This is a fan’s personal view of AFC Bournemouth from the outside looking in. It reports on the daily official activities reported by the club and comments made by individual fans on social media and fanbase websites. Life as an AFCB fan is never dull. As a life-long supporter of the Cherries, it is the friendliness of the staff, fans and my enthusiasm for the club that inspired me to write this blog.
It will be windy today, and AFCB will be a showcase as the early game.
With only two places between Man Utd and Bournemouth we could expect a tight game in this early kick off. United will be thinking they have overcome their bad run of form with a good win against Norwich last weekend, and a strong Carabao Cup performance to knock Chelsea out away from home. But three games in a week might mean some changes for Solskjaer to contemplate and Rashford is not going to score free kick rockets every time he steps out on the pitch!
The real plus for Man United last week was to see Anthony Martial not only come back, but to link up really well with Marcus Rashford. Man United had a potent attack again. Once United had a focal point they looked a much better side. The fears and in complacency might not yet have faded from their game completely though. If they find AFCB hard to breakdown then they could yet go back into their shell again.
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Solskjaer probably hopes that by playing game after game he will get his team to run into form. It has been happening so far this week, but what happens when they don't find things easy? It was pretty much a full strength side against Chelsea in midweek. Brendan Williams might not get a start, but we can expect Martial to be pushed up front to start against Bournemouth and Fred is likely to start in midfield. Pereira was also a sub in midweek and could come into the starting line up.
But this is not a Man United that should hold too much fear for the Cherries. Pogba is out until December with an ankle injury, so they don't have quite that same central power unit. But McTominay has been sensational for them. The defence has also started to do better with a goal a game conceded. United's record is pretty similar to Bournemouth's start so I wouldn't be overly shocked if Bournemouth drawing record was continued for another game. But one home win is something that Eddie Howe would of course like to improve on.
Gareth Southgate has choices in the front line that he could deliberate over for the Nations League match against the Netherlands. Harry Kane played in the Champions League Final but didn't look to be at full fitness, which is to be expected. But he is England's captain and Gareth Southgate has to decide if Marcus Rashford or Callum Wilson would do a better job against the Dutch defence.
Callum is fully fit and has a possibility to even start the game against the Netherlands.
If Southgate did pick Wilson, I believe Wilson is absolutely ready for the task. Wilson would stretch the Dutch defence in a way that would be different from the position play of Kane or the slight of foot of Rashford. Wilson has a bit of physicality about him which would be handy going up against van Dijk. Wilson, Kane and Rashford are no stranger to playing against van Dijk. But who would give him most trouble?
What I have been pleased to see this season is Wilson's ability to get headed goals. England are not especially known for scoring meany goals with the head apart from at corners and those are usually scored by the defenders. I don't think Rashford has the same aerial ability yet. But Kane is just deadly anywhere around the six yard box. Wilson has been working on becoming more of a marksman in the box and we have seen he can do it when supplied with quick crosses on the run.
Initially it was my guess is that Kane will start the game, but he might not finish it having been involved in the match against Liverpool. But if Raheem Sterling is made captain it opens the way for Wilson or Rashford to start. It may be that Wilson will comes on as a sub and if he can score he could cement his place in the side for the final or third place play-off. If that is the case, Wilson can be well please with his summer England work.
The difference between Man United and AFCB was perhaps no more clearly seen than in the substitutions that Mourinho was able to make, compared to those that Eddie Howe had up his sleeve. Man Utd brought on match winners in Rashford, Lingard and Herrera. It was a deadly trio that just increased United's fire power, but despite all the investment that has been made on AFCB's squad they just didn't have similar quality on the bench.
Ibe has to do more if he is to be an impact sub.
The bench is where Howe needs to improve his side. The quality has to be as good as those already on the pitch and we know from the match against Norwich that it isn't there at the moment. If Jordan Ibe is going to be a game changer then he has to start believing in himself more. He has to see himself as being better than those that are ahead of him and try and prove his manager wrong. But does Ibe have that in him?
