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Nine games in and Ruben Amorim’s Man Utd defence still look like strangers

joel mians
·25-min read
Diogo Dalot with his head in his hands
Diogo Dalot and his team-mates were booed off at the final whistle - Phil Noble/Reuters

Ruben Amorim still faces a major decision over Marcus Rashford but, after 90 turbulent minutes that ended with Manchester United being booed off at Old Trafford, his problems extend far beyond the fate of the England international.

A little over 12 months removed from a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth under his predecessor Erik ten Hag, Amorim repeated the feat to the letter, seeing his “new-look” three-man defence compile a catalogue of errors, conceding twice in two minutes just after the hour.

But it was Bournemouth’s opening goal, Dean Huijsen heading in direct from a free-kick, that set the tone for Amorim’s fourth defeat in nine games as United manager.

Before the match, as they have in every game under their new manager, all United’s outfield players congregated on the edge of the area as set-piece specialist coach Carlos Fernandes pummelled them with high balls, warming up for the inevitable aerial assault.

As has been the case in almost every game of late, the tactic failed just 29 minutes into the game after Tyrell Malacia capped a hapless performance by fouling Adam Smith on the wing and Ryan Christie floated over a free-kick. Huijsen was unmarked, probably by Joshua Zirkzee although so bad was the organisation that it was hard to be certain, to head in from six yards.

It was the seventh time in six games under Amorim that his defence, now built around three central defenders and two wing-backs, had conceded from a set-piece and the ninth time in the Premier League this season.

Bournemouth players celebrating
Bournemouth piled pressure on United and were well rewarded - Getty Images/Nathan Stirk

In the calendar year, the 17 goals United have allowed from set-pieces is the largest number in Premier League history, a pattern that started under Ten Hag but which has, if anything, accelerated under his successor.

Predictable though that goal may have been, there was little clue of the spectacular collapse that settled the game just after the hour when Amorim’s defence conceded twice in as many minutes.

First, Justin Kluivert sprinted into the area and was tripped from behind by Noussair Mazraoui, a penalty decision from referee Craig Pawson which VAR confirmed despite United protests.

Kluivert, who recently became the first player in Premier League history to score three penalties in the same game at Wolves, made no mistake with a cool finish that André Onana was nowhere near.

It was hard to see how a bad afternoon could become worse but, two minutes later Kobbie Mainoo carelessly gave the ball away in midfield. Antoine Semenyo broke upfield before finding Evanilson who timed his pass perfectly for Dango Ouattara to run onto. The winger selflessly picked out his team-mate in the area and, with Lisandro Martínez rooted to the spot and failing to close him down, Semenyo swept in an excellent finish.

Yet United could not point to a lack of opportunities as the key reason behind the defeat. In the five minutes before the interval, Bruno Fernandes alone had three good openings that could have brought an equaliser.

Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes had opportunities to get United back on even terms - Getty Images/Robbie Jay Barratt

Kepa Arrizabalaga saved one of those well and did likewise to preserve his team’s 3-0 lead when he dived to save an effort from substitute Rasmus Hojlund, whose cameo raised questions about whether he should have started.

There was even a chance, at 3-0 for Alejandro Garnacho, like Rashford, dropped for last week’s Manchester derby win but back in the fold and played clean through only to hit his effort straight at Kepa.

How the United manager must have wished for a fully-fit and fully-motivated Rashford to help turn the tide of this particular game.

04:10 PM GMT

Set piece shambles from Man Utd

04:01 PM GMT

Man Utd: Christmas Number 13

Manchester United’s sobering 3-0 defeat this afternoon against Bournemouth leaves them in 13th in the Premier League table, their lowest position at this stage of the season in 35 years.

03:57 PM GMT

Full time at Craven Cottage

03:56 PM GMT

Different year, same result for Bournemouth

03:55 PM GMT

Full time at Old Trafford

03:54 PM GMT

Full time: Leicester 0 Wolves 3

A brilliant first match in charge for Wolves head coach Vitor Pereira, after his side dispatch of Leicester with a 3-0 away win.

03:52 PM GMT

Full time: Everton 0 Chelsea 0

It finishes all square at Goodison Park, which means Chelsea drop points and Liverpool will be top of the table at Christmas.

