Andoni Iraola knows who Man United’s biggest threat is – and it’s not Fernandes, Cunha or Mbeumo

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·15 dicembre 2025

Andoni Iraola knows who Man United’s biggest threat is – and it’s not Fernandes, Cunha or Mbeumo

Ahead of Manchester United welcoming Bournemouth to Old Trafford for the final fixture of gameweek 16 tonight, Andoni Iraola has singled out Amad Diallo for praise.

The Cherries have claimed back-to-back 3-0 wins in their last two trips to the stadium in 2023/2024 and 2024/2025, so United will be doing their utmost to put an end to such a run when play gets underway at 8pm.

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How Iraola’s Cherries fare before United clash

What could indeed bode well in the Reds’ favour is that Bournemouth are winless in their last six outings, sustaining four losses and two defeats to leave them in the bottom half of the table.

Unfortunately for Iraola, it was perhaps to be expected when the board facilitated the sales of the likes of Dean Huijsen, Milos Kerkez and Illia Zabarnyi over the summer.

Keeping hold of forward talisman Antoine Semenyo was the best piece of business they could’ve done, but even he’s expected to be on his way out in January thanks to the £65 million release clause in his contract that becomes active in the New Year.

Iraola: Amad becoming a ‘bigger’ threat

(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

In the meantime, Iraola had his say on which United players he expects to cause his side problems in M16 this evening, telling reporters: “The signings they have made up front — [Bryan] Mbeumo, [Matheus] Cunha, [and] Sesko [are threatening] — but especially players like Amad, who is now even more important.

“He is an even bigger threat, and we have to be ready to defend difficult duels for the full-backs and for the centre-backs because you have to defend some very good players in open spaces.”

Much to Ruben Amorim’s dismay, he is set to be without Amad and Mbeumo for around four weeks of action over the festive period, depending on how their countries fare in the African Cup of Nations.