The form of David Brooks is, of course, sensational. It is difficult for anyone to play much better at the moment and Ibe has to keep working hard to see when he gets his chance. If Ibe can view Brooks form positively and look to play as well, Bournemouth would be much the stronger for it.
I think Defoe and Mousset would have offered something for the Cherries in the last few minute against United and I would have liked to have seen one of them come on to keep United's back line occupied. Instead Howe chose to bolster midfield with Gosling, Ibe and Surman. Going defensive though was a backward step and perhaps Howe will think differently the next time AFCB are in a similar position against a side that is penning Bournemouth in? Daily Mail Fans' Verdict -AFCB 1-2 Man Utd
Nathan Aké seems to have taken Marcus Rashford's winner rather personally to heart. Judging the flight of the ball is not always easy for defenders in the box and I don't expect Nathan's team-mates will point any fingers at him. They are all in it together and on this one occasion they didn't quite manager to keep a good goalscorer away from the ball.
Marcus Rashford is a goal predator and just the striker ACB didn't need snapping around the heels of our defenders in the six yard box. Adam Smith did his best, but just couldn't stay on his feet to clear the ball. Eddie Howe will look at the wider issue though of why Bournemouth were being pushed back in those final minutes and why the cross was not stopped before it reached Rashford. Stopping the cross was the best way to stop the goal. Once the ball was in the box it was just a scrap to get to the ball first.
Howe may also wonder if the late substitution of Surman coming on just took player's minds off their jobs for that one moment. The last few minutes of a match are nervy parts of the game and AFCB do have a habit of getting things wrong at these times, as we saw against Leicester and Chelsea earlier in the season. It was also a shame to concede as it ended the home record of being undefeated at Dean Court. Having not conceded in the previous three games, there will be a bit more focus on the defence I'm sure ahead of the Newcastle match. Playing three at the back has enabled players to get forward, but at the end of the game it tends to be that AFCB have all their players falling back deep and, without the forward outlet, they do get penned in. It is also asking a lot of Callum Wilson to keep holding the ball up when he has done it for 90 minutes, but without Josh King there is not another strong holding attacker for Howe at the moment.
Marcus Rashford stole three points from the cherries right at the death in what had been a fairly even game with both teams passing up opportunities to win the game before Rashford''s intervention. Bournemouth had begin well with Callum Wilson's seventh goal of the season. Fraser had already passed up a chance to score before that and Brooks might well have had a good penalty shout, when he was bundled over by Luke Shaw. United found a way back into the game with an equaliser from Martial on 35 minutes after good work from Sanchez. From that moment on it looked like Bournemouth might struggle to regain the initiative. It was Mourinho's second half subs that won the game – Rashford and Lingard found the movement to hurt Bournemouth. Ninety minutes of good work would be undone with one break and AFCB were left to feel sorry for themselves when a point was certainly obtainable.
Remembrance for the fallen.
A few years ago it would have been a privilege just to play Man Utd and suffer a 1-2 defeat. But today it is a disappointment. Had Howe made more positive substitutions then perhaps he could have changed the course of the second half. Jermain Defoe and Lys Mousset may wonder if it is worth warming up on the sidelines on a Saturday afternoon. But in truth, Mourinho had stars on his bench and Howe had his best team on the pitch already with not enough quality on the bench to step up another level. That may change in January, but more likely in the summer, if the board give Howe the money he could have for the training pitch.
Ken gives a pre-match interview on Man Utd's chances at Dean Court.
Eddie Howe moved Charlie Daniels to the bench and played three at the back for the second game running, while Junior Stanislas lined up in attack with Wilson and Brooks.
Bournemouth almost made the perfect start with Wilson finding Fraser free through the middle, but the Scotsman pushed himself wide and could only find De Gea's legs rather than the net. It was Manchester United that the began to win a couple of corners as Sanchez and Martial tested Simon Francis.
