their 10 Premier League meetings with Bournemouth (D1 L2), with both defeats against them coming at the Vitality Stadium.
In terms of early team news, Diogo Dalot and Lisandro Martinez could both make their returns after missing the win at Wolves, but Jadon Sancho is expected to miss the match.
Pick the team
Rich Fay
There is always a temptation to stick with a winning formula, but United might be better off making a few changes for the visit of Bournemouth tonight.
Martinez needs to be eased back into action following his World Cup commitments, and this is the perfect chance to do so, though Wan-Bissaka deserves to keep his spot at right-back.
Eriksen was poor at Wolves and might benefit from a rest, with Fred coming into the midfield instead of him. Casemiro and Fernandes start to ensure that standards don’t slip too much.
Rashford has to return to the line up and Garnacho is the unfortunate one to drop out. Martial was poor again at the weekend but is the only logical choice through the middle, and Antony had a decent showing at Molineux.
Samuel Luckhurst
United need to rotate reasonably over the next eight days, with two cup games after Bournemouth, but there is little sense in compromising momentum in the league by making excessive changes.
Christian Eriksen was lacklustre at Wolves but is a technician who could be vital in breaching Bournemouth. He and Casemiro should have rests against Everton and/or Charlton.
Lisandro Martinez has been United’s best player this season and needs to be reintegrated into the team. Luke Shaw has excelled at centre half but is his country’s best left-back.
United have little choice but to persist with Antony and namesake Martial for now.
Dalot, Martinez and Rashford come in
Tyrone Marshall
Martinez wasn’t deemed ready to return to the squad on New Year’s Eve but he will be back against Bournemouth and this looks like a good game to ease him back into. Shaw can move to left-back and Wan-Bissaka has played well enough to carry on at right-back, allowing Dalot to build up his fitness.
Rotation is key at the moment but Eriksen had some rest at Wolves when he came off relatively early, so the midfield trio can start again, with Fred coming in against Everton.
Changes are harder to come by in attack. Rashford at least only played 45 minutes on Saturday so should still be fairly fresh, but there is little cover for Antony and Martial, so they can start in the league.
Source: https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/
