Verdict: Bruno Fernandes over 0.5 shots on target

Best Odds: 5/6

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Looking to widen their buffer in the Champions League chase on Friday night, Manchester United will travel to the Vitality when they meet Bournemouth.

Bournemouth

Starting with the hosts, while Bournemouth might have opened up the New Year with their sights firmly set on mounting a genuine European charge, Andoni Iraola’s side have watched their top-six dreams take a critical blow. Failing to find any kind of recent stability, the Cherries open Friday’s showdown with just their goal difference keeping them in the top-half of the table. Missing out on what they had billed as a golden opportunity last weekend as they eventually had to settle for a disappointing 0-0 stalemate away at relegation scrappers Burnley, Bournemouth have now played out a draw in all of their previous four consecutive Premier League appearances. Showing some glaring issues in the final third, Friday’s hosts have also notched just a sole strike in almost 400 minutes of action.

Bournemouth Team News

Undergoing knee surgery over the festive period, Bournemouth have confirmed that Dutch international Justin Kluivert is set to miss the remainder of the 2025/26 campaign. Likewise, both Lewis Cook and Argentinian defender Julio Soler are still dealing with respective hamstring issues.

Returning to Iraola’s squad last week, summer recruit and former Liverpool youngster Ben Doak could make a first Premier League appearance since the start of November. Enjoying what has been a breakout campaign at the Vitality, ex-Fleetwood Town defender James Hill will start at the back.

Manchester United

As for the visitors, making an immediate return to winning ways last week as they stormed their way to an eye-catching 3-1 victory at home against Aston Villa, Manchester United have embarked on a sensational run since Michael Carrick’s shock return. Opening Friday’s trip to the Vitality sat in bronze medal position, the Red Devils will be looking to take another giant leap towards booking a lucrative Champions League return. Getting March underway with a 2-1 win against Crystal Palace, the former Middlesbrough boss certainly finds the mood in his camp at a red-hot high. Losing just one of their first nine appearances under Carrick’s guidance, United will be confident of making another statement here. Likewise, despite falling to a 2-1 loss away at Newcastle on March 4th, that is the only defeat that the Reds have suffered away from Old Trafford so far this calendar year.

Manchester United Team News

All still dealing with respective injury issues, Manchester United will be unable to call upon the defensive trio of Lisandro Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt and Patrick Dorgu. While Brazilian ace Casemiro might have already announced that he will be leaving Old Trafford at the end of the 2025/26 campaign, the ex-Real Madrid superstar will start in the middle of the park.

Coming off the bench and bagging a ninth Premier League strike of the season against Aston Villa last week, Benjamin Sesko could be handed a full recall. Former Chelsea star Mason Mount could make a first top-flight appearance since January 17th.

Bournemouth vs Manchester United Key Factors to Consider

• When Bournemouth and Manchester United met for their reverse Premier League showdown on December 15, Friday’s opponents played out a remarkable 4-4 draw at Old Trafford.
• United have lost just one of their first nine appearances since Carrick’s return.
• Bournemouth have played out a stalemate in all of their previous four consecutive Premier League appearances.
• The Cherries have recorded just a single strike in almost 400 minutes of action.
• Man United have suffered just a single Premier League defeat away from Old Trafford so far this calendar year.

Conclusion

Making an immediate return to winning ways last time out as they secured a deserved 3-1 victory at home against Aston Villa, Man United certainly find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high. Looking to take another giant leap towards booking a lucrative Champions League return, Carrick’s side will meet a Bournemouth side who have been forced to settle for a single point in all of their last four straight top-flight showdowns.

Verdict: Bruno Fernandes over 0.5 shots on target

Best Odds: 5/6

Bookmaker: Dachbet