⚽ Premier League Match Preview: Manchester United vs Bournemouth – Old Trafford Showdown
Manchester United host AFC Bournemouth at Old Trafford in a crucial Premier League fixture. The Red Devils are looking to build on their recent dominant victory, while the Cherries aim to end their winless streak and continue their remarkable recent run against their hosts. This match preview explores the form, head-to-head record, and provides a match prediction and correct score forecast.
🔥 Form Guide & Team News
Manchester United enter the game with confidence after a convincing 4-1 thrashing of Wolverhampton Wanderers, extending their impressive run to just one defeat in their last nine league matches. However, inconsistency at Old Trafford remains a concern, with the team having gone two home games without a win and conceded in 14 of their 15 Premier League matches this season. Key players like Bruno Fernandes (fresh off two goals and an assist) and Bryan Mbeumo will be vital, though defensive injuries to Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire persist.
Bournemouth are in a difficult patch, winless in their last six Premier League outings. Despite a gritty 0-0 draw with Chelsea last time out, their away form is worrying, having failed to win any of their last five league trips and conceding at least three goals in four of the last four. Their attacking output has also diminished. Midfielder Tyler Adams returns from suspension, but Lewis Cook remains sidelined.
🤝 Head to Head (H2H) Record
The recent Manchester United vs Bournemouth head-to-head record presents a shocking trend for the home side.
* Bournemouth are unbeaten in their last four Premier League meetings with Manchester United (D2, L2).
* Incredibly, the Cherries have secured a 3-0 victory at Old Trafford in each of the last two Premier League seasons (Dec 2023 and Dec 2024). This unprecedented dominance on United’s turf will be a massive psychological factor.
* The most recent encounter was a high-scoring 4-1 win for United in a summer pre-season match, but the competitive league record heavily favours the visitors at Old Trafford.
| Date | Competition | Result | Venue |
|—|—|—|—|
| 31 Jul 2025 | Premier League Summer Series | Man Utd 4-1 Bournemouth | Neutral |
| 27 Apr 2025 | Premier League | Bournemouth 1-1 Man Utd | Vitality Stadium |
| 22 Dec 2024 | Premier League | Man Utd 0-3 Bournemouth | Old Trafford |
| 13 Apr 2024 | Premier League | Bournemouth 2-2 Man Utd | Vitality Stadium |
| 09 Dec 2023 | Premier League | Man Utd 0-3 Bournemouth | Old Trafford |
🔮 Match Prediction
Given Manchester United’s recent resurgence in form and Bournemouth’s current struggle, particularly away from home (where they concede an average of 2.71 goals per game), the momentum points towards a United win.
However, the recent Man Utd vs Bournemouth H2H record at Old Trafford cannot be ignored. The Cherries clearly relish this fixture. United’s porous defence—conceding in nearly every league game—offers a lifeline for Bournemouth’s attackers.
Ultimately, the firepower of United’s attack, spearheaded by Bruno Fernandes and Bryan Mbeumo, should be enough to overcome the defensive fragility that has plagued them at home, while Bournemouth’s recent lack of goals is a major concern. It will be a tighter affair than the one against Wolves, but United should edge it.
Prediction: Manchester United Win
🎯 Correct Score
Many bookmakers and experts are predicting a high-scoring affair, given Bournemouth’s high-event away games and United’s tendency to concede. Based on United’s attacking improvements and Bournemouth’s defensive woes on the road, while still giving the visitors credit for getting on the scoreboard due to United’s shaky backline:
Correct Score: Manchester United 3-1 Bournemouth