03:51 PM GMT

Ramsdale a four -fingered force at Craven Cottage

The Southampton goalkeeper returns into the starting eleven this afternoon, after surgery on his finger.

03:47 PM GMT

85 mins: Fulham 0 Southampton 0

Adama Traore has come inches away from giving Fulham the lead, but the winger drills a low shot across that shaves the right hand post, as the Spaniard puts his hands to his side.

Southampton doing what they can to hold on for a precious point.

03:45 PM GMT

Amorim misery in Manchester

03:37 PM GMT

View from Goodison Park

Chelsea have been playing the second half like a side ‘expecting’ the winner to come, but they have barely threatened. Maresca will hope his substitutes will bring the necessary urgency. 

Everton are dangerous on the counter-attack and could easily be ahead.

03:35 PM GMT

76 mins: Everton 0 Chelsea 0

Everton were on the cusp of taking the lead, but Chelsea centre back Tosin has produced a magnificent block to deny Iliman Ndiaye with a tap in from six yards

03:31 PM GMT

70 mins: Leicester 0 Wolves 3

Santiago Bueno has come so close to giving Wolves their fourth of the afternoon, with a header that crashes onto the bar.

03:28 PM GMT

67 min: Fulham 0 Southampton 0

Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has pulled off a fantastic reflex save to keep the score at 0-0, flinging both hands upward to push Harry Wilson’s shot over the bar.

03:26 PM GMT

Bournemouth reaching heady heights under Iraola

03:25 PM GMT

View from Old Trafford

And a bad afternoon is now a full-blown disaster - two goals inside two minutes for the visitors.

Both, again, the result of appalling defending. Nine games into the Amorim era, this game might be the reality check everyone involved at Old Trafford needs.

03:24 PM GMT

View from Goodison Park

It’s feistier and louder at Goodison in the second half. The next 30 minutes will reveal plenty about Chelsea’s title chances. They have the quality. This is about character.

03:22 PM GMT

GOAL! Man Utd 0 Bournemouth 3 - Semenyo

Semenyo goal
Semenyo goal

It’s deja vu for Bournemouth at Old Trafford, as they now have gone 3-0 up through Antoine Semenyo, who fires the ball through Andre Onana’s legs!

03:19 PM GMT

GOAL! Man Utd 0 Bournemouth 2 (Kluivert)

Kluivert penalty
Kluivert penalty

Bournemouth have gone 2-0 up at Old Trafford, as Justin Kluivert converts from 12 yards after being fouled by Noussair Mazraoui.

03:10 PM GMT

View from Goodison Park

The bad news for Everton is Jack Harrison has just missed a sitter. The good news for Everton is Ndiaye has come to the party after a quiet first half.

03:08 PM GMT

View from the King Power Stadium

Ruud van Nistelrooy is not messing around, making two changes for the second half with Harry Winks and Wout Faes introduced.

Danny Ward stays in goal, however, which must be a risk considering how his confidence appears in tatters.

03:07 PM GMT

Half time scores

A reminder of the first half scores this afternoon as play resumes across the Premier League’s 2pm kick offs.

03:06 PM GMT

Is the second half at the King Power a formality? Not quite.

Wolves have played at a canter in the first half this afternoon at the King Power, surging into a 3-0 lead away by half time.

However, there is a precedent in this particular fixture for a team overturning a 3-0 deficit to somehow win the match 4-3.

Wolves did exactly that to Leicester in October 2003, wining 4-3 at Molineux after trailing 3-0 at half time.

Vitor Pereira will certainly hope history does not repeat itself today.

02:53 PM GMT

Half time verdict at Goodison Park

Everton are following the same blueprint against Chelsea that frustrated Arsenal a week ago. It’s working up to a point, as the game has no flow and the referee is constantly having to award free-kicks. 

Maresca won’t be too flustered yet. It’s all about the first goal here. If Chelsea get it they’ll force Everton to find a Plan B they probably do not possess.

02:51 PM GMT

Just a chill day for Huijsen

Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen with his “chill guy” celebration, based on the popular online meme after giving his side a 1-0 lead away at Man Utd.

02:48 PM GMT

View from the King Power Stadium

A third goal for Wolves, and Ruud van Nistelrooy was straight down the tunnel before the half-time whistle has even blown.

This time it was Matheus Cunha, advancing into the area to sweep the ball past Danny Ward.

