Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola (left) gestures on the touchline during the Premier League match _(Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)_
THIS season, AFC Bournemouth have beaten Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham and now Manchester United.
They were narrowly beaten by Chelsea, and while they were comfortably defeated by Liverpool at Anfield, Andoni Iraola’s men have been much improved this season against the traditional ‘big six’.
Asked about his side’s performances against these so-called ‘bigger clubs’, with Iraola also picking up wins against Barcelona and Real Madrid while manager of Rayo Vallecano, the Basque boss said he was happy to see this improvement.
“I think we've improved this season because one of the things that we talked in the summer from past season is that we need points against, especially the ones that are fighting for the title, Liverpool, Arsenal, City,” Iraola said.
“That past season we couldn't, we kind of played well, but you don't have enough for them.
“I think this season we are adding these points that at the end make this small difference, that probably you feel a little bit less of pressure when you face the teams that are kind of around you.
“I'm happy, but we see every game week, everything is super tight, it doesn't matter you play first against the last one and you don't know what's going to happen, and a lot of very tight results.
“So we value a lot and you have to enjoy because winning here is special for a player.
“But at the end we have to know that we can win today here at Old Trafford and we can lose next time against any team in the Premier League and try to maximise our chances every week, that's it.”