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By HARRY BAMFORTH and CHRIS WHEELER AT OLD TRAFFORD and LUKE POWER Published: 23: 30 AEDT, 22 December 2024 | Updated: 02: 56 AEDT, 23 December 2024 375 View comments Follow Mail Sport's live blog for the latest team news, live score and updates from the Premier League clash between Manchester United and Bournemouth at Old Trafford.   By Chris Wheeler At Old Trafford By Harry Bamforth Boos ring around Old Trafford once again. The pocketful of fans who are left in the stadium voice their anger. .. it's probably the only reason they stayed. Bournemouth have battered Manchester United on their own patch for the second year running. It means United will spend Christmas in the bottom half of the table. By Harry Bamforth Bournemouth are fighting for absolutely everything. Leny Yoro looks destined to score a consolation goal from just six yards out. As his effort is heading for the net, a Bournemouth defender throws his body in front of it on the line. Incredible. By Harry Bamforth The bookings are back out. Dean Huijsen is shown a yellow but he looks like he doesn't care even a little bit. I'm not surprised, to be honest. By Harry Bamforth There will be five minutes of stoppage time. Not many fans are here to see them though, the ground is practically empty. I reckon over half of the home fans have headed for the car park. By Harry Bamforth Antoine Semenyo gets a huge ovation from the away end as he is replaced by David Brooks. James Hill is also on as he comes on or Tyler Adams for the final few minutes. By Harry Bamforth I think we can now say that Bournemouth have secured the points. We could have said that 20 minutes ago, but with Noussair Mazraoui just smashing the ball into the crowd, I'm now certain. The away end in the corner are in full-on party mode, they are truly loving life. By Harry Bamforth Even Amad Diallo has been miles off it today, which is rare. The winger blasts an effort closer to the roof of the stadium than the net. I wouldn't be surprised if that landed in the Trafford Centre in about a minute or so. By Harry Bamforth Oh, so close to a fourth! Bournemouth are in no mercy mode and Milos Kerkez arrows a strike toward the corner after a sweeping move. It's a great effort but flies just wide. By Harry Bamforth Is there a fire drill? Old Trafford is now emptying at a rapid rate, the fans have truly seen enough. Just last week they were having the time of their lives after the dramatic win in the Manchester Derby. What a crazy seven days. How football can toy with your emotions, eh? By Harry Bamforth Now this is what you call a tactical substitution. Andoni Iraola is looking to calm the game down and see out the win as he brings on Phillip Billing for Justin Kluivert. They have just 12 minutes to see out. By Harry Bamforth Bournemouth keep ripping through Manchester United at will. This time Justin Kluivert drifts into the area unnoticed and tries to get around Andre Onana. However, Onana does well to smother him. By Harry Bamforth Manchester United are having a crack now but this is too little too late, surely? To leave it until you are three goals down to go hell for leather is not exactly ideal. By Harry Bamforth Andoni Iraola turns to the bench. Evanilson leaves the pitch as slowly as possible and is replaced by Enes Unal. Not a bad player to bring on, eh? By Harry Bamforth Manchester United are not giving up just yet. .. The hosts break after winning the ball deep in their own half and Rasmus Hojlund is sent away. He drives into the box and tries to drive the ball across Kepa Arrizabalaga and into the far corner, but it drifts just wide. Better from United. By Harry Bamforth This could become a hammering. Bournemouth are looking the more likely to score another as they search for a fourth. If they do, I will be lost for words. By Chris Wheeler At Old Trafford By Harry Bamforth I can't believe what I am watching here, United look like they have forgotten how to play football. But wait, just as I say that, Kobbie Mainoo wins the ball in the middle of the park. United then work the ball to Alejandro Garnacho but he can only find the gloves of Kepa Arrizabalaga. United are in desperation mode now. By Harry Bamforth Wow. Wow. Wow. Bournemouth are in dreamland and Manchester United are in the mud. This is crazy. United are falling apart as Bruno Fernandes loses the ball in the middle of the park and Bournemouth are away. Dango Ouatarra fires the ball across the area following a quick counter and Antoine Semenyo slides home. De ja vu for United. By Harry Bamforth Justin Kluivert makes no mistake from the spot! Was there ever any doubt? Kluivert never misses when standing over a penalty and he sends Andre Onana the wrong way. Coolness personified. United are in real, real trouble. By Harry Bamforth Now that is what you call a stonewall penalty! Nousasair Mazraoui has a brain fart and wipes out Justin Kluivert in the area. It takes Craig Pawson just a second to make his decision and Kluivert will step up himself. By Harry Bamforth You know that liveliness I was talking about. .. it's taken just a few minutes to fade. That chance seemed like ti may be the start of an onslaught but Bournemouth have just regained control of the match. By Harry Bamforth You can't get much closer than that! Manchester United have come to life and the chances are