For all of the focus on Wolves’s leaky defence this season, this is dreadful stuff from Leicester.

02:46 PM GMT

GOAL! Leicester 0 Wolves 3 (Cunha)

Cunha Leicester goal
Cunha Leicester goal

Wolves are running amok at the King Power Stadium! Matheus Cunha has scored their third goal before half time, with Vitor Pereira getting off to an excellent start to life as a Premier League manager.

02:42 PM GMT

View from the King Power Stadium

A second Wolves goal, and it’s another nightmare moment for the home team.

This is real behind the sofa stuff.

James Justin inexplicably missed Matt Doherty’s long pass but it then gets worse, with Rodrigo Gomes taking one touch which somehow bamboozles Danny Ward, who falls to the turf. The ball then goes over the line with Ward still lying on the pitch.

Leicester’s fans are furious, with chants of “We want Rudkin’ out aimed at the club’s director of football Jon Rudkin.

02:38 PM GMT

GOAL! Leicester 0 Wolves 2 - (Gomes)

Guedes goal
Guedes goal

Wolves have doubled their lead, but James Justin has had a nightmare for Leicester.

The defender completely missed the chance to clear his lines, which allows Rodrigo Gomes to sneak in and dispatch the ball past goalkeeper Danny Ward.

02:35 PM GMT

View from Goodison Park

Chelsea should feel aggrieved that they did not win a penalty. Pickford rushed recklessly from his line and took out Gusto just as the full-back shot at goal. 

The referee and Var have been extremely lenient. The visitors are settling and controlling the game far more.

02:32 PM GMT

View from Old Trafford

What did I say pre-game about United practising set-piece defending? However much they did, it wasn’t enough.

Yet again, United concede from a set-piece with Dean Huijsen unmarked six yards out.

02:32 PM GMT

GOAL! Man Utd 0 Bournemouth 1 (Huijsen)

Huijsen header
Huijsen header

Bournemouth have taken the lead at Old Trafford, and centre-back Dean Huijsen has scored with a wonderful header for the away side. Will they secure a second straight Premier League win away at Manchester United?

02:28 PM GMT

25 mins: Everton 0 Chelsea 0

Jordan Pickford has made his first vital save of the afternoon, with the Everton goalkeeper denying Nicolas Jackson with his legs after the striker was put through on goal by Cole Palmer.

02:26 PM GMT

View from Old Trafford

Not a great start at Old Trafford although both managers are particularly animated and entertaining in the technical areas.

Ruben Amorim looked particularly exasperated when a Tyrell Malacia mistake allowed Antoine Semenyo Bournemouth’s first shot. That was one of a number of errors his players have made in the early going - though let’s be generous and blame it on the conditions.

02:25 PM GMT

View from Goodison Park

A scrappy, combative game at Goodison so far. Exactly how Dyche would have wanted it. Caicedo has been Chelsea’s most impressive player so far, which tells you where this game is being played. Both keepers are still awaiting employment.

02:22 PM GMT

View from King Power Stadium

And there it goes. A mistake from Leicester’s defence, and a piece of quick thinking from Goncalo Guedes to put Wolves ahead.

Jannik Vestergaard failed to cut out Nelson Semedo’s pass and Guedes reacted to hook the ball under Leicester goalkeeper Danny Ward, who should have done better.

02:20 PM GMT

GOAL! Leicester 0 Wolves 1 (Guedes)

Guedes goal v Leicester
Guedes goal v Leicester

Wolves have taken the lead in Vitor Pereira’s first match in charge, and it’s Goncalo Guedes who has broken the deadlock with an acrobatic strike past goalkeeper Danny Ward.

02:18 PM GMT

View from the King Power Stadium

Pretty poor so far at King Power Stadium, with both teams desperately short of quality.

The pre-match prediction of a match filled with goals appears a trifle optimistic at the moment.

It’s very disjointed, and cagey. It does look like a piece of individual brilliance - or a mistake - will be required to break the tedium.

02:13 PM GMT

View from Goodison Park

Chelsea’s biggest test today may be dealing with set-pieces into the penalty area. Everton’s first chance to cause some havoc was pretty shambolic, with the ball refusing to stay static in the blustery wind. 

Harrison took his free-kick short and Chelsea counter-attacked. Maresca will be delighted if that’s a taste of what is to come.

