Bournemouth twice came from behind to draw 2-2 in an entertaining Premier League tussle with Manchester United, with both sides having chances in a goalless first half before an electric second.
Bruno Fernandes slotted home a 61st minute spot-kick after Alex Jimenez fouled Matheus Cunha in the box, and United thought they had another penalty just six minutes later as Adrien Truffert knocked down Amad. They were too busy protesting to cover Bournemouth’s counter and Ryan Christie produced a lightning-quick equaliser.
United were back in front another four minutes later as a well-worked Fernandes corner clipped the head of James Hill and hit his own net, but again momentum swung the other way in the 81st minute as Harry Maguire’s dream day - having received an England recall earlier on - turned into a nightmare.
The veteran pushed Evanilson in the box and he was handed a straight red, with Eli Junior Kroupi scored his ninth goal of the season - seven more than any other teenager - with a cool spot-kick to extend the Cherries’ unbeaten run to 11 games, while United remain four points clear of fourth place.
Follow all of the latest from the Premier League clash with our live blog below:
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Bournemouth vs Manchester United LIVE
- Bournemouth host Manchester United in the Premier League | Live on Sky Sports, kick off at 8pm GMT
- '81 PENALTY! Junior Kroupi sends Lammens the wrong way after Maguire sent off [BOU 2-2 MUN]
- '72 GOAL! United restore lead with corner routine after unfortunate Hill own goal [BOU 1-2 MUN]
- '68 GOAL! Christie levels for hosts as Cherries produce superb counter [BOU 1-1 MUN]
- '61 PENALTY! Fernandes coolly converts after Jimenez fouls Cunha in the box [BOU 0-1 MUN]
- Bournemouth XI: Petrovic, Jimenez, Hill, Sensei, Truffert, Christie, Scott, Adli, Rayan, Tavernier, Evanilson
- Man Utd XI: Lammens, Shaw, Maguire, Yoro, Dalot, Casemiro, Mainoo, Fernandes, Cunha, Amad, Mbeumo
Manchester United pass first real test of character as Bournemouth draw showcases turnaround under Carrick
23:45 , Chris Wilson at the Vitality StadiumIt may sound foolish, but this might have been the sort of game Michael Carrick was waiting for. Manchester United have just the second stalemate of his new tenure after a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth that offered plenty of drama, but while it’s a game that only offered one point for the interim United boss, it provided him with a few important lessons.
Man Utd pass first real test as Bournemouth draw showcases turnaround under Carrick
Criticism 'part of being a Man Utd player' - Fernandes
23:30 , Flo CliffordFernandes is asked about how much criticism the players came in for earlier in the season, before this sudden revival.
He says: “It will always be like that, when you get results you get flowers, when you don't, you get criticised. It's part of being a Manchester United player.
“Demand is very high from everywhere, a lot of people with eyes on the club because it's massive. It's a lot of eyes on us but if you decide to play for this club and you play here then you are a big player and have a big personality. There are highs and lows and you have to deal with them.”
'We have lots of competition' - Fernandes
23:15 , Flo CliffordFernandes continues: “Premier League is very tough and we have lots of competition. Aston Villa are close to us and Liverpool and Chelsea too.
“Our aim is to move forwards by keep getting points, we have to get away from them and the best way to do that is to keep getting points. If you want to get closer to the one in front of you you still have to get the three points.”
How the table stands
23:00 , Flo CliffordHere’s how the table looks. United are on 55 points, four clear of Villa, and will remain there even if Villa win this weekend.
Bournemouth are in 10th on 42, level with Newcastle in ninth but the Magpies have a game in hand.
And the Cherries are under pressure from behind, with Fulham on 41 points and Brighton and Sunderland both on 40.
Fernandes on Carrick's impact: 'Always been part of the club'
22:49 , Flo CliffordAsked about Carrick’s revival of fortunes at United, Fernandes says: “That's always been part of the club. It doesn't change with the manager in charge.
“Last weeks we've been positive with the result and that gives positive energy to the team to understand we can go anywhere and get results.
“We've been in very good form under Michael [Carrick] and today we had to suffer and we did get a point - we got something from it.
“What could be better is that we get three points in the next game which we couldn't get today.”