starting to come once again. Harry Maguire gets on the end of a corner and flicks the ball toward the far post but Lewis Cook is there to clear. United are starting to look lively. By Harry Bamforth Look who is back. .. No, it's not Marcus Rashford. Instead, it's the other exiled forward Alejandro Garnacho. Ruben Amorim decides to bring both the Argentine forward and Rasmus Hojlun in an attempt to change the game. Manuel Ugarte and Joshua Zirkzee are the pair to make way, which is a very attacking move. Will it pay off? By Harry Bamforth Bournemouth have started this half very well. I was expecting Manchester United to come out all guns blazing but that has not been the case at all. Old Trafford does not sound impressed. By Harry Bamforth Oh, Antoine Semenyo. .. The Bournemouth winger has just sent s shot so far wide that it nearly goes for a throw-in. It's a strike that reminds me of the one that Marouane Fellaini had at Anfield all those years ago which hit a steward in the face. That was very funny. By Harry Bamforth Ruben Amorim is making a change, but it's not Rasmus Hojlund. Instead, the Portuguese coach is bringing on Leny Yoro for Tyrell Malacia, who did not have the best 45 minutes. Meanwhile, Bournemouth bring on Lewis Cook as Adam Smith makes way. And now we are back underway By Harry Bamforth Joshua Zirkzee is having another stinker. It's been another poor half for the striker who just can't seem to find consistency in a red shirt. If I was Ruben Amorim, I'd be getting Rasmus Hojlund ready as soon as I could. If they want to win this game, they need him on. By Harry Bamforth Michael Brown, former Manchester City midfielder, on BBC Radio 5 Live: By Harry Bamforth Manchester United really are dreadful from set-pieces, aren't they? Every week they seem to concede from either a corner or a free-kick, and it's been no different today. Dean Huijsen's first-half heard means United have now conceded 17 goals from set pieces in the Premier League in 2024, excluding penalties. That's the most they have in a single calendar year in the competition. By Harry Bamforth There are some boos from the Old Trafford crowd as the whistle is blown. .. It's an all too familiar story for Manchester United as they trail Bournemoputhn at the break. The half took a while to get going, but once Dean Huijsen found the net for the visitors, it sprung to life. United have a lot fo work to do if they want something from this. By Harry Bamforth We will have just one minute of stoppage time at Old Trafford. The half has finally got going and now it's going to end, what a shame. By Harry Bamforth My word, how many tries is Bruno Fernandes going to have? The United captain has his third chance in a matter of minutes and this one is nearly cracker of a goal. He smacks a storming effort from 30 yards and it looks set for the top corner, but it flies just wide of the post. I thought that was in for a second. By Harry Bamforth How are Manchester United not level? It's just not Bruno Fernandes' day as he once again goes close, but not close enough. United pinch the ball of the Bournemouth defence high up the pitch and suddenly it's three on two. They work the ball over to Fernandes in the area but he can only bend an effort straight down the throat of Kepa Arrizabalaga. He simply had to score there. By Harry Bamforth Ohhhh, Manchester United come so close to a leveller. Bruno Fernandes has their best chance of the match as Amad Diallo slides the ball to him on the edge of the area. He strikes the ball so well but bends it agonisingly wide of the far corner. He can't believe it. By Harry Bamforth Tyrell Malacia is having a stinker here. He has already given away a free-kick which led to a goal and now he has just made another silly challenge. He keeps moaning, but I'm not sure why. He's just not playing well. By Harry Bamforth What's the saying, they come like 'London buses'? Yellow cards are coming as often as trains on the Central Line in the capital now as Manuel Ugarte picks up a booking. He throws his arms into the air with frustration. By Harry Bamforth Now that's a harsh yellow card. .. Adam Smith slightly mistimes a sliding tackle on Tyrell Malacia and gives away a free-kick down the left. That's all it should be, but Craig Pawson goes a step further and books Smith. By Chris Wheeler At Old Trafford By Harry Bamforth Oh, stop that Evanilson! The Brazilian striker produces a bit of filth as he brings down a ball over the top with his chest and then sends a volley toward goal. It's a great effort but Andre Onana manages to keep a hold of it. The United fans are not happy in the slightest, it's groans galore. By Harry Bamforth Bournemouth lead at Old Trafford again! Manchester United's frailties defending set pieces are on show again and it's Dean Huijsen who makes them pay. Ryan Christie delivers a lovely ball into the mixer and Huijsen rises highest and flicks a header into the corner. Old Trafford falls silent. By Chris Wheeler At Old Trafford By Harry Bamforth That is a lovely move from the visitors. The Cherries work it from back to front with brilliance before Antoine Semenyo sees an effort blocked. When Bournemouth move the ball like that, they look so lively. By Harry Bamforth The weather is starting to match the quality of this game, it's rubbish. Rain has now joined the wind and it's that fine rain that gets you drenched