The Cherries were quick when they did come forward with Adam Smith and Ryan Fraser. Wilson might have done better with a flicked shot on 10 minutes, but de Gea made the save. Another Bournemouth move from Brooks saw Adam Smith get into the box and cross for Stanislas who had his shot deflected off of Luke Shaw for a corner. It was sparkling stuff from the Cherries.
Bournemouth would take the lead after the corner, when Lewis Cook played a great reverse ball down the line and the cross that came in from Stanislas was sweetly struck by Wilson who reeled off in celebration of opening the scoring on 11 minutes.
Lerma was enjoying getting the better of Paul Pogba while Adam Smith put in a speculative cross that just bobbled wide of the right hand post. Francis was still crunching his tackles in on Martial to much applause.
An error from Lewis Cook at the back almost let Martial in but the forwards turn clipped the ball on to far and Begovic could grab the ball just in time. United tried the long ball up to Sanchez but Begovic was ready for it.
Fast passing from Francis and Wilson got Stanislas in a good position to shoot but he couldn't beat de Gea. Steve Cook was sliding in to stop Fred from making a break and Brooks was then unlucky not to win a penalty appeal when Luke Shaw went crashing into the back of him.
Bournemouth were defending well around their box with Lewis Cook on the floor but still able to clip the ball away from Pogba. Aké was sticking close to Martial, too.
A corner won by Wilson on 33 minutes came out to Lewis Cook who hit a good drive but it was blocked by a United defender.
United broke down the right next with Young before Sanchez made the most of it getting to the byline and cutting the ball back where Martial made no mistake, scoring from near the penalty spot on 35 minutes.
United were confident now and Mata shot wide four minutes later. Bournemouth might have gone ahead again on 42 minutes with Stanislas setting Fraser away again, but Fraser could only find the side netting.
Equal at half-time.
Second half
The second half came alight when when Fraser outpaced the United defence and passed to Brooks at the near post. The Welshman looked to have scored by back heeling the ball goal wards, but de Gea made a world-class save!
Aké put a header wider from a corner shortly after. Matic was carded for a handball which was duly well received by the Bournemouth fans as the referee had missed many more poor fouls that should have received yellow cards. A run from Luke Shaw cut open Bournemouths defence, but Begovic was brave and made a the save to force a corner.
Martial almost found away through but Francis and Begovic kept him out. Mata was replaced by Rashford on 56 minutes and Herrera came on for Fred.
Lerma was booked soon after for a foul on Herrera. Stanislas also picked up a yellow card for fouling Ashley Young. From the free kick Young hit the bar and the ball bounced around the six yard box with Aké making a block from Rashford and another shot was cleared off the line by Brooks.
United were in control now and Pogba was starting to play, finding Herrera who bent his shot inches wide of the left upright from 20 yards out. Pogba next put his shot over,
Bournemouth were hanging in with Brooks' deflected shot from the edge of the box carefully caught by de Gea running backwards. Another Brooks' effort bounced off his leg before he could get hold of it properly.
Wth United on top Fraser was subbed for Ibe on 74 minutes. A Bournemouth corner was beautifully flicked on by Wilson at the near post but no AFCB player could get to the flick on. Ibe won another corner, but Aké and Steve Cook got in each others way.
United subbed Sanchez and brought on Lingard on 78 minutes. United were pushing for the win with Herrera's cross coming of Aké and Begovic just managing to keep the ball out.
A great Bournemouth passing move then saw Brooks on the left side of the box hit a fierce shot that de Gea clung on to. Young was booked after fouling Adam Smith, but Smith was also carded as he kicked the ball away.
Pogba had a shot blocked before Ibe made a great run out of defence. Lingard saw his shot saved before four minutes of added time went up. Howe subbed Stanislas for Surman. In the next few seconds a cross from the left drifted over Aké and landed between Adam Smith and Rashford. Rashford reacted best to smash the ball in from six yards! United had won it 1-2 in the 92nd minute. Rashford was booked though for his celebration.
