It’s been a rollercoaster start to life in charge of Manchester United for Ruben Amorim, from last-minute Derby Day delight last weekend, to Carabao Cup capitulation against Spurs on Thursday night.
With the honeymoon period having well and truly come and gone for the Portuguese tactician, another tricky test awaits Amorim and co. on Sunday when Bournemouth make the visit to Old Trafford.
If United have any hopes of closing the gap between themselves and the European positions, it’s a match they simply have to take three points from.
Ahead of the contest, Express Sport have predicted how the Red Devils might line up.
Man United predicted XI vs Bournemouth
Goalkeeper: Onana
Despite some shaky performances in recent weeks, Andre Onana’s status as United’s No.1 pick between the sticks was reaffirmed in midweek when deputy Altay Bayındir struggled to leave an impression.
The Turkish goalkeeper looked less than convincing on several occasions, with Onana a dead cert to come back into Amorim’s XI on Sunday.
Defence: Martinez, Maguire, De Ligt
Having shipped four in north London on Thursday, tweaks to the back three can be expected for this weekend’s outing.
Afforded a rest against Tottenham, Harry Maguire could come back in following his heroics against Erling Haaland in the Manchester Derby.
Lisandro Martinez hasn’t impressed in Amorim’s system so far, with the Argentine hoping for a better performance against Bournemouth.
While Matthijs de Ligt, who was ill for the League Cup defeat, is expected to return ahead of the weekend and assume his spot in the United defence.
Midfield: Dalot, Mainoo, Ugarte, Mazraoui
Whisper it, but Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte appear to have struck up a tidy partnership in the heart of midfield, with the pair able to complement each other’s ability.
Operating on either flank will be Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui, who have emerged as Amorim’s first-choice wing-backs.
It means no spot in the starting line-up for Christian Eriksen, who flattered to deceive in the Spurs loss.
Attack: Amad, Hojlund, Fernandes
Finding his starting striker has been one of Amorim’s biggest struggles so far as United chief, with neither Rasmus Hojlund nor Joshua Zirkzee having made that spot their own.
As has been the case in recent weeks, it’s likely Hojlund will start up top, with Zirkzee playing a part off the bench.
There’s no such selection headache for United’s two most in-form players, Amad Diallo and Bruno Fernandes, who will all but certainly play from the off this weekend.
It would mean another match out of the XI for Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford, who haven’t endeared themselves to the new manager so far.
Man United predicted XI vs Bournemouth: Onana; Martinez, Maguire, De Ligt; Dalot, Mainoo, Ugarte, Mazraoui; Amad, Hojlund, Fernandes