02:11 PM GMT

View from Old Trafford

Man of the moment Diallo has had the first shot of the day in a game United could really do with winning.

They started the afternoon in 13th place, not great for a club whose worst ever Premier League finish was eighth, last season.

United have not finished outside the top 10 in English football since coming 13th in 1989-90, a season when winning the FA Cup was not only a consolation prize but also saved Sir Alex Ferguson’s job.

02:10 PM GMT

8 mins: Fulham 0 Southampton 0

It’s already a busy return for Aaron Ramsdale in the Southampton net, with the goalkeeper making a sharp save to deny Alex Iwobi from giving Fulham an early lead.

The 26 year old then pushes away a Fulham cross from the left as his team seek to gain some respite from Fulham’s attacks.

02:04 PM GMT

View from Old Trafford

First exchanges at a wind-swept Old Trafford and it’s already obvious that both keepers are not going to enjoy kicking in these conditions. Both have had a couple of semi-anxious moments with ball at their feet.

Good pre-Christmas atmosphere at OT despite the weather though.

02:04 PM GMT

Kick off

All four of the 2pm matches have kicked off across the Premier League.

02:03 PM GMT

View from the King Power Stadium

Leicester City’s chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha is at King Power Stadium today, and has been handing out free scarves to supporters.

It was Srivaddhanaprabha, known at the club as ‘Top’, who initiated the sacking of Steve Cooper last month and this has proved a difficult season so far.

Last season’s Championship winners were always likely to be in the battle for survival yet victory today could lift them into 15th place if Everton fail to beat Chelsea.

Three points would also take Leicester eight points above Wolves which, heading into Christmas, sounds quite significant.

02:01 PM GMT

Southampton’s bright pink catches the eye.

Both teams are out on the pitch at Craven Cottage, with Fulham dressed in their customary white kit, while the Southampton players are draped in a striking bright pink kit.

You certainly will not fail to pick out a teammate in that shirt. Interim manager Simon Rusk will be hoping the same, as his team enter this match, sitting rock bottom of the Premier League, with a paltry five points.

01:58 PM GMT

Will Bournemouth wreak havoc at Old Trafford again?

Senesi header Old Trafford
Senesi header Old Trafford

The last time Bournemouth visited Old Trafford in December last year, they ran riot against the home side, with a memorable 3-0 triumph. Marcos Senesi’s header (above) got the visitors’ third that day and put the seal of an unforgettable evening, their first ever victory at Old Trafford. 

Can head coach Andoni Iraola get his side to repeat the trick this afternoon?

01:49 PM GMT

Gary Neville: Rashford a ‘distraction’ for club

Rashford and Amorim
Rashford and Amorim

“It’s not looking great for both Marcus’s future at the club or Manchester United keeping him. I suspect it’s getting to the point in the journey where there is an inevitable ending.”

These were Gary Neville’s words this afternoon when the former Manchester United and England defender was asked about Marcus Rashford.

The 27 year old was left out of a third successive match day squad by head coach Ruben Amorim for the this afternoon’s home fixture against Bournemouth.

Here’s a piece with more of Neville’s thoughts on Rashford’s predicament: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2024/12/22/marcus-rashford-gary-neville-distraction-man-utd/

01:40 PM GMT

View from Old Trafford

There is some strenuous defensive warm-up going on at Old Trafford … all the starters lining up to defend crosses into the box. Probably a good idea, given United have conceded more goals from set-pieces than any in the Premier League.

Rashford, meanwhile, has been spied in the tunnel area in club tracksuit.

01:35 PM GMT

View from the King Power Stadium

Wolves have conceded a league-high 40 goals so far this season, including 16 from set-pieces, and it is why Gary O’Neil is no longer in a job.

Vitor Pereira has not had much chance to address that issue on the training ground, but has admitted it is his No. 1 priority.

Leicester’s defence has not exactly been watertight either, so I think this will be a game with many goals.

If you’re Jamie Vardy, you will fancy your chances of adding to those six Premier League strikes so far.

For a long read into the phenomenal story of Vardy, or alternatively a phenomenal read into the long story of Vardy, take a look at this: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2024/12/19/jamie-vardy-flying-age-longevity-leicester-cryotherapy/

Vardy warm up
Vardy warm up

01:29 PM GMT

Will Chelsea come unstuck again away at Everton?

