Manchester United make the trip down South this Saturday for a 5.30pm kick-off against Bournemouth in the Premier League.
The Reds are, unfortunately, winless in three matches heading into the clash, so taking all three points is certainly a non-negotiable at the Vitality Stadium.
In terms of Erik ten Hag’s selection options, he will of course be without long-term absentees Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw and Anthony Martial, while Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof are expected to be out of action for around four weeks.
Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans both sustained injuries during last Thursday’s defeat to Chelsea, with the former being substituted at the interval for the second consecutive match. Evans was called upon to deputise for the Frenchman off the bench but ended up picking up an issue of his own.
Regarding the duo’s expected return timeframe, Erik ten Hag told reporters: “I don’t think at short notice they will return.”
As such, Willy Kambwala partnered Harry Maguire for Sunday’s draw with Liverpool, and he will presumably do so this weekend.
Marcus Rashford was withdrawn around the 60th-minute mark last time out after he could be seen walking gingerly across the pitch, although he is expected to be fully fit to face the Cherries.
Scott McTominay will miss out for a second straight match due to an unspecified complaint.
Ten Hag will be hoping his luck – you can test yours with The Pokies – picks up in the South West
Cherries team news
As for the hosts, Marcus Tavernier was forced off with a hamstring injury after netting the opener against Luton Town, and Antoine Semenyo signalled that he wanted to be substituted around the 70th minute.
Semenyo and Justin Kluivert returned to the starting 11 last Saturday while Marcos Senesi made the bench after a four-game absence.
Manager Andoni Iraola said of the narrow 2-1 defeat to the Hatters: “I understand the narrative of the game that they are playing for salvation, that we are also playing for important things.
“Every 50/50 decision has gone for them. And I understand the atmosphere, the momentum, the consequences. If you take a decision for one side, the consequences for the other side, considering what is in play. It’s not the big decisions.
“I’m not complaining about the second goal. The second goal, they grab Zaba’s arm and that’s the reason he cannot defend Morris. But even with this decision, we were not complaining about the decision because you can decide it’s not enough for a foul.
“But throw-ins, the small things, the things that take the rhythm out of the game. That we had in the first half, that we had, especially at the beginning of the game. And that’s the reason we complained.”