Howe has to reflect on the end of the unbeaten record.
Summary
This was a game that Bournemouth will look back on and be annoyed that they got nothing from it. They should have taken a point and could have won it if their shooting had been more accurate. A draw would have been fair. But United had the quality to win the game. Eddie Howe knows that his side can hurt the top teams though and they have to take that confidence into future games.
Begovic 7, Francis 8, S Cook 7, Aké 7, A Smith 6, L Cook 6, Lerma 6, Fraser 7, Brooks 7, Stanislas 6, Wilson 7
Man United De Gea, Young, Smalling, Lindelöf, Shaw, Fred (Herrera 56), Matic, Pogba, Mata (Rashford 56), Sánchez (Lingard 78), Martial United Subs Romero, Darmian, McTominay, Jones, Herrera, Rashford, Lingard
Ref Watch: Paul Tierney 1/10 - afraid to give decisions against the big teams. Had a disappointing game. No Cherry Chimes T-shirt winner this week.
Callum Wilson did not get picked this time in Gareth Southgate's squad to face the Netherland and Italy and he and one or two others like Jermain Defoe and Glenn Murray may be smarting from missing out at the moment when a World Cup is right on the door step. But it will be just as important to see how players who have not been selected this time react in the closing Premier League games, as those who already think they are in the plane already.
Will Callum Wilson have a last minute say in an England call up this summer?
If Wilson can get on a run of goals he can only do himself good. It may be that this World Cup has just come six months to early for him and he has to sit it out. He can probably count himself unlucky if that is the case, but if Southgate only takes four out-and-out strikers there is not much room if we count Kane, Vardy and Rashford as nailed on choices.
Danny Welbeck has started to score goals at the right time and may be the favourite to be the fourth striker and the attacking midfielders like Raheem Sterling, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Dele Ali and Raheem Sterling may help make it easier for Southgate to leave out alternative striker options, if he prefers to promote one of his attacking-midfielders further forward. Current indications are that he is willing to do this.
If such thoughts are how Southgate is viewing matters it is perhaps the next Euros that are a more likely target for Callum Wilson. He really needs to have a big season behind him going int a major competition and by not going to Russia it may actually be more of a spur to Wilson than, if he was on the plane, but didn't see any football. Whatever the outcome this summer, I am confident that Wilson will at some stage force his way into the national team and I can see it happening quite quickly, if Wilson can find his top form at the end of this season and at the start of the 2018-19 season.
I have been watching and listening the excellent season that Emerson Hyndman has been having in Scotland with Rangers, even though he is now sidelined with a foot injury that will keep him out for the rest of the season. His displays have been so good that he has even had Brendan Rodgers willing to part with Celtic's money to try and bring him to the other side of Glasgow, but Eddie Howe is of course having none of that.
Will Emerson play more of his football at Dean Court next season?
Emerson has along way to go having only just turned 21 in April and his four goals from 13 appearances at Rangers have already edged him up the ratings list in my book for his inclusion in next year's Premier League squad for AFCB. Eddie said in the Echo recently that AFCB had decide to change their transfer policy in deliberately going for young players with great potential rather than trying to prop the club up in the top tier with players that were experienced but coming to the end of their careers. You can say that it hasn't yet worked in the fact that AFCB fans have hardly seen Brad Smith, Lys Mousset, Lewis Cook or Emerson Hyndman in a red and black shirt, but having kept the Cherries up and having these players on the books, it will be crucial for the club for one or two of the new recruits to come through and become regular players for the first team.