Tougher for small players - Fernandes
22:39 , Flo CliffordFernandes continues: “Amad is getting to a point where he's going to shoot and he gets pushed - you can see that something puts him completely out of balance. It's frustrating for the small players because they always say the small players are soft and when it's the bigger players they end up giving the fouls.
“I think the other situation is a penalty but I also think the one on Amad is a penalty and that could've changed the game.”
Bruno Fernandes: 'Either both are penalties or none of them'
22:32 , Flo CliffordHere’s what Bruno Fernandes has had to say on the penalty debacle.
He tells Sky Sports: “I think we could have gone 2-0 up, and then we ended up conceding a goal, not getting a penalty and then we get a penalty against, where more or less it's the same situation as Amad.
“One is rewarded as a penalty, the other one not. I know it's difficult for the referee to give two penalties in the same game for the same team but what I don't understand is why VAR doesn't get involved in that situation.
“Either one is a penalty and the other one too or none of them is a penalty.”
Premier League Match Centre explains decision not to award Man Utd another penalty
22:25 , Flo CliffordHere’s what the Premier League Match Centre has had to say on X, on the decision not to award Manchester United a penalty after Truffert’s challenge on Amad before Bournemouth's equaliser:
“The referee’s call of no penalty for a challenge by Truffert was checked and confirmed by VAR – with it deemed the contact was not sufficient for a foul.”
Mixed day for Harry Maguire
22:12 , Flo CliffordIt’s certainly been a day of two halves for Harry Maguire. The veteran was handed his first England call-up since Thomas Tuchel took over, having only played one international game since Euro 2024, earlier today. Then tonight he was handed a straight red for a silly challenge and conceded a penalty as United dropped points.
FULL-TIME: Bournemouth 2-2 Man Utd
22:02 , Chris Wilson at the Vitality StadiumIn the end Bournemouth might feel a bit disappointed that they failed to really put the pressure on the visitors once they went down to 10 men, but it’s still a well-earned point and a great performance from the Cherries.
For Utd, Carrick will likely feel that they got away with one tonight, though it could all have been so different if Maguire hadn’t made a silly challenge. In the end, the draw is probably the fair result.
FULL-TIME: Bournemouth 2-2 Man Utd
21:58 , Flo Clifford‘90+10: That’s it! Bournemouth are unbeaten in 11 games and have another draw they’re so fond of.
Bournemouth 2-2 Man Utd
21:58 , Flo Clifford‘90+9: Free-kick to the hosts, taken short. Eventually Senesi clips it in, it comes off a United shirt for a late, late, Bournemouth corner...
Bournemouth 2-2 Man Utd
21:57 , Flo Clifford‘90+9: Scott is fine to continue. We’re out of the nine minutes but there will be more...
Bournemouth 2-2 Man Utd
21:55 , Flo Clifford‘90+7: Fernandes lets fly an attempt but it’s blocked.
Iraola looks concerned as Alex Scott is down on the ground in the box, not looking in the best way. A break in play as he’s attended to.
Bournemouth 2-2 Man Utd
21:53 , Flo Clifford‘90+6: Mount gets a run-out for a couple of minutes. He replaces Amad.
Bournemouth 2-2 Man Utd
21:52 , Flo Clifford‘90+5: Sesko barges Evanilson out the way in an aerial duel and Atwell pops him in the book.
Bournemouth 2-2 Man Utd
21:51 , Flo Clifford‘90+4: ‘Waheyyy,’ shout the crowd as Fernandes sends the ball rolling out in a moment of miscommunication with Shaw.
Bournemouth 2-2 Man Utd
21:50 , Flo Clifford‘90+3: Shaw takes it away from Gannon-Doak and Fernandes gets himself into a dangerous spot...
Bournemouth 2-2 Man Utd
21:48 , Flo Clifford‘90: NINE minutes added on! Can Bournemouth make their man advantage count?
Bournemouth 2-2 Man Utd
21:47 , Flo Clifford‘90: Junior Kroupi’s nine goals this season are the most by a teenager by some way; the next closest to him are on two.
Truffert forces a save by Lammens. Bournemouth want a winner.
