Ruben Amorim is happy by Manchester United’s enhancements however urged his gamers to place their EFL Cup defeat behind them towards Bournemouth on Sunday.
United averted a 3rd consecutive Premier League defeat final weekend as two late targets noticed them beat rivals Manchester Metropolis 2-1 on the Etihad Stadium.
Nevertheless, they had been then knocked out of the EFL Cup after a 4-3 defeat to Tottenham within the quarter-final on Thursday, with a late Son Heung-min strike instantly from a nook securing their destiny after a spirited try at a comeback.
Whereas Amorim admitted it was exhausting to see the positives after that loss, he was impressed with the work his gamers had put in to date.
“I believe we’re enhancing close to the opponents’ field. We had some video games that we’re close to the field, however with no actual menace,” he mentioned.
“You might see various things, and you’ll see that we will shoot. We’re close to the aim, and you are feeling it.
“I really feel that our crew is quicker, are urgent extra, the physicality is enhancing, the understanding of the sport, and you’ll see it by the controlling of the sport, and also you see it extra.
“We perceive extra [about] the place and the motion that we must always do. So, there are lots of issues, but it surely’s exhausting to think about the nice issues [after the EFL Cup exit].”
In the meantime, Bournemouth are unbeaten of their final 4 Premier League matches, although they had been held to a 1-1 draw by West Ham after three wins on the bounce.
Andoni Iraola could really feel his facet ought to have made it 4 consecutive wins after having 29 photographs with an anticipated targets (xG) tally of two.01 in that recreation, and he acknowledged they may very well be much more scientific.
“The way in which we play, it makes our forwards arrive extra drained to complete our probabilities – it isn’t the identical probability you could have as if you happen to simply ready for an opportunity as a 9,” he mentioned.
“It’s a must to do the entire work, and perhaps you don’t arrive together with your thoughts as clear to complete in similar method.”
Who’s wanting ahead to this one? pic.twitter.com/5F26cYgZpQ
— AFC Bournemouth (@afcbournemouth) December 19, 2024
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Manchester United – Amad Diallo
Amad Diallo has both scored or assisted a aim in every of his final 5 Premier League begins (one aim, 5 assists), netting the winner towards Man Metropolis final day trip.
General, the 22-year-old has been concerned in seven targets throughout Amorim’s tenure, scoring two and helping 5 targets in all competitions.
Bournemouth – Ryan Christie
Ryan Christie was instantly concerned in 11 of Bournemouth’s 29 photographs towards West Ham, having six photographs and creating 5 probabilities.
It was solely the third time a Cherries participant had each had 5+ photographs and created 5+ probabilities in a Premier League recreation, after Jordon Ibe vs. Brighton in January 2018 (seven photographs, 5 probabilities created) and Josh King vs. Chelsea in January 2019 (5 photographs, 5 probabilities created).
MATCH PREDICTION: MANCHESTER UNITED WIN
Manchester United didn’t win both of their Premier League conferences with Bournemouth final season, shedding 3-0 at Previous Trafford in December, however they’ve by no means misplaced back-to-back residence conferences with the Cherries.
Certainly, Bournemouth have misplaced 5 of their seven Premier League away video games towards United (W1 D1).
Nevertheless, Bournemouth have received their final two Premier League away video games. They final received extra consecutively on the street in December 2023, a run of 4 through which the third recreation got here towards United.
Solely Man Metropolis (282) have had extra photographs within the Premier League this season than Bournemouth (270), with the 29 they tried towards West Ham final day trip their second-most in a Premier League recreation, behind the 32 they’d towards Sheffield United in March 2024.
United have conceded a better share of their targets from corners than another facet within the Premier League this season (42% – 8/19). Certainly, 4 of their seven targets conceded beneath Amorim to date have come from corners.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Manchester United – 50.1%
Draw – 23.6%
Bournemouth – 26.3%