We have seen it done with Ryan Fraser and I am confident that Emerson Hyndman is another that has the ability to make the grade from what we have seen him do in his short loan period up in Scotland. It is a shame we haven't seen more of him though down at Dean Court, and it demonstrates how difficult it is to balance the needs of getting results while trying to bring on players. It is rare that U21s find they can compete in the Premier League and while there are some like Marcus Rashford, Dele Alli who are at the top teams, it is quite something that Lewis Cook has managed to get a few games in his first season at AFCB. So while I look at Hyndman and realise he has plenty of time, it is what is best for his development at this stage of his career that Eddie Howe is most concerned about and looking at what he has achieved it probably was the right kind of move for him to go to Rangers. Whether he can step up again and make a start in the Premier League will largely depend on what he can do this summer and who AFCB bring in via new transfers. In other news, the season ticket prices for 2017/18 for AFCB have been frozen.
Today we will see England take on Australia in a friendly at the Stadium of Light. While most England fans will be watching the form of their heroes against a tidy Australian team who play for a country that of course do not like to lose anything when it comes to sport, especially to the Poms. Adam Federici will also line up for the Aussies in this game against players that he has faced in a few games in the Premier League but for him it is a real opportunity to show AFCB fans how good he is.
Adam Federici should be aiming to be no1 in 2016-17.
Adam Federici should not have been pleased at playing so few AFCB games this last season - 12 in all. He has been the number two to an Artur Bouc who has been injured for much of the season and yet he has not been able to dislodge the Polish keeper from being the main starter between the sticks. While the cup matches have kept Federici in some kind of form it is not ideal for any national keeper to be having to wait for chances to get on the pitch as a number two. He can start to try and address that by performing well tonight. I find his shot stopping as good as most top-flight keepers but he does make mistakes and does not perhaps fill the goal as well as Boruc in terms of size. It is also a bit comfortable for Federici to be a replacement at AFCB if Boruc has a problem. While Adam still gets picked for his country he has no big worries about trying to grab the top shop at earn Court while below him I wonder how hard he is pushed by Ryan Allsop? There are only a few keepers that get to play for their country and in the Premier League and Federici has to start seeing himself as a keeper that must start games. He'll have his work cut out tonight against the young Marcus Rashford and Dele Alli, but he could not ask for a better stage to pull off some sensational saves to get the attention of his manager and those who wonder if he really is a keeper that is challenging Artur Boruc for that AFCB shirt. Also in the action Harry Arter and Eunan O'Kane could also be in action against the Netherlands for the Republic of Ireland in their friendly. Adam Federici is only on the bench!
With the departure of experienced defender like Sylvain Distin this week there is already mentions of AFCB looking out for new defenders. I ask though is it time that Baily Cargill made his presence felt in the first team and show fans that the AFCB youth system can produce Premier League stars?
Baily Cargill before the FA Cup game against Pompey.
Baily is certainly the closest home-grown player that the club has to making a start in the Premier League and with the likes of Josh Wakefield and Josh Carmichael among those who have already been released by the club this summer, it is easy to question whether there are enough players coming through the system at Dean Court. AFCB have been accused of buying their way out of the Championship and like so many Premier League clubs they seem prone to prefer looking into the global market place rather than find room to promote youth. Baily could be an exception. He is already an England U20 international and he has a calmness on the ball that has been coached into him from an early age. He can keep playing the odd FA Cup match and be on the periphery of the first team, but sometimes players learn quickest when they are thrown in at the top level. This season we have seen West Ham give an early debut to 17-year-old Reece Oxford against Arsenal in the first game of the season having already played in the Europa League. Then there is WBA's Jonathan Leko who started against AFCB in May - he's another 17-year-old and what can we say about Marcus Rashford. While Rashford is at a huge club he still has managed to breakthrough. So is Eddie Howe giving youth a chance or is he holding it back? How much exposure should any manager give to inexperienced juniors when they are up against seasoned internationals in the Premier League. It's a hard call to make, but if the players shows the ability and aptitude to deal with the pressures then surely there comes a time when age should not come into it. Baily may get his opportunity now - I just hope he takes it when it comes. Transfer News Ryan Allsop has secured a new two-year deal at AFCB. The Cherries are also reported to be tracking Besiktas defender Alexander Milosevic. Man Utd's Michael Carrick is also a potential target for AFCB but would Eddie stump up £80,000 a week for such a player when Man Utd want to keep him? I think not.
