Manchester United face Bournemouth next in the Premier League and Friday’s opponents are significantly weaker than they were in the reverse fixture.
In the first meeting between these two sides this season, Manchester United drew 4-4 with Bournemouth at Old Trafford in a chaotic Premier League clash under Ruben Amorim.
There were eight different goalscorers on the day, including United target Antoine Semenyo, who impressed for the Cherries ahead of the January transfer window.
United missed out on Semenyo because he chose instead to join rivals Manchester City over the winter. Not only will Bournemouth be without their former talisman, but forward Justin Kluivert is also set to miss the clash.
Justin Kluivert set to miss Man United clash
In the reverse fixture back in December, both Antoine Semenyo and Kluivert lined up for Bournemouth behind Evanilson as the central striker.
Bournemouth confirmed in January that Kluivert has undergone surgery for a knee injury which is set to rule him out for the rest of the season.
Midfielder Tyler Adams has been linked to United, but he is also an injury doubt for Bournemouth after picking up a knock in training.
United are without Lisandro Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt, Patrick Dorgu and Mason Mount as injury absentees. Michael Carrick is set to provide further updates on their fitness in his pre-match press conference.
Justin Kluivert has haunted Man Utd and Michael Carrick
Like Semenyo, Kluivert has scored three times against United throughout his career.
Kluivert has not suffered defeat against United since joining Bournemouth, winning two and drawing three games against the Red Devils.
His first goal against United came when Kluivert was playing for Red Bull Leipzig. In 2020, Leipzig beat Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United 3-2 and knocked them out of the Champions League.
READ MORE: Man United were torn apart by Bournemouth star that Jose Mourinho wanted to sign in 2018
Kluivert scored the third and decisive goal of that game, and Carrick was on the bench as Solskjaer’s assistant at the time.
Eli Junior Kroupi and Marcus Tavernier have filled in for Kluivert since his injury, so Carrick will instead have to create a game plan to keep them quiet on Friday evening.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/7zokxZG