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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Samuel Luckhurst & George Smith & Steven Railston

How Manchester United should line up vs Bournemouth in Premier League fixture

Manchester United will play their final away game of the Premier League season against Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon.

Although results at Old Trafford have been excellent, United have often struggled away from home during this campaign and they recently suffered disappointing back-to-back defeats against Brighton and West Ham on the road.

United responded with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Wolves last weekend and with Liverpool just one point behind in the table, another win against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday will be crucial.

ALSO READ: Manchester United give Rashford update for Bournemouth

Regarding team news, Scott McTominay will be available for selection but Marcus Rashford is a potential doubt due to illness. Meanwhile, loanee Marcel Sabitzer has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a knee injury.

Our writers have had their say on how United should line up against Bournemouth...

Samuel Luckhurst

United do not require many changes after a week-long gap between games. Diogo Dalot is worth recalling to set an undeniably front-footed tone at Bournemouth. The rest of the back four were nigh-on faultless defensively against a tame Wolves.

Refreshing the midfield may be required next week but not at Bournemouth and if Marcus Rashford is fit he has to start on the left. If he isn't, then Alejandro Garnacho deserves the call-up. Jadon Sancho would not be a deserving starter on current form.

Steven Railston

The lime green kit evokes memories of the Brentford debacle in August and supporters will be desperately hoping that another upset is not on the cards here, as three points are needed in the pursuit of Champions League qualification.

I'd make just two changes from the win against Wolves last weekend and they would be bringing Dalot and Rashford into the starting side at the expense of Wan-Bissaka and Sancho.

Dalot provides more attacking quality than Wan-Bissaka and that could be important against Bournemouth, whilst starting Rashford instead of Sancho, who has flattered to deceive again, is a no-brainer.

George Smith

After adding another clean sheet to their collection last weekend, Ten Hag may refrain from altering his back-four, meaning Wan-Bissaka should, unfortunately for Dalot, retain his place at right-back.

There is also no reason, or indeed scope, to change anything in midfield, either. Fernandes returned to his natural No.10 role last weekend and played a key role in both goals, meaning he should be left in his natural habitat and be supported by Eriksen and Casemiro.

Should he shake off the illness complaint Ten Hag reported on Friday lunchtime, Rashford should come back into the starting line-up and take up residency on the left-wing. In the event of him not making the squad, however, Garnacho deserves a starting berth.

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