AFC Bournemouth
AFC Bournemouth will be hoping to return to winning ways when they host Premier League rivals Manchester United at Vitality Stadium on Saturday (12.30pm kick-off).
Despite an indifferent start to 2019/20, the Red Devils arrive in Dorset on the back of three successive away wins in the Europa League, Premier League and Carabao Cup.
Marcus Rashford’s stunning free-kick added to his first-half penalty as they progressed to the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup with a 2-1 victory at Chelsea last night.
Rashford (pictured below) was joined on the scoresheet by Scott McTominay and Anthony Martial as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team beat Premier League new boys Norwich 3-1 on Sunday.
Victory at Carrow Road was United’s first away win in the Premier League since they triumphed 3-1 at Crystal Palace in February, ending their worst run on their travels in the top flight for 30 years.
Martial’s penalty earned United a 1-0 victory against Partisan Belgrade in the Europa League seven days ago as they halted a six-match winless run in all competitions.
The Red Devils are currently seventh in the Premier League, two places above the Cherries with both teams having 13 points after ten games.
Ahead of the game, afcb.co.uk caught up with Samuel Luckhurst, who covers the fortunes of United for the Manchester Evening News.
afcb.co.uk: Is seventh place after ten games a fair reflection of United’s start to the season?
SL: It probably flatters them, though going off the form of two of the other 'top-six' teams in Arsenal and Tottenham, as well as the resurgence of Leicester, it possibly is.
Ultimately, you would not expect a side with three league wins to be seventh but United are.
They’ve dropped eight points from winning positions and if they had a more regular goal threat then perhaps Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s eternal optimism would be reflected by a top-four place.
Instead, they took the chance of not replacing Romelu Lukaku and it has already been costly.
afcb.co.uk: How would you assess Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tenure since he was made permanent manager in March?
SL: Until recently, it felt like he was dangerously veering towards the endgame.
The timing of the October internationals has helped in that United reassessed, players recovered from injury and they have recorded three results that have ranged from commendable to superb.
He has improved players and what he's trying to do – promote youth, have a fluid attack and juggle a short-term rebuild with a long-term one – is laudable, but there are still doubts about whether United can play front-foot football on a consistent basis.
They did at Norwich but even two of their goals were via counter-attacks and Solskjaer can be too reliant on that approach.
Unfortunately for him, he also has a knack of putting his foot in his mouth at press conferences.
Apart from David Moyes, every post-Alex Ferguson United manager has immediately chimed with supporters at press conferences but, towards the end, anything they say has wound them up. That has already happened with Solskjaer (pictured above).
afcb.co.uk: How big a miss has Paul Pogba been?
SL: He is United's most talented player and the midfield is mid-table standard without him.
That said, Pogba has not scored a league goal from open play in nearly nine months and he was not in totemic form before he succumbed to injury.
United are poorer without him, but given his penchant for feckless form and desire to leave, his loss hasn't been felt as greatly as, say, when Roy Keane was out for the 97/98 season.
Or Wayne Rooney for the 2009/10 run-in or Nemanja Vidic in the second half of 2011/12 or Robin van Persie during his fitful 2013/14.
afcb.co.uk: In your opinion, what would represent a successful season for United?
SL: Champions League qualification and a trophy. That is what United have been reduced to and those are the targets that have to be met if they are to become a force again.
afcb.co.uk: On current form, who is United’s player to watch?
SL: After Norwich, Anthony Martial (pictured above). He took the attack to a new level.
Daniel James is the one player whose performance level has been acceptable on a weekly basis.
United surpassed expectations to go for a winger who couldn't get a game on loan at Shrewsbury two years ago.
afcb.co.uk: What’s the mood among the supporters?
SL: The matchgoers are supportive and have been with every post-Ferguson manager.
Louis Van Gaal copped it the worst in that people voted with their feet and he was specifically booed at some matches.
Solskjaer (pictured above) is a genuine legend and they will continue to chant his name for however long he is in charge.
The matchgoers realise the problems are above him, hence some of the mutinous chants about the owners in recent weeks, as well as the flyover banner against Liverpool that targeted Ed Woodward.
afcb.co.uk: What’s your score prediction?
SL: Bournemouth were excellent at Vitality Stadium in the first-half last season but, on their current form and United's, I'm going for a 2-0 away win.
You can follow Samuel on Twitter – @samuelluckhurst
Match officials: Chris Kavanagh (referee), Sian Massey-Ellis (assistant), Constantine Hatzidakis (assistant), Robert Jones (fourth official), Mike Dean (VAR), Stephen Child (assistant VAR).