but you don't notice it too much. The worst kind of rain, in my book anyway. By Harry Bamforth Oh dear. .. Justin Kluivert finds himself in space and you just know exactly what he is going to do. He pulls the trigger but slips as soon as he connects with the ball and it flies miles wide. The United fans love it and make sure Kluivert knows it. By Harry Bamforth I can't lie, this has not been the best of watches so far. Amad Diallo is about the only Manchester United player who looks up for this match. I feel like I say that pretty much every week these days. .. By Harry Bamforth That effort pretty much sums up this game so far. Bruno Fernandes realises he has no options as he moves toward the box so just opts to have a pop. The wind takes the ball and causes some problems for Kepa Aerrizabalaga, but the keeper manages to deal with it. When not much is happening, those are the efforts you tend to get. By Harry Bamforth That is brilliant defending from Tyler Adams! Kobbie Mainoo looks like he is in down the lefthand side of the area and he cocks his leg to clip in a cross. But out of nowhere, Adams steams in and gets in front of him, wins the ball, and clears the danger. Mainoo couldn't even see him coming. By Harry Bamforth Jurgen Klopp would not be enjoying the conditions here at Old Trafford if he was in the dugout. Why, you ask? Well, it is very windy and I seem to remember him complaining about it once. If you're reading this, sorry Jurgen, I couldn't help myself. By Harry Bamforth Manchester United look all over the place at the back, what's new? They give the ball away in midfield and Antoine Semenyo ends up with the ball at his feet. He has a crack from distance, which Andrey Onana stops, but then United give the ball away again and the Cherries win a free-kick. The visitors are on top here. By Harry Bamforth What was I saying again? Just as I pressed send on the last post, Manchester United decide to wake up. The ball is slid across to Amad Diallo in the area and he decides to have a crack first time. It's a decent effort, but Kepa Arrizabalaga collects. By Harry Bamforth There are groans around Old Trafford as Noussair Mazraoui's pass is miscotnrolled by Tyrell Malacia and goes out of play. United have not had the best of starts and if it continues like this the expected groans will be very high. By Harry Bamforth Bournemouth have started pretty well here. The Cherries are pressing aggressively and are looking to get in behind the United defence at every possibility. United have a real challenge on their hands this afternoon. By Harry Bamforth We are underway! Bournemouth get the game underway to a little roar from the home crowd, who aren't in the finest voice this afternoon. Will their side give them something to cheer about? By Chris Wheeler At Old Trafford By Harry Bamforth Well, that was a backhand compliment and a half from Luke, I'm not sure whether I should be offended or not. .. He's never actually seen my skills as a right-back, that's all I'm saying. Thanks anyway, though. Anyway, that's enough of that. .. the players are now coming out of the tunnel at Old Trafford. One last blast in the Theatre of Dreams before Christmas - let's hope it's a good one. By Luke Power The players have been through their warm-ups, the tactical messages have been given. Not long to go now. And with that, I'm off. It's time for Harry Bamforth to take over the blog. He hasn't amounted to much on the pitch himself, but he is a fine blogger and well worth your attention. By Luke Power Alright everyone, less than 15 minutes to go now. Get yourselves in the comments section and give us some predictions, if you like. One reader from Wirral writes in: 'Why is he messing with the team again. Zirkzee up front! !! Play your best 11 please. ' But one from london disagrees: 'I’m liking that team. 4-0 to United'. By Luke Power It's a 50th Bournemouth appearance for Milos Kerkez, who Fabrizio Romano recently reported could be a target for Manchester United in January. By Luke Power Justin Kluivert, Antoine Semenyo, and Evanilson are Bournemouth's top scorers in the Premier League this season, with five, four, and four goals respectively. They all start today, and don't forget Dango Ouattara, who is also in from the beginning. No Marcus Tavernier today. A lot of pace and skill up top for Bournemouth. I wouldn't want to be Harry Maguire. By Luke Power After midweek, Amorim has made six changes. Andre Onana, Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia, Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo, and Joshua Zirkzee return to the starting XI. Matthijs De Ligt misses out through sickness with Mason Mount requiring several weeks to recover. 'Matta [Matthijs] is still sick and Harry we just saved him from that game [Thursday], because he did the first 90 minutes for a long time [at City] and we have to be careful with this kind of player, ' said Amorim. 