Man Utd vs Bournemouth: Preview, predictions and lineups

Manchester United welcome Bournemouth to Old Trafford on Sunday

Manchester United are back in Premier League action on Sunday afternoon as they welcome Bournemouth to Old Trafford.

Defeat at Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup on Thursday means United’s campaign now revolves around their potential success in the Europa League and FA Cup. Ruben Amorim’s side succumbed to a 4-3 defeat in N17 following a bonkers quarter-final which should come with a trigger warning for goalkeeper purists.

United won dramatically at the Etihad last time out in the Premier League, but Amorim’s Red Devils are 13th in the table. However, just three points separate them and Sunday’s opponents, who lie in sixth.

Bournemouth won handsomely at the Theatre of Dreams last season and have emerged as the division’s giant-killers this term. The Cherries have already downed Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham at the Vitality, with Andoni Iraola having supporters dreaming of European football.

Here is Hattrickx’s guide to Sunday’s Premier League clash.

What time does Man Utd vs Bournemouth kick-off?

Location: Manchester, England
Stadium: Old Trafford
Date: Sunday 22 December
Kick-off Time: 14:00 GMT / 09:00 ET / 06:00 PT
Referee: Craig Pawson
VAR: Darren England

Man Utd: 3 wins
Bournemouth: 1 win
Draws: 1

Last meeting: Bournemouth 2-2 Man Utd (13 April 2024) – Premier League

Man Utd	Bournemouth
Tottenham 4-3 Man Utd – 19/12/24	Bournemouth 1-1 Man Utd – 16/12/24
Man City 1-2 Man Utd – 15/12/24	Ipswich Town 1-2 Bournemouth – 08/12/24
Viktoria Plzen 1-2 Man Utd – 12/12/24	Bournemouth 1-0 Tottenham – 05/12/24
Man Utd 2-3 Nottingham Forest – 07/12/24	Wolves 2-4 Bournemouth – 30/11/24
Arsenal 2-0 Man Utd – 04/12/24	Bournemouth 1-2 Brighton – 23/11/24

How to watch Man Utd vs Bournemouth on TV – UK and US

Country	TV channel/live stream
United Kingdom	Not televised – live radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra
United States	Peacock
Canada	fuboTV Canada

Bournemouth team news

Enes Unal scored off the bench against West Ham / Catherine Ivill – AMA/GettyImages

Evanilson took a couple of knocks in the draw with West Ham United and could perhaps earn some respite on Sunday given that Enes Unal came off the bench and scored a screamer on Monday night.

The Cherries are still without Alex Scott and Luis Sinisterra, although the pair could make their respective returns before the end of the year. Marcus Tavernier is a relatively new addition to the treatment table and his absence will come as a big blow for Iraola’s side. Julian Araujo and Marcos Senesi are also sidelined for the long haul.

Bournemouth predicted lineup vs Man Utd

Bournemouth predicted lineup vs Man Utd (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Smith, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Adams, Christie; Semenyo, Kluivert, Ouattara; Unal.

Man Utd vs Bournemouth score prediction

Amorim is laying foundations, but teething issues remain in all phases. There’s reason for encouragement, but United are not yet a side that can consistently perform what the new manager asks of them game-by-game.

Bournemouth are well prepared to pick apart the holes in Amorim’s framework, and their directness will doubtlessly give the Portuguese coach plenty to consider. The Cherries were 3-0 winners on this ground last season, meaning United will be keen to get their own back after the pair drew 2-2 in the reverse fixture.

Just three points separate these two sides in the table, and these two sides could play out at stalemate on Sunday.