FA Premier League

Manchester United 4:1 Bournemouth

Old Trafford

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Sun, 30 December 2018 @ 4:30pm GMT
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    roonster09

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    Failed managers are wary of criticizing other managers. Nev has been very self conscious since his Valencia disaster.
    He backed Moyes too and that was before Neville's Valencia stint.

    I think he should stop this "back manager no matter what".
     

    VeevaVee

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    I think people have been overly harsh with their criticism of Neville in the past, but what the feck is he on about here? He's right, but can't he see how it doesn't go hand in hand with what he was passionately saying not very long ago?
     

    King7Eric

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    To change his opinion to fit a narrative?

    If he has an opinion and sticks to it, its totally fine..
    He will say whatever he is asked to say and argue that point.
    He's paid to do this. I don't find a problem with this, people really need to take things less seriously. All of us would be doing the same if we were paid that much to argue with ourselves.
     

    roonster09

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    To change his opinion to fit a narrative?

    If he has an opinion and sticks to it, its totally fine..
    He will say whatever he is asked to say and argue that point.
    Changing opinion is fine, he would be stupid to stick to original point if he thinks he was wrong in the first place.
     

    prateik

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    He's paid to do this. I don't find a problem with this, people really need to take things less seriously. All of us would be doing the same if we were paid that much to argue with ourselves.
    I don't have a problem with it either.. I love Nev. I just ignore most of what he says. And that goes for all "pundits".

    If they have some factual information that I might not be privy to, then great.. I'm listening.. But I don't care for their opinions. I can form my own.

    Changing opinion is fine, he would be stupid to stick to original point if he thinks he was wrong in the first place.
    He stuck by it long enough.

    It's just that the talking point changed and he changed his tone to fit the narrative.

    The problem is , no one knows what he really thinks. He'll just say whatever he feels he needs to.

    Why would I want to listen to someone like that?
     

    roonster09

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    He stuck by it long enough.

    It's just that the talking point changed and he changed his tone to fit the narrative.

    The problem is , no one knows what he really thinks. He'll just say whatever he feels he needs to.

    Why would I want to listen to someone like that?
    Yeah timing is very convenient for him. TBH I don't listen to Neville or any pundits, I just read whatever is posted on caf, When something makes a huge news then I watch it. I usually disagree with almost everything he says.
     

    el3mel

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    You don't?
    Yes. I prefer that way from our legends than jumping on criticizing the manager of the club and talking about him badly in the media which just pools more pressure on them and serves no purpose while it won't affect the club's decision anyway. People just want to hear what they want, and if they don't they immediately describe the pundit as a prick or full of shite.
     

    Ban

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    Was trying to find a matchday thread and incidentally ended up in a Gary Neville one.
     

    minoo-utd

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    Ole is someone cares with the psychological side too it seems, which is massive and very important.
     

    OldPop

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    Logically, we should be more careful when we meet Bournemouth, they are not harmless, but I hope Ole takes the risk and releases all the creativity that is in the team. I ignore if we let in any goal but want to see a flying attack football.

    I also hope he gives more players the chance from the start, why not Lukaku if he is in shape, then we will see if the magic continues to work on those who receive Ole's blessing. It is so exciting to see if we can be surprised by something positive once again!
     

    Ole urges De Gea and Martial to extend

    “I know the club want them to sign, of course, because they are top quality players,” Solskjaer said ahead of his third game in charge, against Bournemouth, at Old Trafford on Sunday. “It’s down to the players, but when you’re at Man United there isn’t a lot of greener grass on the other side. You are at the best place. It’s the biggest club in the world.

    “For me, I would hope I can help or guide these players to maybe tip them over to thinking they want to stay at this club.

    “If you are a regular at Manchester United, I think you should grasp the opportunity to stay here and become part of the history.

    “I had loads of offers and possibilities to move but the manager [Sir Alex Ferguson] sat me down and told me I was going to be an important part of his team, his squad, and I was going to play enough games

    “I felt privileged to play here. I am also stubborn. The club agreed to sell me to Spurs one time and I said, ‘No, thank you’. My agent wanted me to go but I knew I was at the best place.

    “I wasn’t sure the grass was greener somewhere else. I had a period when I wasn’t playing. I would get angry. Then he [Ferguson] would put me in the team and I would feel a big part of it and important. But we’re not talking about squad players now – we are talking about top players.”

    The Red Roman

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    Telecast Schedule and Info

    ......VS.....
    ..



