Manchester United will be aiming to strengthen their grip on a top-four spot in the Premier League table when they entertain Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Tuesday evening.
Erik ten Hag’s side moved into fourth place following a 1-0 away win at Wolves on Saturday, thereby, making it three successive Premier League victories and five in a row in all competitions. The strong run of form means they are now just points behind third-placed Newcastle United with a game in hand.
The Red Devils should be favourites on paper heading in this tie, although Ten Hag and co. cannot afford to take Bournemouth lightly.
Manchester United Team News
Lisandro Martinez, Diogo Dalot and Scott McTominay could return to the squad in a triple injury boost for Manchester United. McTominay recovered from illness to train prior to the Wolves game, while Martinez has had multiple training sessions after returning last week from Argentina following World Cup celebrations.
Dalot has missed the last three games due to a hamstring injury he sustained in Portugal’s World Cup quarter-final defeat to Morocco, and although he has resumed training, Ten Hag will not risk the full-back.
Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho is still not ready to return to the squad as he trains separately from the squad.
Predicted Man United Lineup vs Bournemouth (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
David de Gea has kept back-to-back clean sheets in the Premier League against Nottingham Forest and Wolves, respectively. The Man United No.1 will look to shut the shop as quickly as possible against Bournemouth.
Defence
Luke Shaw has impressed as a makeshift centre-back in the last two games, but he could be moved across to left-back, while Aaron Wan-Bissaka is likely to keep his spot at right-back.
Raphael Varane is expected to marshal the Man United defence once again. Lisandro Martinez could start alongside Varane in central defence, having taken part in multiple training sessions. Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof were both on the bench against Wolves after recovering from illness, and the centre-back duo must accept roles among the substitutes once again.
Midfield
Casemiro has been a revelation in midfield, forming a strong partnership with Christian Eriksen in the double pivot for the Red Devils. They are certain to start, with Bruno Fernandes acting as the creative glue between midfield and attack.
Fred, Donny Van de Beek and Scott McTominay could get opportunities to make an impact from the bench in the second half.
Attack
Marcus Rashford is expected to return to the first XI against Bournemouth on Tuesday having been dropped against Wolves for disciplinary reasons. The England international scored the winner at Molineux, and is a player who could again make a difference for Ten Hag’s side.
Rashford should replace Alejandro Garnacho on the left, while Antony is likely to keep his place at right wing despite his poor showing at Wolves. Anthony Martial, meanwhile, should spearhead the United attack against the Cherries.
Ten Hag would have the likes of Garnacho and Elanga to bring on from the bench if the team is in need of fresh legs in attack.