Doucoure celebration
Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucouré celebrating his goal in his side’s 2-0 home win versus Chelsea in December last year. - Simon Stacpoole/Getty Images

Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea team currently have the best away record in the top-flight this season, with 19 points from their eight league matches on the road so far.

However, Everton have a formidable record at home against the west London club, winning five of the last six Premier League matches between these two teams at Goodison Park.

01:18 PM GMT

View from the King Power Stadium

After going two matches unbeaten since his appointment, Ruud van Nistelrooy was given a glimpse of the task ahead in the 4-0 defeat at Newcastle.

Leicester also suffered an injury to goalkeeper Mads Hermansen, one of their most impressive players since promotion and absent again here today.

This appears a hugely significant match for both clubs, in the battle to avoid relegation.

By the way, I’m not having the expression ‘relegation rivals’. It sounds like a badge of honour. Why would you want another club to be a rival for relegation? I assume these clubs don’t really want to be in this position.

‘Fellow strugglers’ is far better. Thanks.

01:14 PM GMT

Fulham vs Southampton line-ups

Fulham
Leno, Castagne, Diop, Bassey, Robinson, Berge, Cairney, Iwobi, King, Wilson, Rodrigo Muniz.
Subs: Benda, Andersen, Jimenez, Traore, Vinicius, Cuenca, Lukic, Sessegnon, Godo.

Southampton
Ramsdale, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Wood-Gordon, Sugawara, Aribo, Downes, Walker-Peters, Dibling, Fernandes, Armstrong.
Subs: McCarthy, Manning, Lallana, Bree, Archer, Sulemana, Fraser, Ugochukwu, Onuachu.

Referee: Tim Robinson (West Sussex)

01:13 PM GMT

Leicester vs Wolves line-ups

Leicester City
Ward, Justin, Coady, Vestergaard, Kristiansen, Soumare, Skipp, El Khannous, Ayew, Mavididi, Vardy.
Subs: Iversen, Faes, Okoli, Winks, De Cordova-Reid, Choudhury, Daka, Thomas, Buonanotte.

Wolverhampton Wanderers
Jose Sa, Nelson Semedo, Bueno, Toti Gomes, Doherty, Joao Gomes, Andre Trindade, Rodrigo Gomes, Goncalo Guedes, Cunha, Larsen.
Subs: Johnstone, Hwang, Dawson, Doyle, Forbs, Bellegarde, Meupiyou, Cundle, Pedro Lima.

Referee: Anthony Taylor (Cheshire)

01:11 PM GMT

View from King Power Stadium

Matheus Cunha starts for Wolves and this could prove a very interesting issue for Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Cunha is facing a potentially lengthy ban for striking out at a member of Ipswich’s security team last weekend, after being charged with misconduct by the Football Association.

However, Wolves have asked for more time to submit their observations - effectively delaying the verdict by an independent commission - so Cunha starts for the visitors.

Imagine if he scores the winner..

01:08 PM GMT

Latest news from Old Trafford

The big - and expected - teams news from Manchester United is that, for a third successive game, Marcus Rashford is left out of the match day squad for “selection” reasons.

Matthijs de Ligt is the other high profile absentee, but his omission is due to illness.

01:07 PM GMT

Manchester United vs Bournemouth line-ups

Manchester United
Onana, Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot, Ugarte, Mainoo, Malacia, Diallo, Fernandes, Zirkzee.
Subs: Bayindir, Hojlund, Eriksen, Yoro, Garnacho, Casemiro, Antony, Evans, Collyer.

Bournemouth 
Arrizabalaga, Smith, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez, Adams, Christie, Semenyo, Kluivert, Ouattara, Evanilson.
Subs: Travers, Cook, Brooks, Hill, Unal, Billing, Aarons, Winterburn, Kinsey-Wellings.

Referee: Craig Pawson (South Yorkshire)

01:02 PM GMT

Everton vs Chelsea line-ups

Everton
Pickford, Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Mangala, Gueye, Doucoure, Harrison, Calvert-Lewin, Ndiaye.
Subs: Virginia, Patterson, Keane, Beto, O’Brien, Chermiti, Coleman, Lindstrom, Armstrong.