The players can now go finally on their summer breaks with a big thanks
having been received from the fans up at Old Trafford.
Wayne Rooney notched up his 100th goal at Old Trafford to set up Man Utd 's win against AFCB in the last Premier League game of the season. In a fairly even first half the Cherries showed that they have perhaps started to learn a little about playing some of the very best sides in the Premier League. Only Wayne Rooney's 43rd minute goal separated the sides at the break and Marc Pugh had been given a chance just before that in the box which was blocked after a strong run down the right wing from Simon Francis. But it was United who were the class act and Marcus Rashford's second half goal, followed by another from substitute Ashley Young confirmed United's dominance, even if Chris Smalling put into his own net three minutes into extra time.
Eddie Howe brought in Dan Gosling and left Harry Arter out of the squad for this rearranged fixture. Harry is still suffering with his Achilles which will be worrying for him and the Republic of Ireland ahead of the Euros. Junior Stanislas was back on the bench along with Jordan Holmes and 17-year-old Corey Jordan.
Jason Tindall gives the team news.
It was Man Utd that were the side that started on the front foot winning a corner as early as the eighth minute and had another after 12 minutes. Anthony Martial was fired just wide of the right of the goal. While Marc Pugh won a few free kicks it was Utd that were pressing for that first goal. Pressure built up with another Man United corner on 19 minutes.
Steve Cook did get forward but had his shot blocked, and Marc Pugh came closest for AFCB when he had a great chance to test De Gea but found he could only find a defender with his shot. Then Man Utd won a free kick and Rooney found the bottom corner from the centre of the box to put Utd 1-0 up.
The second half was a little more attack-minded from AFCB when Callum Wilson made an early break but just could not keep control of the ball. Dan Gosling also had a ball pulled back by Ritchie for him and put the shot over.
It was United fans that might have expected the referee to point to the spot when Steve Cook got little of the ball and a lot of Mata, as he went to ground, but nothing was given and Tommy Elphick could clear in cool fashion just after 50 minutes.
A corner a few minutes later saw Michael Carrick hit a thunderous drive that came off the underside of the crossbar from 25 yards, with a slight deflection off of Tommy Elphick. AFCB were struggling to get possession but Wilson was looking for any opportunity on the break. A free kick special saw Josh King put a ball far too strong down the side when a simple cross into the box might have provided a chance.
AFCB were getting numbers back in good numbers against the constant Utd pressure. Rashford made a sensational run beating a couple of AFCB players on the right before Lingard tested AFCB's blocking abilities. Federici was then forced into a great save a Valencia drive of 30 yards. From the corner that followed Chris Smalling headed wide.
Man Utd were back on it with Rooney finding Mata who turned AFCB's central defenders inside out and pulled a good save off of Federici again.
Max Gradel replaced Pugh and King was subbed for Afobe on 67 minutes. Daniels then had to make a last ditch tackle to stop Lingard getting through. Wilson timed his run too soon when Afobe won a good header, but AFCB's number 13 was offside as he slotted home.
AFCB were gradually worn down when Utd kept the ball around the box and eventually played it deep to Valencia who headed back to Rashford who made it 2-0 on 74 minutes. There were calls from AFCB fans for Juan Iturbe but it looks like it was only a farewell song for the on loan Paraguayan.
Ander Herrera then replaced Juan Mata as Van Gaal looked to rest players ahead of the FA cup final. Rashford was also replaced by Mamphis Depay, while Lewis Grabban came on for AFCB in place of Wilson for the last 11 minutes. Depay missed a header to widen the winning margin but he was offside in any case.
