Cherries Chase Three in a Row Against ‘Big Pull’ United

Bournemouth vs Manchester United

‘Why are we playing on Monday night again son’?

That was the question that sparked the conversation I had with my dad over a quick bite to eat yesterday lunchtime.

I replied instantly, along the linesthat it’s much easier to schedule Premier League games for the televised Monday evening slot if you’re not involved in European football, as Man Utd aren’t this term for only the second time in 35 years.

What I didn’t say was that it proves, if ever proof were needed, that United remain the biggest pull in town.

Now they need to start proving it!

Talking Points

Let’s be honest, Premier League 2025 highlights have been few and far between for the Red Devils who finished a woeful 15^th last season.

There have been some special moments since then, not least a fine 2-1 win at reigning champions Liverpool in October.

Led by their super captain Bruno Fernandes, going into this weekend they have actually sneaked into the top six to prompt hope amongst their faithful.

As far as this SBOTOP observer is concerned though, little has changed since my damning viewpoint expressed in August, and they remain just as close to being in midtable as they are to finishing in the top six

And that’s without the distraction of European football as many clubs around them juggle commitments at home and further afield.

By contrast, Bournemouth have barely looked back since the appointment of Andoni Iraola in 2023, shortly after escaping the drop.

Sure, they have experienced some setbacks of late.

But that is no surprise given they experienced a summer of losing some of their top talent with talented young defenders Dean Huijsen moving to Real Madrid and Milos Kerkez, to Liverpool respectively.

However, the fact they are still around the sharp end of the top flight speaks volumes and few would rule out a repeat of their ninth placed finish last season.

Bournemouth's Premier League campaign is currently being led by Ghanaian forward Antoine Semenyo — Bournemouth striker Antoine Semenyo in action during a Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers

Much may depend on keeping hold of their other main men, led by Ghanaian forward Antoine Semenyo who has been in sparkling form with six goals and three assists so far.

Earlier this year, he signed a new long-term contract which runs until 2030 and sources at the club have confirmed the deal does not contain a release clause, making it very difficult for potential suitors to force through a move.

Certainly, he will be the man United need to watch as Bournemouth head to Old Trafford bidding for a third successive 3-0 win under Iraola.

They may have lost four of their last six in the Premier League but the Cherries were much improved in their goalless draw with Chelsea.

The main team news for the game centres around whether the hosts – still without centre backs Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt – can call upon Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui with the trio Mbeumo (Cameroon), Amad (Ivory Coast) and Mazraoui (Morocco) all set to be involved in the Africa Cup of Nations.

The official release period begins on Monday but, given the game has been moved from the weekend, common sense will hopefully prevail and allow Ruben Amorim to select them before they head off for at least a month.

History

For clubs of very different stature, there should be no surprise that Bournemouth have only tasted victory over United on a handful of occasions.

However, those occasions have always been ones to savour for those associated with the south coast club, including the last two seasons at Old Trafford – both 3-0 wins.

The first of five victories came in January 1984 when the then Second Division Cherries knocked holders United out of the FA Cup at the third round stage.

Four wins have since followed in the Premier League, including those comprehensive wins over the past two Decembers – last year Huijsen, Justin Kluivert (penalty) and Semenyo scored the goals.

The corresponding fixture last season ended 1-1 when Rasmus Hojlund equalised deep in stoppage time to earn a point after Semenyo’s 23^rd minute opener and a controversial 70^th minute sending off for the hosts’ Evanilson.

Their very first meeting came in a 1949 FA Cup tie when United romped to a 6-0 third round FA Cup victory against the then Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic.

In a tie played at Maine Road, famous names such as Stan Pearson, Jack Rowley (two), Charlie Mitten and Ronnie Burke (two) were the scorers.