Chelsea
Sanchez, Gusto, Disasi, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Caicedo, Fernandez, Pedro Neto, Palmer, Sancho, Jackson.
Subs: Jorgensen, Madueke, Joao Felix, Nkunku, Casadei, George, Acheampong, Guiu, Veiga.

Referee: Christopher Kavanagh (England)

12:58 PM GMT

View from Goodison Park

It’s bleak, it’s wet and it’s windy at Goodison Park and yet look closely above the stands and the sun is finally peeking through. Evertonians feel the skies are not so grey since the Friedkin Group’s takeover was ratified last Thursday.

Representatives of the new ownership group will be in the directors box, and there should be a more upbeat mood inside a stadium which has been a home for rancour for the last few years. Sean Dyche can be under no illusions what is at stake if he wants to remain in post beyond this season, however. Win more football matches.

Given the conditions on and off the pitch, Chelsea can be forgiven for believing they have picked an especially tough day to visit. If they are victorious, it will carry all the hallmarks of a title winning side heading to a tough venue and asserting authority.

12:52 PM GMT

Wolves lineup

12:51 PM GMT

Leicester lineup

12:51 PM GMT

Bournemouth lineup

12:50 PM GMT

Manchester United lineup

Marcus Rashford has been left of Manchester United’s first-team squad for the third consecutive match.

12:49 PM GMT

Southampton lineup

12:48 PM GMT

Fulham lineup

12:48 PM GMT

Chelsea lineup

12:47 PM GMT

Everton lineup

11:48 AM GMT

Good afternoon

Welcome to the Telegraph Sport’s live clockwatch of the four Premier League matches kicking off at 2pm today.

Many eyes will be drawn to Goodison Park today as Everton welcome high-flying Chelsea. The visitors have the opportunity to top the Premier League table before Christmas. Enzo Maresca’s side have the best away record in the league so far this campaign, and another win on the road in Merseyside, coupled with Liverpool failing to defeat Tottenham later today, will see Chelsea finish the day as league leaders.

The away side will have to tackle this tantalising challenge without left-back Marc Cucurella after his red card in Chelsea’s 2-1 home win against Brentford last Sunday, and midfielder Romeo Lavia will have a late fitness test before the match. Everton are waiting to see whether Dwight McNeil and Jarrad Branthwaite will be available for this contest, as both are managing injuries during the week. Striker Armando Broja is ineligible to face Chelsea, as he is on loan from the west London club.

Fulham take on managerless Southampton at Craven Cottage, with interim manager Simon Rusk still at the helm for the visitors since Russell Martin’s dismissal last Sunday. Defenders Kyle Walker-Peters and James Bree should be available for the away side after they were both withdrawn with injuries in Southampton’s midweek League Cup loss against Liverpool.

Kenny Tete will miss several months of football for Fulham after the full-back suffered a knee injury against Liverpool last Saturday, and midfielder Andreas Pereira is suspended for this fixture. However, club captain Tom Cairney and Calvin Bassey will return from their suspensions this afternoon.

New Wolves head coach Vitor Pereira takes his side across the Midlands to face Leicester at the King Power Stadium. The Portuguese will be without full-back Rayan Ait-Nouri, who was suspended in the aftermath of the team’s home defeat versus Ipswich last weekend. Forward Matheus Cunha is available for Wolves today, but the Brazilian is expected to receive a suspension from the FA following his part in the post-match fracas at Molineux last week.

Leicester goalkeeper Mads Hermansen is a doubt to feature in this match, as the Dane hopes to recover from a groin injury he picked up during the team’s 4-0 defeat away at Newcastle last Saturday. Boubakary Soumare returns from suspension, with fellow midfielder Harry Winks also available after returning to training this week.

Marcus Rashford is available for selection for Manchester United’s home fixture against Bournemouth after being omitted from the squad in the team’s previous two matches. The 27-year-old expressed his desire to leave the club earlier this week, but head coach Ruben Amorim has opted to keep the forward involved with the squad.

Mason Mount and Victor Lindelof will both be unavailable this afternoon, due to injuries both players suffered against Manchester City and Tottenham respectively.

Bournemouth are expected to travel to Old Trafford with the same squad from their 1-1 home draw against West Ham on Monday, with Luis Sinisterra, Alex Scott, Julian Araujo, Marcos Senesi, and Marcus Tavernier all on the sidelines.

Team news to follow…