Man Utd made their last sub when as Ashley Young came on for Anthony Martial. An overhead kick that flew over the bar from Steve Cook would have been a fine reward for AFCB's hard work, but they just couldn't match United on the day. That was confirmed when Rooney dinked in Ashley Young with Tommy Elphick and Steve Cook moving up and leaving Federici exposed and at 3-0 it was now comfortable for United who could have had a fourth if Young had timed his run better in the 88th minute.
A 90+3 minute goal for Bournemouth did arrive though when Max Gradel's shot was diverted by Chris Smalling into United's net. Summary The singing contest was easily won by the AFCB fans but Eddie Howe's side still have much to work towards in terms of keeping the ball and carrying a threat to these top sides. Far better sides than AFCB have been beaten by a bigger margin though at Old Trafford and Eddie Howe can be relatively pleased with how the side was well in the game in the first half and might have caused Man Utd some anxiety if they had held out longer. AFCB's game was not strong enough on the day though to hold United back. AFCB Federici, Francis, Elphick, Cook, Daniels, Ritchie, Gosling, Surman, Pugh (Gradel 66), Wilson (Grabban 79), King (Afobe 67)
AFCB Subs Gradel, Stanislas, Afobe, Grabban, O'Kane, Jordan, Holmes Man Utd de Gea, A Valencia, Smalling, Blind, Borthwick-Jackson, Carrick, Lingard, Mata (Herrera 75), Rooney, Martial (Young 84), Rashford (Depay 79)
Man Utd Subs Jones, Depay, Young, Romero, Herrera, Varela, Pereira No ratings this time - can't fault the players for a great season.
The task facing AFCB's men at Old Trafford is immense. While Man Utd were beaten at Dean Court last December they have come on leaps and bounds since then mainly because of the form of Marcus Rashford and the control at the back that they have again with Chris Smalling.
Man Utd at Dean Court earlier this season.
There is not is much anti van Gaal protesting these days as the Red Devils are closing in on a top four place. It is unfortunate that Man Utd still have much to play for. United have also been strong at home having not lost there since Southampton came away with a 0-1 win back in January. Two defeats in their last 10 games underlines their charge up the league. Man Utd also know how to win. Against Norwich in their last game they may not have dominated or out played Norwich but Wayne Rooney took hold of the match by capitalising on a mistake that Bassong made and Juan Mata did the rest. At Old Trafford they will create many more chance and it will be AFCB's task not to go down a goal early on. In some way the pressure is off the Cherries but they won't want to be torn apart in their last game. It could be a game where Howe reverts to five in midfield and no one would blame him for that. The side has not kept a clean sheet since the 2-0 win over Southampton back in early March and so a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford would be considered a great result. I am currently in the USA for a few days so I amy have difficulty in seeing much of the live feed but hopefully AFCB get a positive result. Man Utd Home Form WWWWD AFCB Away Form DWLWL
Rival Lines Match Preview Man Utd v AFCB Blogger Interview: Old Trafford Faithful Twitter: @OTFiathful
Well we made it to the last game of the season and Man Utd may need to win the game for their hopes to get into the top four but it is a mighty relief that AFCB don't face needing any points to avoid relegation. So when I spoke to Jordan Street, who writes for the Old Trafford Faithful website, having not known the result of the final match at the Boleyn stadium, my thoughts were that things might have turned out rather well for the Red Devils with Bournemouth visiting Old Trafford in the final game of the season. CC: What has it been like as a Man Utd fan to see your side not playing with the verve and intensity of Man Utd teams of old - has your respect for Fergie gone even higher? OF: Well it has been a bit of an odd few years for Manchester United. David Moyes never looked good enough, but Louis van Gaal was expected to bring that fear factor back to Old Trafford. That hasn’t happened whatsoever, and it shows just how much of an influence Sir Alex Ferguson was on this group of players. He’ll always be the best ever, there is no question about that. CC: If a big offer comes in for Wayne Rooney over the summer from China would you be pleased to wish him all the best and buy some new players with the transfer fee? OF: Its tough. Wayne