90min
·21 de diciembre de 2024
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·21 de diciembre de 2024
Erik ten Hag racked up an endless list of 'dark days' in charge of Manchester United, and few were bleaker than Bournemouth's previous visit to Old Trafford.
United were not only beaten 3-0 by the Cherries, but they were comprehensively outplayed by Andoni Iraola's side. The Red Devils had beaten Chelsea at home just days before, but that 2-1 win would prove to be yet another false dawn.
Things are a whole lot different more than a year on. While Bournemouth are emerging as a contender for Europe in Iraola's second term in charge, United have pivoted away from Ten Hag in favour of a new project spearheaded by Ruben Amorim.
The former Sporting CP boss has not been afraid to make bold calls on the team selection front since taking over, and after he had the first month of his reign to get a look at the entirety of United's squad, it looks as if Amorim is starting to settle upon a favoured XI.
Here's the United team that could line up against Bournemouth.
The Renaissance Man / Michael Regan/GettyImages
GK: Andre Onana - United supporters will have everything crossed that Onana remains injury free the rest of the way after enduring Altay Bayindir on Thursday night.
CB: Matthijs de Ligt - Leny Yoro impressed at Spurs and could keep his place on the right side of United's back three, but it'd be a surprise if De Ligt was left out given that he's seemingly been rested for Sunday's game.
CB: Harry Maguire - We've seen Maguire impress at the heart of England's back three and he now looks at ease within the new manager's framework.
CB: Lisandro Martinez - Amorim has encouraged Martinez to be braver on the ball, but the Portuguese coach will also have to remind the Argentine of his defensive fundamentals following his dire display in midweek.
RWB: Noussair Mazraoui - Mazraoui was an injury concern heading into Thursday's game and would ideally be given a breather. However, if Amorim decides to keep Amad in the frontline, he has little choice but to deploy Mazraoui at right wing-back.
CM: Manuel Ugarte - The tenacious Uruguayan is showing signs of finding the form he displayed under Amorim at Sporting. He was very good on Thursday night and deserves to keep his place.
CM: Kobbie Mainoo - A Mainoo-Ugarte pivot is surely United's best combination given how their skill sets complement one another. Mainoo came off the bench in midweek and should be relatively fresh for Bournemouth's visit.
LWB: Diogo Dalot - Talk about a position United must upgrade at the next possible chance. Dalot has been a mainstay for Amorim thus far, but that's due to a lack of alternatives rather than the player's own stellar performances.
AM: Amad Diallo - United's main man was on the scoresheet for the second game running in the cup, although this strike was considerably less skillful than his winner in Sunday's derby. Amad is a shoo-in to return to the starting XI, even if Amorim has hinted that there could be a return to the matchday squad for Marcus Rashford.
AM: Bruno Fernandes - Is there ever any respite for Fernandes? He takes to the field at every opportunity, and he'll undoubtedly remain in the team on Sunday despite the quick turnaround.
ST: Joshua Zirkzee - Rasmus Hojlund struggled last time out and Zirkzee has shown he can operate as an Amorim front man. The Dutchman was on the scoresheet against Spurs and his cameo might've been enough to convince the boss he's worthy of a start on Sunday.
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