Opposition preview ahead of Man Utd v Bournemouth in the Premier League

THE MANAGER

While the arrivals of Frank Lampard and Mikel Arteta mean he’s no longer the youngest manager in the Premier League, it’s easy to forget that Howe is still only 42. The former Cherries and Portsmouth defender has accumulated over a decade’s worth of managerial experience over two spells at the club, most famously taking them from the depths of the fourth tier to promotion to the top-flight within six years, via a short spell at Burnley. The longest-serving boss in the top-flight, Howe has long been tipped to take a job higher up the league, but all of his efforts right now are focused on keeping Bournemouth in the Premier League.

“A lot of outsiders will say we’re done, we’re finished,” Howe said prior to Saturday’s match. “But historically at this club that’s always been the way. In many different aspects we’ve been written off but we’ve managed to overcome and against the odds we’ve come through and achieved great things, we’re going to have call on all those resources now.”