The 2025/26 Premier League season will continue on Friday with Gameweek 31, which will be a truncated round of fixtures. Bournemouth vs Manchester United will kick things off at the Vitality Stadium, with both teams eager to secure three points this week.
Bournemouth’s recent upsurge in form has turned frustrating, as the Cherries have struggled to put teams away. While Andoni Iraola’s men are on a ten-match unbeaten run in the Premier League, they have played out four stalemates in their last four outings. Nevertheless, the hosts have become a hard team to beat, and they will give Manchester United a run for their money this week.
On the other hand, Manchester United’s turnaround under Michael Carrick continued last week, as they beat Aston Villa 3-1 at Old Trafford. The results helped the Red Devils open up a three-point buffer over the fourth-placed team and beyond, giving them some breathing room. Additionally, Carrick’s charges may have slight hopes of finishing second if Manchester City’s inconsistent run continues.
The reverse fixture saw Bournemouth thrice come from a goal down to hold Manchester United to a 4-4 draw, with Eli Junior Kroupi scoring the equaliser. The Hard Tackle looks closer at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Andoni Iraola has no new injury concerns to worry about ahead of his side’s latest fixture. The Bournemouth head coach will be bereft of the services of four first-team players vs Manchester United on Friday.
Lewis Cook is the most notable absentee, with the English midfielder recovering from a hamstring injury. The 29-year-old accompanies Julio Soler (muscular), Tyler Adams (knock), and Justin Kluivert (knee) in the treatment room.
Djordje Petrovic is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Bournemouth lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him vs Manchester United on Friday. The backline will feature Adam Smith, James Hill, Marcos Senesi, and Adrien Truffert.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Alex Scott and Ryan Christie in the double pivot. Marcus Tavernier will reprise the no. 10 role, with David Brooks and Rayan being the two wide attackers. Finally, Evanilson will lead the line for Bournemouth against Manchester United.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Smith, Hill, Senesi, Truffert; Scott, Christie; Brooks, Tavernier, Rayan; Evanilson
Like his counterpart in the Bournemouth dugout, Michael Carrick has no new issues hampering his preparations ahead of the trip to the Vitality Stadium. The Manchester United head coach will be without three first-team players on Friday.
Lisandro Martinez (calf) is the closest among the quartet to being on the cusp of returning to action, and he should be back after the international break. For now, the Argentine international accompanies Matthijs de Ligt (lower back) and Patrick Dorgu (hamstring) in the treatment room. Meanwhile, Noussair Mazraoui is recovering from an illness and faces a late fitness test to determine his availability.
Senne Lammens is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Manchester United lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him vs Bournemouth on Friday. The backline will feature Diogo Dalot, Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, and Luke Shaw.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo in the double pivot, with Bruno Fernandes reprising the no. 10 role. Finally, Bryan Mbeumo will spearhead the Manchester United attack against Bournemouth, with Matheus Cunha and Amad Diallo being the two wide attackers.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Amad, Bruno Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo
While Bryan Mbeumo, Evanilson, and Rayan were viable candidates for this section, we have picked Bruno Fernandes as the Player to Watch for Friday’s Premier League clash between Bournemouth and Manchester United at the Vitality Stadium.
The Manchester United captain has been involved in eight goals in his eight Premier League games against Bournemouth (G4 A4). However, only two of these (G2) have come at the Vitality Stadium. Meanwhile, Fernandes has created six or more chances in his last three Premier League outings, becoming the first player to do so since Trent Alexander-Arnold in December 2023.
No player on record (from 2003/04) has created six or more chances in four successive Premier League appearances in the competition. So, with such numbers and with Fernandes chasing history, it is hardly surprising that he is a captaincy candidate in FPL for Gameweek 31 and Michael Carrick’s go-to player in the final third.
Recent meetings between Bournemouth and Manchester United have been frustrating for the Red Devils, as they have struggled to put the Cherries away. Things may not change much this week, as Bournemouth and Manchester United are two of the most in-form teams in the Premier League, with the hosts being on the longest active unbeaten run in the top flight.
However, the visitors have an edge about them under Michael Carrick, and despite the defeat to Newcastle United a few weeks ago, they will have learnt their lessons to put Bournemouth away. Nevertheless, a closely-contested affair is on the cards, and the away side may secure a hard-fought win. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 victory for Carrick and his charges.