Rooney has spearheaded United’s attack for a decade now, and despite that i’ve never seen a player here divide the fans like him. I’m a huge fan of his and I would love to see him at United for a few more years yet. He seems to be thriving in this new midfield role, and without sounding too big-headed, United aren’t short of the money. CC: If David de Gea is off to Real Madrid will a goalkeeper signing be the most important this summer? OF: Without doubt. We have some talented keepers on our books, like Sam Johnstone and Joel Pereira, but it’d be cruel to throw them straight in at the deep end. I’d love to see Marc Andre Ter-Stegen at Manchester United. I’d also try and get Keylor Navas in. Perhaps some sort of swap deal with Real Madrid? CC: Luis van Gaal might have started to get the team playing well enough to win a trophy and even get in the top four but is that enough for him to keep his job? OF: Again, this is a hard one. If we’re being brutally honest, he should lose his job regardless. United fans have been spoilt for twenty years now, and for 99% of clubs on the planet, a spot in the top four and an FA Cup trophy would be a hugely successful season. Unfortunately for Van Gaal that isn’t the case at Old Trafford, and we could well see him sacked when the season ends. CC: Are the expectations of the Man Utd fans set too high? OF: Without question. I’ve been born and raised in Manchester, and grown up with United winning title after title. The expectations here are ridiculously high, and the pressure it puts on the players and coaching staff is immense. CC: Does the progress of Marcus Rashford and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson make you wonder if there are any other U21 players at United who should be given a go? OF: I consider myself quite knowledgeable in terms of Manchester United’s youth products. Rashford always had it in him, but Borthwick-Jackson really did come out of nowhere. There are so many academy graduates at the moment at United that have the potential to go an awful long way in this game. The biggest of the bunch is Timothy Fosu-Mensah, but keep an eye out for Callum Gribbin who will certainly come through over the next few years. CC: Are Man Utd a long way from making a challenge from the title next season and is it as simple as a managerial change? OF: Yes and no. We have some real gems in our squad. David de Gea, Chris Smalling and Anthony Martial to name a few. Around them we have plenty of solid players. If Manchester United can keep hold of the aforementioned trio, bring in a couple of world class talents and get rid of some deadwood, we’d be more than capable of mounting a serious challenge - even with Louis van Gaal. CC: Which game disappointed you most this season for Man Utd and why? OF: Norwich City at home. They beat us 2-1 and we were just awful. Unfortunately for Louis van Gaal situations like that have happened far too often. The 2-1 defeat away at Bournemouth, losses to Swansea and Sunderland and the last minute draw away at Newcastle. Oh what could have been... CC: How do you expect Man Utd to line up against AFC Bournemouth? OF: Anthony Martial should be back, so he’ll be raring to go. They’ll be no Marouane Fellaini so we’ll likely see Morgan Schneiderlin grab a start. Putting those couple of players aside, it’ll be pretty much same old same old. This is the XI we’re likely to see: De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Blind, Rojo; Schneiderlin, Carrick; Mata, Lingard, Martial; Rashford. Cheers for having me. CC: It's been a pleasure chatting to you Jordan and I am sure my readers will enjoy reading the articles that are already looking towards the FA Cup final and the return of Luke Shaw. I admit Man Utd are not my favourite side, but I haven't found it particularly pleasing to see such a great team struggle to hit top form for much of the season. I want such clubs to do well in Europe and it's disappointing when English teams look well below par compared to our continental counterparts. In the Premier League though it almost lessens the win that AFCB had against Man Utd when other teams can manage it too. You need big teams to be almost like granite and with Chelsea and to a lesser extent Man City and Arsenal failing to live up to expectations it has been a season for the teams that don't usually grab the headlines. The one thing I am sure of though is that Man Utd will come back stronger as will several other teams next season, so enjoy the day up at Old Trafford no matter what the score.