    Date - Sunday, December 30 2018
    Kickoff Time - 1630 Hrs GMT
    Venue - Old Trafford, Manchester




    League standings and form guide

    6. Manchester United: DWLWW

    11. Bournemouth: WLLWL


    Previous League Meetings

    Bournemouth 1—2 Manchester United

    Bournemouth 0—2 Manchester United

    Manchester United 1—0 Bournemouth

    Manchester United 1—1 Bournemouth

    Bournemouth 1—3 Manchester United


    All-Time League Record

    Manchester United wins: 5
    Bournemouth wins: 1
    Draws: 1


    Pre-Match Pressers

    Ole Gunnar Solskjær


    Eddie Howe



    Team News

    Manchester United

    Marcos Rojo ruled out. Anthony Martial, Alexis Sánchez, Chris Smalling and Scott McTominay doubtful.


    Bournemouth

    Adam Smith, Lewis Cook, Dan Gosling and Simon Francis ruled out.


    Know the opposition



    Association Football Club Bournemouth (nicknamed The Cherries and Boscombe) is a professional football club based in Bournemouth, Dorset. The exact date of the club's foundation is not known, but there is proof that it was formed as Bascombe FC in the autumn of 1899 out of the remains of the older Boscombe St. John's Lads’ Institute FC. Nicknamed The Cherries (Dean Court was built adjacent to the Cooper-Dean estate, which encompassed numerous cherry orchards), the team traditionally played in red shirts with white sleeves until 1971, when the strip was changed to red and black stripes, similar to that of AC Milan. The club was renamed in 1923 to Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic F.C. in 1923, which was the name until 1972, when it becomes A.F.C. Bournemouth.

    Bournemouth have won the second and third tiers of English football, and were twice runners-up of the fourth tier. They have also won the Football League Trophy, and the Football League Third Division South Cup. Bournemouth have spent the majority of their history bouncing between the third and fourth tier of English football. Under manager Eddie Howe, they have risen through the pyramid; the 2015–16 season was Bournemouth's first ever in England's top division. Bournemouth's biggest rivals are Brighton & Hove Albion, Reading FC and Southampton FC. They play their home games at Dean Court, Bournemouth — currently known as the Vitality Stadium.


    Referee

    Lee Mason.


    Familiar Faces

    Joshua King (at Manchester United from 2008-2013)

    It’s been great having Ole in so far, he has been humble, positive and enthusiastic in his approach, a complete contrast to Jose which in turn has injected some much needed confidence into a squad who were desperate for some good feeling. A win against Bournemouth will help keep the feel good momentum going, but it will a much trickier game for United than what we have faced so far against Cardiff and Huddersfield. As Ole pointed out in his pre-match press conference psychologically the ‘Ole’s first game’ and ‘Ole’s return to Old Trafford’ vibe is not there for this game, tactically we will be up against a Bournemouth side whose performances have been characterised, as always, by good possession play and tactical flexibility. I think this will be a step in terms of test for this new enthusiasm and Ole’s ability tactically. There is not much point looking at points totals till we get to the last 10 games in my opinion now, if we are in contention by then that Ole would have done well in my opinion.

    The most major difference in the side so far has been psychological, but there has been improvements in United’s play tactically too. Firstly Solskjear has used the 4-3-3 as his base formation, this has also been on paper the system that suits United’s players best, but Mourinho tended to flip flap between that and 4-2-3-1 generally before playing all sorts of formations so far this season. We have seen a more aggressive approach without the ball, United are counter-pressing with more aggression in the negative transition, winning the ball back in the opponents half more rgulallry, but for me the major difference has been how United are moving the ball when in possession. We have seen the ‘wide’ forwards drift narrow so far so we can overload the midfield area, allowing us to move the ball with one or two touch passing combination play. A perfect example of this was Martial’s goal against Cardiff. Against Huddersfield we probably lacked a little bit of directness to our play, I thought Martial was a big miss. Martial doesn’t drift inside as much as Lingard or Mata, he holds the width higher up the pitch more before driving infield to instigate some combination play or take on his opponent 1v1 with his direct dribbling. I would expect him to return the side here probably for Mata. Bournemouth's full-backs like to overlap aggressively, Martial’s threat will certainly pin them back and Bournemouth have injury problems at right-back with both Smith and Francis out so will probably be using a makeshift player in that position. In fact we might see a complete change of shape completely from Bournemouth to accommodate for their injury problems with Ryan Fraser as a right-wing back in a 3-4-1-2, either way Martial gives us more attacking balance than we would have with Lingard and Mata. Rashford and Lingard’s pace and movement will be vital in the transitions against a side that suffer from defensive lapses and openness at defensive transitions. The Cherries can leave themselves exposed to quick counter-attacks.

