Manchester United vs Bournemouth – Friendly
Current Form & Context
Manchester United
Mixed preseason results (W3 D1 L1), including a 2-1 win over West Ham and a 0-0 draw with Leeds. Scoring 1.4 goals per game but conceding in 60% of matches. Key absences: GK Andrรฉ Onana (injured) and new signing Bryan Mbeumo (not yet debuted) .
Bournemouth
Dominant preseason (W4 L1), scoring 14 goals in 5 games (2.8/game). Highlights include a 3-0 win over Everton and 6-2 thrashing of Bristol City. Unbeaten in 12 competitive games under Iraola, with high-pressing tactics causing problems for top sides .
Tactical Breakdown
1. Expected Setups
Man Utd (3-4-3)
- GK: Bayฤฑndฤฑr (Onana out).
- Defence: Maguire (RCB), Yoro (CB), Martรญnez (LCB) โ covering Solankeโs physicality.
- Midfield: Dalot (RWB), Casemiro-Mainoo (pivot), Shaw (LWB).
- Attack: Fernandes (RW), Hรธjlund (ST), Garnacho (LW).
- Weakness: Slow transitions; vulnerable to counters behind wing-backs .
Bournemouth (4-2-3-1):
- High Press: Target Unitedโs build-up, especially Casemiro/Maguire.
- Attack: Solanke (ST) supported by Semenyo (RW) and Tavernier (LW). Christie/Cook double pivot to disrupt Bruno .
2. Key Battles
- Bruno Fernandes vs Cook/Christie: Bournemouthโs pivots aim to cut passing lanes. If successful, United rely on McTominayโs late runs .
- Solanke vs Maguire: Solankeโs movement vs Maguireโs aerial weakness. Bournemouthโs set-piece threat (80% goal rate in last 5) .
- Wing-Backs vs Bournemouthโs Wide Forwards: Garnacho/Shaw must track Semenyoโs cuts inside, leaving space for overlapping full-backs .
3. Game Deciders
- United Wins If: Exploit Bournemouthโs high line with Hรธjlundโs runs; dominate midfield via Mainoo-Casemiro; defend set-pieces.
- Bournemouth Wins If: Force turnovers in Unitedโs half (as in Dec 2023โs 3-0 win); isolate CBs 1v1; capitalize on Solankeโs form .
Prediction
Score Prediction: 2-2 Draw. Bournemouthโs press disrupts Unitedโs build-up, but individual quality (Fernandes, Hรธjlund) rescues a draw.