'Josh [Zirkzee] he did really well in the last game and we need fresh legs. Onana returns to the Premier League, so everything has a purpose and we are ready for this game. ' By Luke Power The two bosses were pictured in conversation earlier this afternoon. Bournemouth are off to their best-ever start to a Premier League season, with 25 points after 16 games, and if Amorim needs any encouragement about how to turn things around then he can look no further than the Spaniard, who failed to win any of his first nine matches at the helm of the south cost club but now has them competing for Europe just over a year later. By Luke Power We've been granted a glimpse into United's inner sanctum ahead of kick-off. How accommodating of them. Rasmus Hojlund and Bruno Fernandes are subtly flashing their watches, perhaps in a sign that they wish to become referees when their playing days are over. By Luke Power This is literally the most inappropriate match Santa Claus could have picked. He's got a world to provide for and yet here he is, sauntering around outside Old Trafford while his minions work away in Lapland. Couldn't he have just attended a match in, say, March, or September? It's either Santa Claus, or, after his outfit at the boxing last night, it could well be Tyson Fury, just with a slightly longer beard. By Luke Power Manchester United are reportedly planning a post-season trip to Malaysia for a big-money tour that could bank the club around £8million. Malaysia isn't famed for its football but it has a grand selection of high-capacity arenas, including the Bukit Jalil National Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. Watch out, though - going to Malaysia post-season could land them slap bang in the middle of the southwest monsoon season, if my rapid internet sleuthing is to be trusted. I wonder if the stadiums there have leaky roofs. By Luke Power Speaking to Sky Sports: Thanks for that insight, Ruben. Gave so much away there. .. Not sure if 'trying different things with different players' is enough of a justification to please Rashford. By Luke Power Scoff at expected goals all you like, but that's a hugely encouraging stat for Bournemouth fans - they're heavily outranking United on that metric. Oh, and they're creating more and scoring more. Their front four are among the most exciting to watch in my opinion and coming up against United's new system it'll be interesting to see what they can carve out. By Luke Power Feel-good tales are hard to come by at United in the modern era but it is nice to see Tyrell Malacia back playing football. Amorim handed him his first Premier League start in 18 months for the defeat by Arsenal earlier this month, but he only got 45 minutes. He's back starting today. By Luke Power Alright, United fans, sorry for resurrecting this memory - and you can thank me abundantly if you're a Cherries fan. Dominic Solanke, Philip Billing and Marcos Senesi helped Bournemouth to their first-ever win at Old Trafford last December. You can re-live that day below. By Luke Power Garnacho returned to the bench in midweek and retains his place there today, but there's no sign of Rashford. So, what is Ruben Amorim seeing? What is motivating him to freeze out a player who has been at the club for 20 years? Mail Sport's Chris Wheeler takes you behind the curtain and explains Amorim's point of view. By Luke Power It's fair to say Darren Lewis and Melissa Reddy didn't see eye-to-eye on Marcus Rashford's situation at Old Trafford. .. By Luke Power Speaking to Sky Sports: By Luke Power By Luke Power Well, there's our answer. No Rashford today. By Luke Power Mixed, really. One family member told me that he can't see any difference to the Erik ten Hag era. Tough crowd. Amorim has already experienced highs and lows in the dugout with his new club. Trying to enforce his style of play, he's won four of his eight matches but also lost three. Beating City in a breathless Manchester derby constituted a peak, but then came the trough in midweek as they lost 4-3 to Tottenham. Amad Diallo has been a stadnout star under Amorim and will be hoping to continue his fine form. By Luke Power There are another team playing today, of course, and if we learned anything from Bournemouth's 1-1 draw with West Ham on Monday night, it's not to foul Enes Unal just outside the area. Not unless you want to concede a sublime top-corner free-kick. The Cherries are unbeaten in four, having won the three games prior to their draw with West Ham, and beat Manchester City in Novemnber, if that counts for anything nowadays. A tough test for Amorim as he continues to acclimatise to the Premier League. By Luke Power Despite his early complaints about the intensity of media commitments that come with the United job, Amorim has already proven he is adept at dealing with the questions hurled his way, at least away from the pitch. This is what he had to say on Rashford's situation: By Luke Power This is the monumental question facing United's Portuguese boss. It's United's first game since Rashford's bombshell admission that he is ready for a 'new challenge' - a claim which Amorim cleverly spun by insisting that's exactly what they have on their hands together at Old Trafford. Sweet words only get you so far, though, and Amorim faces the cold, hard reality of having to select 11 men. Will Rashford be one of them? By Luke Power Hello and welcome to Mail Sport's live blog of Manchester United's Premier League clash with Bournemouth, kicking off at 2pm. It's a big day for Ruben Amorim, who could thrust his side as high as eighth and leapfrog and leapfrog the Cherries in the process. Also some key selection decisions to make, as always, but the stakes are higher this time. .. Published by Associated Newspapers Ltd Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday & Metro Media Group