    As mentioned there is a clear question mark is in terms of what system Bournemouth will use: Howe can change his usual 4-4-2 to a 3-4-3 because of their injury problem at right-back. In midfield Jefferson Lerma will have an important defensive midfield job to perform. The Colombian international has provided tenacity in the centre alongside Andrew Surman, who is capable of dictating play alongside him. I want to see United continue to be aggressive with their pressing. For me Herrera has to come back into the side for this reason, he is a highly intelligent player and knows when to start the press, often pushing up and urging teammates forward in support. Without him, this side lacks urgency. He provides balance to let Pogba have some freedom the other side of Nemnaja Matic who also looks a lot sharper in the last two games. Bournemouth do play good possession based football, but I would expect them to look to protect their defence more here and play on the break allowing United to build up attacks relatively unopposed.

    Bournemouth have real quality going forward, the main threat for them this season has been the clever drifts of Ryan Fraser and David Brooks, two of the division's star performers so far this season. Neither are natural wingers, preferring to move inside into creative positions between the lines, and therefore this system - with two players permanently providing width behind them down either flank - works very nicely. How Bournemouth line-up could dictate where they are deployed but they can defiantly cause us serious problems between the lines. Callum Wilson has been their most important player though. He's dropped deep impressively to drag defenders out and link play and I would expect Jones or Lindelof to ‘lock-on to him when he does that movement as we have seen them be aggressive so far rather than holding their position. It would be great for Lindelof and Jones to build a reliable centre-back partnership. The full-backs might well be unopposed in this game, again depending on Bournemouth’s shape, but I would expect Young to return for Dalot at right-back. In truth Young is probably United's best defensive option in both full-back roles. Although not a natural defender, he's good in one-on-one situations, whereas Shaw can find himself in poor positions, but both could have plenty of freedom to get forward on the overlap.

    I think our pressing has been good in recent games and I would expect us to turn the ball over in midfield before exposing Bournemouth in transition with some quick attacking play from our front three. I think Martial will bring some directness down the left and could cause Bournemouth serious problems down that flank with Bournemouth missing both their right-backs someone will be playng out of position. United are struggling for clean sheets still though and David Brooks ans Ryan Fraser are the type of players that could cause Matic plenty of problems between the lines so think United will win 3-1 again.



    Subs - Romero, Dalot, Bailly, Fellani, Mata, Sanchez, Lukaku
     

    Bola

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    Excited to see the team sheet today.

    Hoping that Perreira gets a start and the 'old guard' of Lukkaku and Valencia don't suddenly walk back in the team

    Fingers crossed that we will also see another academy product feature in some way - Gomes and/ or Garner
     

    In Rainbows

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    Yes. I prefer that way from our legends than jumping on criticizing the manager of the club and talking about him badly in the media which just pools more pressure on them and serves no purpose while it won't affect the club's decision anyway. People just want to hear what they want, and if they don't they immediately describe the pundit as a prick or full of shite.
    So those pundits are free to criticize our players, but god forbid they criticize our manager. Those pundits are paid to give their opinion. We as fans will call out BS when it's there.
     

    el3mel

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    So those pundits are free to criticize our players, but god forbid they criticize our manager. Those pundits are paid to give their opinion. We as fans will call out BS when it's there.
    I didn't say that, beside, you can out BS without hating on the man and calling him a prick etc like people does, similar to Luckhurst thread. Some here act like just because this journalist says a different opinion he's a prick, idiot and full of shite. It doesn't deserve all that.
     

    Catt

    Ole's at the wheel!
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    Could we land today? I don't mean to ruin the mood but think this game will be tricky.
     

    In Rainbows

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    I didn't say that, beside, you can out BS without hating on the man and calling him a prick etc like people does, similar to Luckhurst thread. Some here act like just because this journalist says a different opinion he's a prick, idiot and full of shite. It doesn't deserve all that.
    This is about his stance on supporting the manager no matter the evidence and no matter if he doesn't fit the club. He's a pundit who has a go at our players. That's why I questioned why you wouldn't question him. The reasoning is just not consistent. You're fine with him putting pressure on our players, but not the manager.
     

    el3mel

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    This is about his stance on supporting the manager no matter the evidence and no matter if he doesn't fit the club. He's a pundit who has a go at our players. That's why I questioned why you wouldn't question him. The reasoning is just not consistent. You're fine with him putting pressure on our players, but not the manager.
    For the second time I didn't say this. Stop saying things I didn't say!

