Man U vs. Bournemouth
Venue: Old Trafford
Kick off: 3pm
Manchester United need to beat Bournemouth on Sunday (today) and hope for a favour from Swansea City in order to finish above Manchester City in the final Champions League position in the Premier League this season.
As it stands, Louis van Gaal’s side are fifth in the table on 63 points and will need Man City to lose at Swansea to stand any chance of making the top four and potentially keep Van Gaal in a job.
After Man City drew with Arsenal last weekend, Man United knew that two wins from their final two matches would see them finish above their rivals and take the final Champions League position.
Despite all of the criticism aimed at Man United and indeed Van Gaal, the 20-time English champions have taken 19 points from a possible 21 in their last seven Premier League games at Old Trafford.
What’s more, they have only conceded eight times on home soil all season.
Speculation that Jose Mourinho will take charge has once again gathered pace in recent days, but Van Gaal could still finish in the top four and win the FA Cup, with the final of that competition due to take place against Crystal Palace on May 21.
Eddie Howe’s task at the start of the season would have been to keep newly-promoted Bournemouth in the Premier League and that is something that the 38-year-old managed to achieve in comfortable fashion.
Newcastle United, Norwich City and Aston Villa have all dropped down to the Championship, while two of last season’s newly-promoted clubs – Bournemouth and Watford – managed to survive in the top flight of English football.
Eleven wins, nine draws and 17 defeats have brought Bournemouth 42 Premier League points and they could still finish as high as 12th on the final weekend despite currently sitting down in 16th position in the table.
Man United possible starting lineup: De Gea, Valencia, Smalling, Blind, Rojo, Carrick, Rooney, Mata, Lingard, Martial, Rashford.
Bournemouth possible starting lineup: Boric, Francis, Elphick, Cook, Daniels, Gradel, Arter, Surman, Ritchie, King, Afobe.