Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has given his pre match thoughts ahead of his side’s crucial tie against league strugglers Bournemouth.
The Red’s are set to take-on Eddie Howe’s Cherries at 3pm in a game which could have serious implications for both sides for two very different reasons.
United will be hoping to take advantage of top-four rivals Chelsea and Leicester City dropping points midweek.
Speaking ahead of kick-off manager Solskjaer has explained his decision to name a third consecutive unchanged side for the first time in 14-years which features both Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes.
Solskjaer told BT Sport: “Ive got many reasons to play them but it’s also difficult to leave players out who haven’t done so well and they know they’re a big part of the team.
“It’s a squad game. […] There is no problems, everyone is 100% now. Go out and work hard go and do all the unselfish bits that we’ve always seen from the best Man United teams, that’s one of the biggest attributes we’ve had over the years. […] I want my team and my players to work harder than the opposition.”
Visitors Bournemouth will be hoping to cause an upset at Old Trafford as their fight for Premier League survival goes on. Solskjaer has insisted that his side will need to ‘earn the right’ to beat Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth.
United will be keen to avoid a repeat of the reverse tie when Bournemouth beat the Reds 1-0 at The Vitality Stadium in 2019.
Speaking about how he sees the game goes, Solskjaer said: “Anytime team that is in danger of relegation will give it a real go. […] They’re brilliant at set plays. […] We know that we we have to earn the right to win this.”
United kick-off against Bournemouth at 3pm and will be looking to start the game as well as they did in their last Premier League outing against Brighton and Hove Albion in an attempt to tighten their grip on European qualification.
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