    Well, he's free to say what he wants and you're free to agree or call out he's saying BS from your view. What I can't get is the hatred and insults thrown at any pundits or journalists because they say different points of view than some here. Can't get this. It's just opinions. You ca agree or disagree with this but not the the degree of calling him prick etc.
     

    RedTillI'mDead

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    This is one of the games I've most looked forward to in years.

    Under Moyes we seemed to lack a sensible strategy or any cohesion and it became apparent the management was seriously mentally weak and out of its depth.

    Under LVG the control aspect of the game was so strong it was literally watching death by a trillion cuts football. But for all the strength it still lacked quality, partly due to lack of top class investment.

    Under Mourinho we had the investment, but pragmatism was overcome by stubborn minded arrogance that was both ineffective in its core objectives as well as not playing to our obvious strengths.

    The last two games should have been won by most managers, there is truth to that. 8 goals scored is still noteworthy and it's this manner of winning that makes the next game so exciting.

    Bournemouth are off form so this may not prove to be the game it could, but it's still like the first step in a new boxers career up the ladder. Its like the first fight against a 'known' boxer, a top tier boxer. Still outside the top 10 of boxers, but a fight that will show we are more than just young and hungry.

    What makes this intriguing is that unlike the last two games where we expected to win, this feels like it could go numerous ways...

    1) we could do a Spurs, continue our great form and smash them.
    2) We could do more of a Huddlesfield and ride our luck with absorbing a few attacks, but eventually win out with our stronger attack.
    3) Our new attacking style could get unlucky not quite be hitting it on the day and they could get us on the break or with a particularly moment. Our defence certainly has some fragility and a lack of steel to it. The goal against Huddlesfield was a perfect example. We had tons of players in the box and yet all those players got left for dead in defence. It was appalling. What the hell has Mourinho been doing for us to be so bad at an area that he so focused on. Maybe the loss of his assistant defensive coach Faria really was the killer blow.

    I might vote the chances at 75% 1 or 2 and 25% on the loss.

    I might be ignoring the draw, but that's intentional. I dont think it will be a draw. Of course the line between 2/3 could end the game that way, but I think both teams are attacking minded and will seek chances. I think if we play as we can it should be an easy win, if we are off form and they pick up from a bad run of form then we could suffer a surprise loss.

    Getting this game right and then against Newcastle would demonstrate a level of consistency that has sorely been missing. If we can score several goals and still win, even if conceding a few goals, it will start to scare teams. It would be a big step in our recovery.

    The fear factor that came with SAF was teams being indecisive. Do they attack and get ripped to shreds on the counter or do they sit back and spend the game with the goal getting peppered.

    This is the big advantage of attacking football. It provides indecisiveness. It reduces the chance to build confidence against us. Even a dominant team will have to be worried about the quality of the attack. Players used to scoring regular goals are more likely to score on a lucky break than players whose game has been about limited chances and thus have limited practice.
     

    Posh Red

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    He did talk about the board after Jose was sacked. Just because he doesn't do it at every opportunity a camera is stuck into his face doesn't mean he has changed his sentiments.
    I think you’re missing the point here though? Why didn’t Mourinho ever mention anything about our style of football being contrary to united tradition in the past? He’s still a pundit at the end of the day and shouldn’t hold back his opinions entirely.
     

    In Rainbows

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    For the second time I didn't say this. Stop saying things I didn't say!

    Well, he's free to say what he wants and you're free to agree or call out he's saying BS from your view. What I can't get is the hatred and insults thrown at any pundits or journalists because they say different points of view than some here. Can't get this. It's just opinions. You ca agree or disagree with this but not the the degree of calling him prick etc.
    I questioned why you didn't have a problem with his stance.
    Neville has the same mentality as Fergie when it comes to media talk. Support whoever in charge of the job. I don't find a problem in this.
    But that's the thing. He has an agenda. You can't expect people to not call him a prick when he's criticizing Pogba for his haircut, and then he defends Mourinho or any manager to the hilt, where he then later admits that manager didn't fit. So he clearly disagrees with a manager, but he will not be objective about it on camera.
     

    Raees

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    Going to the game today - is Martial looking likely to play or not?
     

    el3mel

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    I questioned why you didn't have a problem with his stance.


    But that's the thing. He has an agenda. You can't expect people to not call him a prick when he's criticizing Pogba for his haircut, and then he defends Mourinho or any manager to the hilt, where he then later admits that manager didn't fit.
    I'm talking about a certain point which is supporting whoever in charge of the job, which he shares with Fergie who supported Moyes and LVG too. I didn't mention his stance of players.

