BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton has admitted that he is “backing” one team to come out on top between Manchester United and Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
Manchester United return to Premier League action on Sunday afternoon ahead of resuming their crucial Europa League campaign next Thursday in Spain.
The Red Devils will face Bournemouth in their Premier League clash at the Vitality Stadium on the weekend, with kick-off slated for 2pm UK time.
Following the Bournemouth match, Ruben Amorim’s men will then travel to Spain to face La Liga side Athletic Club in the semi-finals at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao.
United will host Athletic Club in the return leg of the Europa League semi-finals at Old Trafford on 8th May, with a place in the final hanging in the balance.
Ruben Amorim has already made it clear how important United’s run in the Europa League campaign is now after a lacklustre 2024-25 Premier League season.
United are 14th in the Premier League table and they face the real risk of not securing European football for next season if they don’t win the Europa League.
Chris Sutton speaks out about Ruben Amorim’s challenge at Man Utd ahead of the Premier League match vs Bournemouth
The Red Devils fell to their 15th Premier League defeat of the season after Wolves edged out Manchester United in a 1-0 win at Old Trafford last Sunday.
Ruben Amorim’s men have managed only one win from their last five Premier League matches and the Red Devils have only five league fixtures remaining.
Bournemouth are currently eighth in the Premier League table and are 11 points clear of United, but the Cherries have one victory in their last five league matches.
Speaking in his BBC Sport column, Chris Sutton has now tipped United manager Amorim to “play more younger players” against Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon.
“Bournemouth hammered Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford before Christmas and they have to be heavy favourites to win this game too,” he said.
“United travel to play Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final next Thursday, and Ruben Amorim has already spoken about how he will prioritise that competition over the Premier League.
“So, Amorim will play more younger players here and on top of that, although Bournemouth are not on a great run of results, they are still in better form than United are.”
What was Chris Sutton’s Premier League prediction for Bournemouth vs Man Utd at the Vitality Stadium?
Sutton insisted that he could see “two pretty tight” matches between United and Athletic Club in the semi-finals of the Europa League next month.
“I am backing Bournemouth and it is going to be tough for United against Bilbao too,” he continued.
“Bilbao got the better of Rangers in the last round and I am expecting two pretty tight games.
“Rangers did have some opportunities, though, so United have got a chance if they can click going forward.
“Having the second leg at Old Trafford will help Amorim’s side, too.”
Sutton has tipped Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth side to secure all three points at the Vitality Stadium with a 2-1 win over United in their Premier League contest.
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