Fernandes starts tonight but Sesko is on the bench
Manchester United return to action tonight when they face Bournemouth in the Premier League.
are three points clear of Aston Villa in fourth having beaten them at Old Trafford last weekend. Another win this evening would cement their spot in third before their rivals play this weekend.
and are likely to start tonight. The duo were recalled to the England squad this morning and it's understood .
Patrick Dorgu, Lisandro Martinez and are all missing tonight, with the latter potentially out for the remainder of the season. was ill earlier this week but is expected to recover in time for the game.
Follow the updates from the Vitality Stadium below:
Bournemouth team news
And here is how Bournemouth line up:
Petrovic, Jimenez, Senesi, Hill, Truffert, Scott, Christie, Tavernier, Adli, Rayan, Evanilson
Subs:
Mandas, Smith, Unal, Brooks, Diakite, Toth, Gannon-Doak, Kroupi, Milosavljevic
United team news
Here is how the Reds line up tonight:
Lammens, Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw, Casemiro, Mainoo, Amad, Fernandes, Cunha, Mbeumo
Subs:
Bayindir, Fredricson, Heaven, Malacia, Mount, T. Fletcher, Ugarte, Sesko, Zirkzee
This feels like a big opportunity for United. Win tonight and they will get six points clear of Aston Villa in fourth and nine points ahead of Chelsea in sixth. Villa, Liverpool and Chelsea would have a game still to play this weekend but it would be first mover advantage to Carrick’s side and the chances of the other three all winning seem slim. This is a chance to take a big step towards Champions League football.
(Image: Jose Breton/NurPhoto)
Repeat of 2023?
It’s a beautiful day on the south coast and the sun has been shining, just as it was when United last won here. That was in May 2023, a 1-0 win that proved massive in securing a place in the following season’s Champions League. The goal scorer? Casemiro. The way he’s been going, don’t be surprised if the Brazilian is the hero tonight.
(Image: OLI SCARFF, AFP via Getty Images)
Bournemouth’s recent run isn’t the easiest to decipher. They are unbeaten in 10 and haven’t lost since last year, but six of them have been draws, including all of the last four. They have come against West Ham, Sunderland, Brentford and Burnley and it’s fair to say Andoni Iraola’s side would be expecting to win at least a couple of those games. They are a difficult team to play against, however, and play with real energy and intensity, especially at home. They’ve only lost twice here in the Premier League this season.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola embraces captain Ryan Christie following the match against Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium on 10 February 2026 (Image: Alfie Cosgrove/News Images/SmartFrame)
We are just 45 minutes away from team news. Who would you like to see start tonight on the south coast?
According to , Iraola is one of the names in contention to be the next head coach of United when the new season begins in August. However, thanks to the form the Reds are showing, Carrick is the overwhelming favourite to become the permanent head coach at the end of the season.
Michael Carrick - 10/11
Oliver Glasner - 5/1
Gareth Southgate and Roberto De Zerbi - 12/1
Julian Nagelsmann and Andoni Iraola - 14/1
Luis Enrique and Roberto Martinez - 20/1
(Image: AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
Speaking ahead of tonight's match, the Bournemouth boss said:
I think obviously they are doing very well, it’s not just the results, this is evident, and something very objective, it’s just that they are, for me, more solid. Because they have the same threat offensively but they were the same with Ruben [Amorim], they were scoring a lot of goals, having a lot of chances like they are having now, but defensively they look more solid, they haven’t conceded a lot of goals, if you see the chances they concede in some games it’s ridiculous, they don’t concede chances a lot of times, and the improvement in points and feeling from this defensive solidity. I think we will have to be very good to get a draw because they are playing very well, they are one of the best, if not the best team, right now in the Premier League. I think everything is positive, the results are remarkable, I don’t know him [Carrick] personally but I like how he speaks, how he behaves, how he makes everything about the team and the team is playing really well. I think they are doing really well, everything looks fantastic but we have the problem that we have to face them tomorrow. So we will try to find some weaknesses that they have but I’m very happy he’s doing so well.
(Image: Getty Images)
Here is how the Premier League table looks in the race for the top four ahead of tonight's action:
Manchester United GD +13 54pts
Aston Villa GD +3 51pts
Liverpool GD +9 49pts
Chelsea GD +18 48pts
Brentford GD +4 45pts
(Image: Martin Rickett/PA)
Whether anything comes to fruition in regards Guimaraes and United remains to be seen. However, it at least shows the ambition the Reds have. If they reach the Champions League this season and Newcastle don't, the Reds should be looking to cherry pick their best talent. He would also fit this 'plug and play' plan that Wilcox is so fond of.
(Image: PA)
Eddie Howe has dismissed rumours that his captain is in talks with Manchester United. The Brazilian star found himself in the spotlight following the defeat to Barcelona, with domestic and international reports suggesting that United's transfer guru Jason Wilcox has been in contact with the player's agent to discuss contract conditions.
Reuters reported that a move to United for Guimaraes was 'advanced' and that the deal would be worth around £69 million. It was also reported that Reds midfielder Casemiro, a compatriot of Guimaraes, had recommended him to the club ahead of his exit in the summer.
Read on here>>>
Bruno Guimaraes (Image: (Michelle Mercer/Newcastle United via Getty Images))
Tonight's referee is Stuart Attwell. He has taken charge of two United matches this season - the draw at Burnley and the victory over Sunderland. He has been a little card friendly in his last four Premier League matches, dishing out six in three of those. He will be assisted by Craig Pawson on VAR duty.
