Manchester United vs Bournemouth. Premier League.
Old TraffordAttendance75,245.
Saturday 4 March 2017 12:31, UK
Manchester United put their long unbeaten record on the line against struggling Bournemouth on Saturday lunchtime, live on Sky Sports.
Jose Mourinho's side are unbeaten in their last 16 Premier League games - only Barcelona (18) are on a longer run in Europe's top five leagues.
Last weekend's 3-2 victory over Southampton to win the EFL Cup means United have now won 16 of their last 20 games in all competitions, although they still find themselves in sixth position, two points off the Champions League places.
At the other end of the form table, Bournemouth are sliding towards the relegation zone after taking just two points from their seven Premier League games in 2017.
It's a run which means they are just four points above the drop zone, however, the Cherries have won more games against top-half sides (four) than versus bottom-half sides this season (three).
Henrikh Mkhitaryan is out for Manchester United.
The attacking midfielder missed the EFL Cup final with a hamstring injury which he suffered in the Europa League match at St Etienne.
Phil Jones is pushing for a return after a foot injury, while Mourinho confirmed Luke Shaw and Wayne Rooney will be in the squad on Saturday.
Bournemouth must again do without captain Simon Francis because of a hamstring injury for the trip to Old Trafford.
Winger Jordon Ibe is set to be back in contention following a knee problem.
Cherries goalkeeper Adam Federici and striker Callum Wilson continue their rehabilitation from knee injuries.
Coverage on Premier League Live starts at 11.30am live on Sky Sports 1 with Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville and you can also watch all the action in UHD via Sky Q.
Not able to watch the game? Sky Sports still has you covered, with minute-by-minute commentary across all digital platforms as well as in-game clips, half-time and full-time highlights available on the mobile app and in the Football Score Centre with a free Sky iD.
This will be the fourth Premier League meeting between the sides, with United winning two of the previous three (L1).
Manchester United have a 100 per cent home win record against Bournemouth in all competitions, winning their five previous games against the Cherries at Old Trafford, scoring 15 goals while conceding just once.
Wayne Rooney has scored a goal in each of his two previous appearances against Bournemouth, including one in last season's 3-1 home win on the last day of the season. He also provided an assist in that game.
Rooney has never scored in his first three Premier League appearances against a particular club and could achieve this feat if he scores against the Cherries.
Bournemouth goalkeeper Artur Boruc has never kept a clean sheet against Man Utd at Old Trafford in four previous attempts (two with Southampton, two with Celtic), conceding nine goals.
Manchester United are unbeaten in their last 16 league matches since losing to Chelsea in October (W9 D7 L0) - the longest unbeaten run seen in the Premier League this season.
Bournemouth have lost their last four Premier League matches - they haven't lost five successive league games since March 2013, while in the third tier.
The Cherries have won the fewest points in the Premier League in 2017 (two), while also conceding 20 goals; seven more than any other team in this period.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored just one goal fewer in all competitions in 2017 (nine) than Bournemouth have (10).
Ibrahimovic has scored 26 times for Manchester United in all competitions this season - no other player has managed double figures for the club.
Ryan Fraser has won more penalties in the Premier League this season than any other player (four).
Manchester United's next win in the Premier League will be their 600th and they would be the first side to achieve this (currently P949 W599 D203 L147).
I can't see anything other than a Manchester United win. It looks to me like the banker of the weekend. Bournemouth are letting in goals left, right and centre at the moment.
On the other hand United will be full of confidence after winning the EFL Cup and will be looking to make it 17 games unbeaten in the league. I'm going for 3-0 to United and I think I'm being kind to Bournemouth with that prediction. It could be an even bigger scoreline for Jose Mourinho's men.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (6/1 with Sky Bet)
Manchester United are Saturday's shortest-priced favourites at just 1/4 with Bournemouth up against odds of 11/1 while the draw is a 19/4 chance. Mourinho's men head into the weekend as 10/11 shots for a top-four finish, but they're 66/1 chances to win the Premier League.
Ibrahimovic is the 9/4 favourite to score first and 6/4 to bag another brace, while Joshua King is considered the visitors' main threat at 12/1 to net first.
