Manchester United's Dutch manager Erik ten Hag gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on December 31, 2022. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester United are back in Premier League action and Erik ten Hag’s men are aiming to make it four straight wins in the tournament and could also extend their winning run to six games in all competitions.
United are improving with each passing week under Ten Hag and they will fancy their chances against Bournemouth, who have lost three straight games.
Ten Hag made a number of changes from the side that secured a late win at Wolves last weekend, with Marcus Rashford and Donny van de Beek among those to be brought in.
Raphael Varane and Tyrell Malacia have dropped to the bench whilst Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof reunite to form a familiar partnership at the heart of United’s defence.
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Speaking ahead of the game, Ten Hag has explained the reasons behind his decision to recall the pair.
“They were ill and recovered from illness,” Ten Hag said on Maguire and Lindelof, according to BBC reporter Shamoon Hafez.
“Varane has played a lot of games and we know we have to manage him, he is a leader and so important for us.”
SN’s verdict…
There’s no denying that Varane has grown into an essential player for United after his disappointing first campaign with the Reds. The Frenchman’s first 12 months were plagued by injury but now, he is one of the first names on the teamsheet.
Varane starred for France at the World Cup but returned early to feature for United – a mid-week rest was always going to be likely.
As Ten Hag mentions, his fitness still needs to be monitored and there are more important games coming up. Next in the Premier League, United face Manchester City and Arsenal.
