Manchester United will have the opportunity to make it back-to-back wins when they host Bournemouth at Old Trafford, and they’re perfectly placed to do so.
That’s quite a bold statement in itself, because Bournemouth have become a pain point for Man Utd in the past, regardless of the manager.
Alongside Brighton and Brentford, they are the cursed trinity of “Bs” of which Brighton were dispatched this season, while United fell to Brentford again.
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They are well-placed to beat another in Bournemouth, because Ruben Amorim has already made the biggest change that will make all the difference.
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim walks off between Amad Diallo of Manchester United (L) and Lisandro Martinez of Manchester United after the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and AFC Bournemouth at Old Trafford on December 22, 2024
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
A pattern to Bournemouth’s wins against Man Utd
United are winless in their last four games against Bournemouth, with Amorim failing to beat The Cherries in both meetings last season.
In fact, the 0-3 loss at Old Trafford in this corresponding fixture last season was among the worst performances under the Man Utd manager, which is quite a statement considering how bad it’s been generally.
United sank without a trace that day, putting in a limp attacking performance combined with a shaky defence.
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Remarkably, that was Bournemouth’s second consecutive 3-0 win at Old Trafford, with Erik ten Hag’s team suffering the same feat in the season before.
In both games, there was a pattern to Bournemouth’s wins, which was to force high turnovers against a team that tried to play out from the back but wasn’t very good at doing it.
Be it Dominic Solanke stealing the ball in United’s half or Kobbie Mainoo giving it away last season, United kept walking into the trap.
Iraola’s team are pressing monsters, which is just as well, because Amorim has overseen a 180-degree change in United’s playing style.
The exact pressing that doomed United in the last two meetings at Old Trafford will work in their favour this time.
Ruben Amorim’s evolution will pay off against Bournemouth
Amorim has come under a lot of flak this season for not being able to adapt and beat the teams that go defensive, but that evolution will come in handy against Bournemouth.
Much like United, Bournemouth struggle to fashion chances if they aren’t forcing high turnover, and against a United team that is happy to go long now, that will be harder.
United will simply go over their press, with Senne Lammens’ ability to kick with both feet coming up trumps once again.
Senne Lammens is a clear upgrade on Altay Bayindir
How many points did Bayindir cost United at the start of the season?
Senne Lammens vs Altay Bayindir
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Combine that with United’s newfound set-piece ability this season, and the way this side plays is exactly what Bournemouth hate to play against.
United will still need to create chances of their own, and that remains a struggle, but the way they have wilted in the face of Bournemouth’s press is unlikely to happen anymore.
The Cherries are also struggling for form, winning none of their last five games, so this is the perfect time to pile on the misery and start to solidify a place in the table.
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