Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Meeting in the early hours of Thursday, Manchester United and Bournemouth will extend on their summer preparations when they battle it out at Soldier Field.
Manchester United
Starting with Manchester United, while the Red Devils might have opened up their summer tour of the United States with a 2-1 victory against West Ham in New York last weekend, it is no secret that Ruben Amorim still has some serious pressure on his shoulders. Suffering Europa League heartbreak back in May and slumping their way to an infamous 15th-place finish, the Premier League giants broke a string of unwanted records. Remarkably mustering just a single top-flight victory since returning from March’s international break, Manchester United also struggled to find any kind of fluidity in the final third. In fact, notching just 44 Premier League strikes last season, Amorim’s side signed off the 2024/25 campaign with the fifth-worst attacking tally among England’s elite.
Manchester United Team News
Not travelling over to the United States this summer, Argentinian international Lisandro Martinez remains on the sidelines with a long-term knee injury. However, completing a permanent switch from Wolves last month, new recruit Matheus Cunha will feature at Soldier Field.
Likewise, bagging a pair of strikes against West Ham last weekend, skipper Bruno Fernandes will get some more minutes under his belt. Despite speculation over his future at Old Trafford, Rasmus Hojlund will keep his spot leading the line.
Bournemouth
As for Bournemouth, signing off the 2024/25 campaign with a routine 2-0 victory against Leicester, the Cherries gained a string of plaudits from across England’s elite last season. Securing a top-half premier League finish, Andoni Iraola’s squad have their sights set on mounting another genuine European charge next year. Likewise, getting their summer preparations with a stellar 3-0 romp against Everton in New York, the former Rayo Vallecano boss finds the mood in his camp at a continued high. Looking to lay down another summer statement here, Bournemouth should be excited by a rugged record against Thursday’s opponents. In fact, Iraola’s side are unbeaten in all of their previous four Premier League meetings against Manchester United.
Bournemouth Team News
Completing a permanent switch from Chelsea earlier in the month, new recruit Djordje Petrovic will start between the sticks here. Opening his summer account against Everton last weekend, 20-year-old Daniel Add Adjei should get some more minutes under his belt in Chicago.
Singing off the 2024/25 campaign with a brace against Leicester on May 25th, Antoine Semenyo should be handed a full recall in the early hours of Thursday. Arriving from French outfit Rennes this summer, Adrien Truffert will feature at left-back.
Manchester United vs Bournemouth Key Factors to Consider
- When Manchester United and Bournemouth last met back on April 27th, Thursday’s opponents played out a 1-1 stalemate at the Vitality.
- Bournemouth are unbeaten in their previous four Premier League meetings against the Red Devils (two wins, two draws).
- Manchester United mustered just a single Premier League win since returning from March’s international break.
- Bournemouth have won their three friendly appearances this summer by an aggregate score of 11-3.
- Five of the last seven meetings between Manchester United and Bournemouth have finished with over 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
Getting their summer tour of the United States underway with a stellar 3-0 romp against Everton last weekend in New York, Bournemouth will be confident of collecting another Premier League scalp here. Unbeaten in all of their previous four top-flight meetings against Manchester United, the Cherries will certainly ask some real questions at Soldier Field. With five of the previous seven meetings between Thursday’s opponents finishing with over 2.5 goals, we could be treated to another enjoyable in midweek.
Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