    I don't get the agenda thing. He's one of our own. He's an ex United player who was spent his whole career with us since academy days. He just wants the best for us under whoever in charge. Whether he supported Mourinho or not, it doesn't mean he's going to not support Ole or hope for him to fall, so calling him a prick or insulting him is pretty harsh. You can say he's talking nonsense or is a pundit with terrible opinions, but the lenght some go here, I can't get it.
     

    In Rainbows

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    I'm talking about a certain point which is supporting whoever in charge of the job, which he shares with Fergie who supported Moyes and LVG too. I didn't mention his stance of players.

    I don't get the agenda thing. He's one of our own. He's an ex United player who was spent his whole career with us since academy days. He just wants the best for us under whoever in charge. Whether he supported Mourinho or not, it doesn't mean he's going to not support Ole or hope for him to fall, so calling him a prick or insulting him is pretty harsh. You can say he's talking nonsense or is a pundit with terrible opinions, but the lenght some go here, I can't get it.
    The agenda is pretty clear. That's why I brought up the players. If he wants what is best for United and that is his reasoning for never criticizing the manager, then why does he criticize the players for some awful reasons (haircut)? If he wants what's best for United, why refuse to criticize a manager when a manager can be terrible for the club? If a manager had United in relegation spots, would not criticizing the manager be what's best for the club?

    Now you see why people call him names because he puts his manager above all agenda over the club. That or because he takes the job of a pundit, and when it comes to the manager topic refuses to do the job of a good pundit. Either be a pundit or not. Bit hypocritical if he doesn't want to use his platform to destabilize a manager, but is more than willing to do so for a player.
     
    Last edited:

    el3mel

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    The agenda is pretty clear. That's why I brought up the players. If he wants what is best for United and that is his reasoning for never criticizing the manager, then why does he criticize the players for some awful reasons (haircut)? If he wants what's best for United, why refuse to criticize a manager when a manager can be terrible for the club? If a manager had United in relegation spots, would not criticizing the manager be what's best for the club?

    Now you see why people call him names because he puts his manager above all agenda over the club. That or because he takes the job of a pundit, but when it comes to managers refuses to do the job of a good pundit.
    That's not 'agenda'. He has no reason to support an outsider with no attachment to the club like Mourinho except if it's just his opinion.

    You don't have to agree with him at all, as I said you can say he's a pundit of a terrible opinions or talks nonsense, but at the end of the day he's one of our own, played his whole career with United and wants United to succeed as much or maybe even more than any of us, and will be happy to see Ole to succeed. He's going to support whoever in charge of the job. We can then disagree with whatever he says, that's not the problem.
     
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Post-match discussion

Man of the Match

Paul Pogba image Paul Pogba 88% of 791 votes

Runners-up

Player Ratings

6.7 Total Average Rating

Highest Rated Player

Lowest Rated Player

Compiled from 549 ratings.

Score Predictions

540,9,10
  • Man Utd win
  • Bournemouth win
  • Draw

Detailed Results

  • 21% Man Utd 3:0 Bournemouth
  • 16% Man Utd 3:1 Bournemouth
  • 15% Man Utd 2:0 Bournemouth
  • 13% Man Utd 4:0 Bournemouth
  • 9% Man Utd 2:1 Bournemouth
  • 7% Man Utd 5:0 Bournemouth
  • 7% Man Utd 4:1 Bournemouth
  • 3% Man Utd 3:2 Bournemouth
  • 3% Man Utd 4:2 Bournemouth
  • 2% Man Utd 5:1 Bournemouth
  • 1% Man Utd 1:0 Bournemouth
  • 1% Man Utd 1:1 Bournemouth
  • 1% Man Utd 0:1 Bournemouth
  • 1% Man Utd 5:2 Bournemouth
  • 0% Man Utd 0:5 Bournemouth
  • 0% Man Utd 0:0 Bournemouth
  • 0% Man Utd 1:2 Bournemouth
  • 0% Man Utd 1:3 Bournemouth
  • 0% Man Utd 0:2 Bournemouth
  • 0% Man Utd 3:3 Bournemouth
  • 0% Man Utd 0:3 Bournemouth
  • 0% Man Utd 2:2 Bournemouth
Compiled from 559 predictions.
Show more results Score Predictions League Table

Match Stats

  1. Man Utd
  2. Bournemouth
Possession
65% 35%
Shots
11 7
Shots on Target
8 3
Corners
4 5
Fouls
10 7

Referee

Lee Mason