Bournemouth 2-2 Man Utd
21:45 , Flo Clifford‘87: Kroupi leaves a toe on Dalot and the Portuguese flings himself to ground; Kroupi gives a cheeky shrug before offering a hand to his man.
Gannon-Doak is next to come on, with Rayan hooked; the Scot is playing his first minutes since against City in November after an injury-ravaged season.
Bournemouth 2-2 Man Utd
21:43 , Chris Wilson at the Vitality StadiumEmergency subs for the visitors, with Cunha and Casemiro making way for Ayden Heaven and Manuel Ugarte. Utd could lose a bit of control with the ball but it’s a necessary change with the Brazilian on a yellow.
21:42 , Flo Clifford Bournemouth 2-2 Man Utd
21:41 , Flo Clifford‘82: Changes as Carrick tries to shore up in defence: Cunha and Casemiro are off, Ugarte and Heaven on.
A superb penalty by the way, lashed into the back of the net with Lammens sent the wrong way.
Bournemouth 2-2 Man Utd
21:38 , Chris Wilson at the Vitality StadiumA moment of madness from Maguire! It’s a clear red card for the England defender, even if the contact wasn’t too heavy. United could be in real trouble here.
A well-taken spot-kick from Kroupi, and Bournemouth will definitely feel like they can get a win now!
GOAL! Bournemouth 2-2 Man Utd
21:38 , Flo Clifford‘81: A lovely strike from the spot by Kroupi, and it’s 2-2!
Bournemouth 1-2 Man Utd
21:37 , Flo Clifford‘80: And Bournemouth have a penalty. Kroupi stands over it...
RED CARD! Bournemouth 1-2 Man Utd
21:36 , Flo Clifford‘78: Harry Maguire sees red!
Another huge twist in this tale. Evanilson is through on goal and Maguire pulls him down. That’s it. He remonstrates with Atwell and Fernandes comes over too to plead his case, but he’s got to go.
Bournemouth 1-2 Man Utd
21:35 , Chris Wilson at the Vitality StadiumWhat a goal that would have been from Alex Scott. Lammens could get nowhere near it and in the end he’s extremely fortunate that it bounces off him and out for a corner rather than into his own net.
OFF THE POST! Bournemouth 1-2 Man Utd
21:34 , Flo Clifford‘76: Nearly a sublime equaliser! Scott picks the ball up on the edge of the area and lets fly a brilliant right-footed attempt - but it cannons off the post and Lammens is extremely fortunate it doesn’t rebound off him and back into the net!
Bournemouth 1-2 Man Utd
21:31 , Flo Clifford‘73: Bournemouth wanted to make changes before that corner, and now they do: Brooks, Kroupi and Smith are on, Christie, Jimenez and Adli are off.
GOAL! Bournemouth 1-2 Man Utd
21:29 , Flo Clifford‘72: Another strong set-piece by the visitors, it looks like it actually took a touch off Senesi and cannoned in off Hill! Own goal, oh dear.
Bournemouth 1-1 Man Utd
21:28 , Flo Clifford‘71: It’s Sesko time. Mbeumo is off for the Slovenian.
GOAL STANDS! Bournemouth 1-1 Man Utd
21:26 , Flo Clifford‘69: VAR stick with the on-field decision, and United will not have a penalty!
GOAL! Bournemouth 1-1 Man Utd
21:25 , Flo Clifford‘68: Well, well, well!
A dramatic couple of minutes. It looks like Truffert may well have given away a penalty by bringing down Amad in the box. Atwell has a look but Bournemouth keep things moving, and while United protest, Christie picks it up down the other end and finds the far corner with a brilliant shot!
Bournemouth are level - but will it stand?
Bournemouth 0-1 Man Utd
21:22 , Flo Clifford‘65: The travelling fans are enjoying themselves. United have put on eight free coaches for the 500-mile round trip and so far the journey appears to have been worth it.
United are pushing for a second but Petrovic leaps into the air to keep the ball in and deny them another corner.
Bournemouth 0-1 Man Utd
21:20 , Chris Wilson at the Vitality StadiumArguably a soft penalty for the visitors but you don’t see those overturned, and it was brilliant work from Cunha to win the spot-kick.
Up steps Bruno Fernandes and he rarely makes a mistake from that distance.