(Image: Getty Images)
Bournemouth missing key man
As their recent form suggests, this Bournemouth team are not the live wires who played out an eight-goal thriller the last time these two sides met. In truth, United are not the same either but the Cherries are missing Semenyo. Now a City man, Semenyo scored in the reverse fixture and was a constant threat. Without him, Bournemouth have struggled for goals and the Reds will hope this plays into their hands tonight.
(Image: Getty Images)
Form guide
Here's how the two teams stack up ahead of this one:
Bournemouth's last five results
Burnley (A) 0-0 - Premier League
Brentford (H) 0-0 - Premier League
Sunderland (H) 1-1 - Premier League
West Ham (A) 0-0 - Premier League
Everton (A) 1-2 - Premier League
United's last five results
Aston Villa (H) 3-1 - Premier League
Newcastle (A) 2-1 - Premier League
Crystal Palace (H) 2-1 - Premier League
Everton (A) 0-1 - Premier League
West Ham (A) 1-1 - Premier League
(Image: SmartFrame/SportImage)
If De Ligt does miss the remainder of the season that will be a huge concern for United. He was one of the best performers for the Reds before his injury but that seems a long time ago now. Whoever becomes the new permanent head coach will benefit from a fit and firing De Ligt but that is a long way off at the moment.
(Image: Getty Images)
De Ligt could miss the rest of the season at Manchester United with the club still in the dark over when the centre-back will be able to return to action following a back injury. De Ligt hasn't played for the club since November 28 and what was initially expected to be a minor back injury is still keeping him away from training, with an imminent return not on the cards.
The 26-year-old has been close to making a return to training on a couple of occasions, only to then feel more discomfort in his back, and the unsettled nature of the problem means United are unsure when he will be back in the fold.
Read on here>>>
While Maguire and Mainoo have made the England squad, Shaw has been overlooked. Tuchel called up a whopping 35 players to this international break so Shaw's exclusion does not bode well for his chances of going to the World Cup. Undoubtedly the defender will want to prove a point to Tuchel if he starts tonight.
Speaking after picking Maguire and Mainoo for March's international fixtures, England head coach Thomas Tuchel said:
It's good to make the point I have nothing against Manchester United. It's just to acknowledge the achievement of Manchester United, as a team. I think they have had an outstanding run since Michael Carrick is in charge. Harry and Kobbie have been a big part of that. So, it's like I said, the last camp before the US and the last chance also, for me, to get to know new players and to learn about new players. Kobbie is one of them, Harry is not a new player in an England shirt, of course, but is new to me in a camp. I want to see them around other players, I want to feel them around the pitch and see what they are capable of, and learn about them, and then will make a clear decision in May.
(Image: Manchester United via Getty Images)
United can head into their 24-day break on a high tonight when they visit Bournemouth in the Premier League. The Reds bounced back well after the defeat to Newcastle with a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa at Old Trafford last time out. United will move six points clear of Unai Emery's side if they can win on the south coast. Thanks to the Reds' form in recent weeks, Michael Carrick has not needed to make any major selection decisions. Senne Lammens will start in goal while injuries to Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt mean Leny Yoro and Harry Maguire are the obvious centre-back duo.
Carrick experimented with Noussair Mazraoui in the team at Newcastle but turned back to Diogo Dalot against Villa. Mazraoui was ill in midweek so United are likely to stick with the Portuguese full-back. Luke Shaw is guaranteed to continue at left-back.
United face Bournemouth tonight in their final match before a 24-day break. The Reds will be confident heading into the fixture after beating Aston Villa 3-1 at Old Trafford last Sunday. That win opened up a three-point gap between themselves and the chasing pack. Michael Carrick confirmed Patrick Dorgu (hamstring), Matthijs de Ligt (back) and Lisandro Martinez (calf) would not feature as they continue their recovery. Martinez is expected to return when United face Leeds. Mason Mount was in the matchday squad last week but is not fit enough to start tonight.
Noussair Mazraoui missed training in midweek due to illness. However, Carrick is confident he will be fit for the game on the south coast.
(Image: Getty)
Match odds
Here are the latest match odds ahead of tonight’s game from .
Bournemouth to win - 2/1
Draw - 5/2
United to win 1/1
(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA, Getty Images)
United close to contract breakthrough
United are set to tie down Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo to new contracts after positive talks with the players' representatives in recent weeks. Talks with both parties are now at an advanced stage, and it is expected that they will be formally completed in the coming weeks, keeping Mainoo at Old Trafford on a long-term deal and securing Maguire's future beyond the end of the season.
Mainoo's current deal was due to expire in the summer of 2027, but having signed his contract when he was 17, he was one of the lowest-paid members of the first-team squad.
Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire of Manchester United (Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
Fans in the UK can watch tonight's game on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League. It will also be streamed via the Sky Sports App and Now TV. Alternatively, you can stay right here and follow our United focused coverage.
(Image: David Horton - CameraSport)
Good afternoon and welcome to our blog of United's clash with Bournemouth.
At the start of the year, a Friday night trip to the south coast would have looked a daunting prospect. But confidence has grown since Carrick's return and United will be expected to win this evening. Tonight represents a big opportunity for the Reds to pile on the pressure. Their top-four rivals do not play until later this weekend so a win this evening will open up a bigger gap on those below.
As for team news, Dorgu, Martinez and De Ligt remain out for this game but Mazraoui should have overcome illness to feature. Maguire and Mainoo will both be in confident moods having been named in the England squad this morning.
Stay tuned for updates...