While things might have calmed somewhat
at Manchester United, it’s telling that a win here might not even
be enough to propel them ahead of Bournemouth. While the Cherries are
wonderfully over performing under Eddie Howe, United have not
performed anywhere near their expected quality for the majority of
the season.
Can a trip to Bournemouth be the right
remedy to the uncertainty around United? It worked with the dominant
win in their trip to then high-flying Watford: it could happen again
here, too.
Bournemouth News
Bournemouth should come into this one
feeling pretty chirpy about their chances of a big showpiece win
here. They have some great attacking player, with the trio of Calum
Wilson, Ryan Fraser and David Brooks creating an interesting British
trio up top who are making a huge impression.
With the Colombian destroyer Jefferson
Lerma impressing many in the middle of the park (and covering up a
slow start to the season for Lewis Cook) and the defensive trio of
Nathan Ake, Steve Cook and Simon Francis making a big difference,
they have no real reason to fear United in this tie.
United News
Manchester United, though, are seeing a
bit of an upturn in form from some of their more important players.
Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba have formed a decent little triangle
with Luke Shaw, while there is a decent return to form coming at the
back with some more stout, stoic defending in recent weeks.
While Chris Smalling and Victor
Lindelof do not look entirely solid together, they aren’t the
horror show they can appear.
Verdict
We can see this being a hard-fought
draw. United aren’t quite on the losing habit as they were, and
will see a point here as decent enough progress. We can’t see
Bournemouth overcoming their big-club hoodoo at home here – but
they are more than good enough to take something. If they finally
cast-off that mentality, they could probably give United a beating.