GOAL! Bournemouth 0-1 Man Utd
21:18 , Flo Clifford‘61: Fernandes sends Petrovic the wrong way!
PENALTY! Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
21:17 , Flo Clifford‘59: Oh dear, Bournemouth concede a penalty in the sloppiest way possible. Cunha gets away from his man in the box, Jimenez pulls him back, and Atwell promptly dishes out a yellow and a penalty.
Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
21:16 , Flo Clifford‘58: Rayan tries to slide in Tavernier for a tap-in at the near post but the flag is up! Lammens looked a bit baffled there but isn’t too troubled.
Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
21:15 , Flo Clifford‘57: Bournemouth have a few chances now. Jimenez and Adli both fire wide. Methinks they’ll rue that if Cunha, or perhaps later Sesko, come good.
Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
21:09 , Flo Clifford‘52: Lammens comes out to punch away the ball before Adli can get his head to it, and in the process punches the Moroccan in the face.
He’s okay and gets back up shortly.
Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
21:06 , Flo Clifford‘49: Truffert flies away for Bournemouth but runs into the roadblock that is Maguire. Clever defending by the veteran who just blocks all routes.
SAVE! Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
21:04 , Flo Clifford‘46: A busy start by United, Cunha again is at the centre of things, releasing Mbeumo... he cuts back at the byline and flashes an angled effort which Petrovic gets down to save.
And it’s straight down the other end! Christie has a smile on his face as a speculative effort goes into the crowd. That would have been some goal.
SECOND HALF: Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
21:03 , Flo CliffordAway we go with the second half!
Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
20:51 , Chris Wilson at the Vitality StadiumThe reverse fixture in December was one of the games of the season and while this doesn’t (yet) have the scoreline to match, it hasn’t been a bad game for the neutral.
Both sides have had chances and both managers will wonder how this is still level, with Rayan and Bruno Fernandes missing the best chances of the match so far.
Bournemouth had just wrestled away control towards the end of the half, so it will be interesting to see how both sides start the second half here at the Vitality.
HALF-TIME: Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
20:47 , Flo Clifford‘45+1: Senesi loops it in but United head away. Atwell brings an end to this half - it’ll no doubt be a welcome break for Petrovic after a busy first half.
Goalless at the break, but it’s certainly been entertaining.
Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
20:46 , Flo Clifford‘45+1: One minute added on and it’s a United corner... headed away, but United recycle... Rayan heads away Fernandes’ cross and the hosts counter!
Rayan gets there before Cunha and Bournemouth keep coming, but United have bodies back now.
Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
20:44 , Chris Wilson at the Vitality StadiumFernandes was just telling Lammens to slow it down a bit there, with the hosts just beginning to pile on a bit of pressure towards the end of the first half.
SAVE! Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
20:41 , Flo Clifford‘41: Tavernier’s delivery bends sweetly over the wall but Lammens gets a good read on it to save!
Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
20:41 , Flo Clifford‘40: Bournemouth have a committee meeting over how to take a free-kick. It’s about 30 yards out, just to the right. In a good spot...
Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
20:36 , Flo Clifford‘36: Petrovic just got his left leg to it before falling backwards into his goal - and immense save!
United are just peppering the home goal now.
Bournemouth have a corner, it’s worked to Truffert, who sends a looping shot into the gloves of Lammens.
SAVE! Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
20:35 , Flo Clifford‘35: Fernandes denied by Petrovic - did it cross the line?! He thinks it did!
Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
20:32 , Flo Clifford‘30: Dalot has a truly dreadful attempt that slices into the back of the stands.
Casemiro goes into the book for pulling back Rayan, who has him beaten with a tidy change of pace.
Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
20:31 , Flo Clifford‘25: Not enough on that Maguire nudge for VAR to intervene. Moments later Tavernier had another chance but just fumbled it at a difficult angle at the back post.
End to end... Cunha floats in another lovely cross, Truffert makes a fine block to deny Diallo!
Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
20:25 , Chris Wilson at the Vitality StadiumThe visitors were just beginning to look like they were in control of this one, though the Cherries have now shown their threat on the counter on a couple of occasions.
Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
20:24 , Flo Clifford‘23: Bournemouth are threatening! Tavernier lashes a great cross across the front of goal with Evanilson perfectly positioned - is he brought down by Maguire?!
Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
20:23 , Chris Wilson at the Vitality StadiumGreat idea from Rayan to hit it early and it almost caught out Lammens, who did well to parry it away.
SAVE! Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
20:22 , Flo Clifford‘22: Lammens dives low to his left and palms away a Rayan effort that looked to just be dipping inside the post!
Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
20:21 , Flo Clifford‘20: Boos ring out as referee Stuart Atwell doesn’t give the hosts a free-kick after Mbeumo treads on Senesi’s toes and the ball goes out. Christie goes over for a chat.
United have a corner, and it threatens from several angles but is eventually cleared.
Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
20:18 , Flo Clifford‘18: Evanilson heads away Fernandes’ delivery. Now he misplaces a pass but Bournemouth can’t capitalise, losing the ball again in the middle of the park.
Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
20:17 , Flo Clifford‘17: United almost sneak away on the counter, Diallo and Dalot combining well... but Tavernier tracks back smoothly and it’s out for a corner.
SAVE! Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
20:15 , Flo Clifford‘15: Cunha is running Jimenez ragged so far; the pacy Brazilian sets off again and tries to lay it off for Mbeumo in the box, but gets snuffed out.
Now Fernandes lays off a low shot which Petrovic spills, but gathers quickly before the lurking Mbeumo can tap in.
Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
20:14 , Flo Clifford‘12: Fernandes goes low with the resulting corner but no-one gets on the end of it.
Now Mainoo has to be alert to rob Tavenier.
SAVE! Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
20:11 , Flo Clifford‘10: The home fans jeer cheerfully as Cunha slips and send his effort flying into the stands... not laughing so much as the Brazilian links up well with Fernandes, jinks past Jimenez and lets fly - but Petrovic palms it away!
Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
20:07 , Chris Wilson at the Vitality StadiumGreat chances at both ends, and both players probably should have scored. At one end there was great work from Amad before he just placed his effort a little too close to Petrovic; at the other end, Rayan had the beating of Shaw but he scuffed his effort in the end.
SAVE! Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
20:05 , Flo Clifford‘5: Scott tries to intercept but the ball reaches Cunha and he sends in one of his trademark looping crosses from the left... it finds Amad in the centre of the box, he lays off a great effort but Petrovic makes a great save!
Bournemouth immediately counter and get all the way up the other end but Rayan flashes wide! It looked like he may have been trying to pick out Evanilson at the far post.
End to end!
Bournemouth 0-0 Man Utd
20:02 , Flo Clifford‘2: Bournemouth have the first corner of the evening but it’s dealt with swiftly with a Yoro header and Mbeumo seizes the chance to break.
Dalot is dispossessed by Christie.
Bournemouth vs Man Utd
20:00 , Flo CliffordA big hug between Carrick and Iraola on the touchline, and we’re off!
Fernandes gets us underway.
Moments to go
19:58 , Flo CliffordNearly time for kick-off, and the atmosphere is building down on the Dorset coast...
Man Utd 'desperate to do well' - Carrick
19:53 , Flo CliffordMichael Carrick tells Sky Sports: Quite quickly we settled in, had a decent run of results and as long as we continue in the right direction, that is a really good sign.
“The boys have been really good and they are desperate to do well. We are taking it a game at a time and see where that takes us.”
Team news reminder
19:51 , Flo CliffordBournemouth XI: Petrovic, Jimenez, Hill, Sensei, Truffert, Christie, Scott, Adli, Rayan, Tavernier, Evanilson
Man Utd XI: Lammens, Shaw, Maguire, Yoro, Dalot, Casemiro, Mainoo, Fernandes, Cunha, Amad, Mbeumo
Bournemouth vs Man Utd
19:44 , Flo Clifford Man Utd 'scoring for fun lately' - Iraola
19:37 , Flo CliffordAndoni Iraola says Bournemouth need to get better at taking their chances. “In both [their latest] games we had over 20 shots.The chances in both games have been more than enough to score. We have to be more ruthless and take every chance and make the keeper work for every shot."
How easy will be it to keep out United? “The way they are playing lately, it is hard to think that we will get a clean sheet. They are scoring for fun lately and they have top players. We will need to get goals to get something.”
