Manchester United are looking to tighten their grip on third place when they take on Bournemouth in tonight’s Premier League action.
After that setback against Newcastle United, Michael Carrick’s side responded emphatically at home to Aston Villa last weekend with Bruno Fernandes again at the heart of things.
With Chelsea and Liverpool also dropping points last weekend, United can move six points clear of the chasing pack tonight – and move within four of second place Manchester City who are preoccupied with the Carabao Cup this weekend.
The reverse fixture between these two was a chaotic thriller at Old Trafford, finishing 4-4 in November. But be warned, three of Bournemouth last four games have finished goalless.
Metro’s LIVE matchday blog will bring you all the build-up, confirmed team news and starting XIs, goal updates and minute-by-minute coverage.
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Pinned Update March 20, 2026 6:46 pm
Manchester United line-up
Chris Davie
Manchester United: Lammens, Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw, Mainoo, Casemiro, Amad, Fernandes, Cunha, Mbeumo.
Subs: Bayindir, Fredricson, Malacia, Yoro, J. Fletcher, T. Fletcher, Lacey, Mantato, Obi
March 20, 2026 8:24 pm
Bournemouth 0-0 Manchester United
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23 min: Bournemouth are wanting a penalty for Maguire’s push on Evanilson. The contact looks minor and VAR agrees.
March 20, 2026 8:23 pm
Bournemouth 0-0 Manchester United
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22 min: Rayan goes close again with a brilliant strike that fizzes low and forces a smart save from Lammens. The ball goes for a corner but United clear.
March 20, 2026 8:21 pm
Bournemouth 0-0 Manchester United
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21 min: Petrovic paws the ball away but it eventually drops to Cunha who fires towards goal and it’s blocked once again.
March 20, 2026 8:20 pm
Bournemouth 0-0 Manchester United
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20 min: Another United corner. Bournemouth are annoyed but the ball clearly comes off Senesi.
March 20, 2026 8:18 pm
Bournemouth 0-0 Manchester United
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17 min: Another chance for Fernandes. Dalot plays the ball in and the United captain hits it towards goal but it’s blocked and goes out for a corner which Bournemouth defend.
United’s counter is starting to cause Bournemouth problems here.
March 20, 2026 8:16 pm
Bournemouth 0-0 Manchester United
Chris Davie
15 min: Petrovic forced into action again as a first-time shot from Fernandes is fired low. Petrovic saves but doesn’t hold on to the ball and Mbeumo is closing in but can’t get there before the Bournemouth goalkeeper.
March 20, 2026 8:15 pm
Bournemouth 0-0 Manchester United
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14 min: Amad threatens on another United counter but Adli and Truffert double up on him to stop any danger.
March 20, 2026 8:12 pm
Bournemouth 0-0 Manchester United
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11 min: Not Fernandes’ finest corner, he drives it low along the ground and it’s comfortably cleared.
March 20, 2026 8:11 pm
Bournemouth 0-0 Manchester United
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10 min: Cunha shifts the ball onto his left foot and forces another save from Petrovic for United’s first corner of the game.
March 20, 2026 8:10 pm
Bournemouth 0-0 Manchester United
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9 min: Great pass from Senesi between the lines but Tavernier’s shot is blocked.
March 20, 2026 8:06 pm
Bournemouth 0-0 Manchester United
Chris Davie
EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Mandatory Credit: Photo by James Marsh/Shutterstock (16783146ah) Rayan of AFC Bournemouth reacts to a missed chance. AFC Bournemouth v Manchester United, Premier League, Football, Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, UK - 20 Mar 2026
(Shutterstock)
5 min: First chance for United as Amad chops just inside Bournemouth’s box but his rasping shot is saved by Petrovic.
Bournemouth then immediately launch a counter but Rayan drags his effort wide.
March 20, 2026 8:03 pm
Bournemouth 0-0 Manchester United
Chris Davie
2 min: Early corner for Bournemouth but United clear easily. Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo try to counter but it’s snuffed out.
March 20, 2026 8:00 pm
Kick off – Bournemouth 0-0 Manchester United
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1 min: We’re underway at the Vitality Stadium.
March 20, 2026 7:57 pm
The teams are heading out
Chris Davie
Both teams are heading out to the pitch, kick-off is just minutes away.
March 20, 2026 7:52 pm
Andoni Iraola speaking pre-match
Chris Davie
Andoni Iraola also speaking to Sky Sports before the game…
On Bournemouth going ten games unbeaten: ‘I think it’s strange because ten games unbeaten is very difficult, but after the last draws, the feeling is not as good as it probably could be. We are now playing against a team that is in an even better run than us. It’s a high level game.’
Turning draws into wins: ‘Today especially, we need to do everything. We’ve been not scoring but also not conceding goals. Today it’s going to be difficult to keep another clean sheet against United. They are very good offensively, the threats they have, I think we will need goals, not just one, more than one probably. Defensively… as much as we can, offensively… much better than the last games.’
March 20, 2026 7:50 pm
Carrick speaking pre-match
Chris Davie
Michael Carrick speaks to Sky Sports ahead of kick-off…
On finishing second: ‘We’re just taking it game by game. We’ve put ourselves in a decent position, we had a good result last week, coming to the break now, we want to finish on a high. We’ll see where that takes us after, the league has thrown up all sorts of different results and ups and downs. We’ll take it as it comes, tonight is a big enough game to focus on itself.’
On the same starting XI: ‘I think [continuity helps]. Good results and good performances, consistency and the boys getting good rhythms are really important. We’ve had – all the way through – really strong impact coming off the bench to finish the game in different ways.’
March 20, 2026 7:43 pm
Mainoo and Maguire return for England
Chris Davie
Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo warms up before the Premier League match at the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth. Picture date: Friday March 20, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.
(PA)
In case you missed the news today… Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire are both in England’s squad for the upcoming international break.
Maguire has not been seen in an England shirt since November 2024 under Lee Carsley, while Mainoo’s last appearance for the Three Lions was against the Republic of Ireland in September 2024.
March 20, 2026 7:31 pm
Chris Davie
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - MARCH 20: Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United warm??? up ahead of the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Manchester United at Vitality Stadium on March 20, 2026 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
(Getty)
Manchester United will be just four points behind second-placed Manchester City if they beat Bournemouth tonight.
March 20, 2026 7:24 pm
Carrick steadying the ship
Chris Davie
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - MARCH 20: Head Coach Michael Carrick of Manchester United arrives ahead of the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Manchester United at Vitality Stadium on March 20, 2026 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
(Getty)
An interesting stat from Opta…
Since Michael Carrick’s first Premier League game back with Manchester United in January, they have made the fewest changes to their starting XIs in the competition (10).
March 20, 2026 7:17 pm
Another Michael B. Jordan tribute at Bournemouth
Chris Davie
Plaque outside the stadium honouring minority owner Michael B Jordan's Oscar win before the Premier League match at the Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth. Picture date: Friday March 20, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.
(PA Wire)
If a statue wasn’t enough, Michael B. Jordan also has a plaque to celebrate his Oscar win.
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