Burnley and Bournemouth both damaged by dismal goalless draw
19:30 , Flo CliffordEnough about United, here’s how Bournemouth did last time out. They’re on a 10-game unbeaten run but several draws within that statistic means it flatters them somewhat.
Burnley and Bournemouth played out a tepid goalless draw at Turf Moor that does little to help either team’s Premier League ambitions.
Burnley and Bournemouth both damaged by dismal goalless draw
Manchester United close to new deals for two key players under Michael Carrick regime
19:20 , Flo CliffordIt’s been a big week for these two, named in the England squad and now, Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo are close to agreeing new deals with Manchester United.
United are in talks with both players, who have been key figures in their renaissance under Michael Carrick, and who have revived their careers at Old Trafford.
They were at risk of losing defender Maguire on a free transfer this summer, when his current deal expires, while midfielder Mainoo was only tied down until next summer.
Manchester United close to new deals for two key players under Michael Carrick regime
Two Man Utd players earn England call-ups
19:10 , Flo CliffordEngland manager Thomas Tuchel has kept his options for the World Cup open by naming an enlarged 35-player squad, which will be split into two parts, but Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ollie Watkins, Morgan Gibbs-White and Luke Shaw have been dealt a blow after not making the cut for the upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.
Tuchel has handed Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire their first call-ups since he took charge of England, while Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who made the last of his 11 England appearances at Euro 2020, also returns to the national side. Everton midfielder James Garner and Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele are also included for the first time.
England squad LIVE: Tuchel explains ‘tough’ omissions from 35-player announcement
Question marks over Carrick's selection
19:05 , Chris Wilson at the Vitality StadiumNo changes to the starting XI for Michael Carrick, even though his side did look a lot better at the weekend once Benjamin Sesko was on.
Perhaps it was just a case of the game being more open as time went on - in any case Bryan Mbeumo starts up front instead of the Slovenia international.
Scott has chance to send message to Tuchel
18:59 , Flo CliffordEli Junior Kroupi and Adam Smith are benched for Bournemouth while Tyler Adams is out of the squad with injury. Alejandro Jimenez and Armine Adli come into the starting XI too.
Midfielder Alex Scott was unlucky not to be called up to Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad and has the chance to send the German a message as he remains a fixture in Andoni Iraola’s side.
Sesko still on the bench
18:53 , Flo CliffordSo Michael Carrick opts to stick with the squad that impressed so much at the weekend, but that means Benjamin Sesko remains on the bench.
One of the problems with making yourself incredibly useful as a super-sub is you’re more likely to stay in that role, and Carrick keeps him as an impact player.
Bournemouth line-up
18:48 , Flo CliffordBournemouth XI: Petrovic, Jimenez, Hill, Sensei, Truffert, Christie, Scott, Adli, Rayan, Tavernier, Evanilson
Substitutes: Mandas, Brooks, Gannon-Doak, Smith, Diakite, Kroupi, Unal, Toth, Milosavljevic
Manchester United line-up
18:48 , Flo CliffordMan Utd XI: Lammens, Shaw, Maguire, Yoro, Dalot, Casemiro, Mainoo, Fernandes, Cunha, Amad, Mbeumo
Substitutes: Bayindir, Fredericson, Heaven, Malacia, Mount, T. Fletcher, Ugarte, Sesko, Zirkzee
Unchanged XI to face Bournemouth 👊🤍
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 20, 2026
Team news incoming
18:40 , Flo CliffordWe’re expecting line-ups in the next five minutes, but before then, here’s a quick reminder of the early team news...
Cherries midfielder Tyler Adams will face a late fitness test after missing the 0-0 draw at Burnley, while Julio Soler, Lewis Cook and Justin Kluivert are sidelined.
For the visitors, Noussair Mazraoui will face a late fitness test after missing training due to illness in midweek. Lisandro Martinez will miss this match, though the Argentine should be back for the visit of Leeds next month.
Patrick Dorgu and Matthijs de Ligt are both sidelined for a longer period, while Mason Mount will once again be available despite not featuring against Villa.
Man Utd take major step towards Champions League as Michael Carrick blueprint becomes clear
18:30 , Flo CliffordChris Wilson was at United’s last game too; here’s how that unfolded...
It all started with a set-piece, as so many Premier League games seem to these days, but by the end Manchester United’s 3-1 win over Aston Villa had become an advert for the benefits of good old fashioned wingers and number nines.
Much has been made of the role of set-pieces in the league as several sides have struggled to reliably create goals from open play, but in the end United took a giant leap towards next season’s Champions League in a more familiar manner, with Matheus Cunha the star as he and Benjamin Sesko sealed the result.
Man Utd take big step towards Champions League as Carrick’s blueprint becomes clear
Bruno Fernandes reaches 100 assists as Man Utd beat top-four rivals Aston Villa
18:20 , Flo CliffordIn case you missed it, here are those record-threatening assists:
Bruno Fernandes reached 100 assists in all competitions as the ever-impressive Manchester United captain set up two goals in what could prove a crucial 3-1 win against fellow Champions League hopefuls Aston Villa.
Fernandes was, like so often, the architect as the skipper saw his second-half corner headed home by Casemiro, before providing an exquisite pass from which Matheus Cunha restored their lead after surprise starter Ross Barkley had levelled for Villa.
Bruno Fernandes reaches 100 assists as Man Utd beat top-four rivals Aston Villa
Can Bruno Fernandes really break the Premier League’s weirdest record?
18:10 , Flo CliffordOne of the subplots for tonight concerns United captain Bruno Fernandes, and whether he can continue his sparkling run of form and break a Premier League record.
Here’s Jamie Braidwood: “The race for the most assists across a single Premier League season is weird and unpredictable, often influenced by factors outside the control of its competitors. It is also a record that has stood for more than 20 years, or since Thierry Henry notched his 20th assist of the 2002-03 season. Since then, only Kevin De Bruyne has matched Henry’s figure over 38 games, in 2019-20, but it has been threatened on an almost annual basis over the past two decades.
Can Bruno Fernandes really break the Premier League’s weirdest record?
Predicted line-ups
18:00 , Flo CliffordBournemouth XI: Petrovic; Smith, Hill, Senesi, Truffert; Christie, Scott; Rayan, Kroupi, Tavernier; Evanilson.
Man Utd XI: Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Amad, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko.
Early team news
17:52 , Flo CliffordCherries midfielder Tyler Adams will face a late fitness test after missing the 0-0 draw at Burnley, while Julio Soler, Lewis Cook and Justin Kluivert are sidelined.
For the visitors, Noussair Mazraoui will face a late fitness test after missing training due to illness in midweek. Lisandro Martinez will miss this match, though the Argentine should be back for the visit of Leeds next month.
Patrick Dorgu and Matthijs de Ligt are both sidelined for a longer period, while Mason Mount will once again be available despite not featuring against Villa.
How can I watch it?
17:46 , Flo CliffordViewers in the UK can watch the game live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League, with coverage starting at 7.30pm.
If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.
When is Bournemouth vs Man Utd?
17:41 , Flo CliffordThe match is scheduled to kick off at 8pm GMT on Friday, 20 March at the Vitality Stadium.
Bournemouth vs Manchester United
17:36 , Flo CliffordManchester United take on Bournemouth in the Premier League tonight as Michael Carrick’s side look to consolidate their grip one of the division’s Champions League places.
United benefitted from both Chelsea and Liverpool dropping points last week, with a 3-1 win over Aston Villa meaning they are now in third, three points ahead of the Unai Emery’s side and six ahead of sixth-placed Chelsea.
And it means Carrick’s side head to the south coast with the chance to put real daylight between them and their rivals ahead of the weekend, in what is their last game for 24 days ahead of taking on Leeds on 13 April.
However, they’ll face a difficult test against a Cherries side who are currently on the league’s longest unbeaten run, with Andoni Iraola’s side having gone 10 games without a loss as they look to launch their own late bid for European football.
Good evening
17:30 , Flo CliffordHello and welcome to tonight’s Premier League clash between Bournemouth and Manchester United.
Can Bournemouth kickstart their late bid for a spot in Europe this season? Or will Michael Carrick’s high-flyers finally put an end to the Cherries’ 10-game unbeaten run? We’ll have all the answers to those questions shortly...
