Manchester United vs Bournemouth live: Zlatan Ibrahimovic elbow and Tyrone Mings stamp go unnoticed
Follow the latest from the Premier League fixture at Old Trafford
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Your support makes all the difference.Manchester United missed the chance to break into the Premier League top four as they drew 1-1 with Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon in a fiery and ill-tempered affair that saw Andrew Surman sent-off, Tyrone Mings stamp on Zlatan Ibrahimovic and the Swede respond with a swinging elbow. Re-live the action here.
- Manchester United 1-1 Bournemouth
- Marcos Rojo puts United ahead midway through the first half
- Josh King equalises after Phil Jones concedes a penalty
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Tyrone Mings involved in ugly clash shortly before half-time
- Both now likely to face retrospective action
- Andrew Surman sent-off for two bookings before half-time
- Eddie Howe arrived late after being up all night with illness
Follow the live action below...
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Preview...
Jose Mourinho's side could cap a good seven days - having won the EFL Cup on Sunday - by breaking into the top four for the first time since early September. Their early start at home to Bournemouth gives them a chance to leapfrog both Liverpool and Arsenal, who meet at Anfield at 5.30pm.
It will only be for a few hours as one of those two sides has to overtake them (a draw would put Arsenal back into fourth on goal difference) but it could be a psychologically important move.
The Cherries are meanwhile in desperate need of a win having slumped to a fourth straight league defeat at West Brom last weekend. They have not won since beating Swansea 3-0 away on New Year's Eve.
Such a poor run of form has left Bournemouth just four points clear of the relegation zone.
Vital information…
Kick-off: The game kicks off at 12.30pm on Saturday March 4.
TV: The match will be shown live on Sky Sports 1. Highlights will be shown later that evening on BBC One's Match of the Day.
Form guide
Manchester United: WWWWWW
Bournemouth: LLLLDL
Team news
Phil Jones returns for Manchester United after spending nearly a month on the sidelines with a foot injury. That means their only absentee is Henrikh Mkhitaryan, ruled out with a hamstring complaint.
Bournemouth will be without their club captain Simon Francis for the journey to Old Trafford, but Eddie Howe will be able to call upon Jordon Ibe, who has recovered from a knee injury.
Expected line-ups
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Rojo, Smalling, Bailly, Valencia; Herrera, Fellaini; Martial, Pogba, Mata; Ibrahimovic.
Bournemouth (4-4-1-1): Boruc; Daniels, Cook, Mings, Smith; Fraser, Wilshere, Arter, Surman; Afobe; King.
It's a big game for
Eddie Howe: Bournemouth have entered something of a slump, failing to win a match since New Year's Eve and losing their last four league games. If they do not get points on the board soon they will find themselves sucked into a relegation dogfight and all eyes will be on Howe this weekend to see whether he can help adjust Bournemouth's dire league form.
"We have always tried to defy the odds here and we will have to do that again, so we need to be very strong as a group," Howe commented in his pre-match press conference ahead of the trip to Old Trafford.
"In recent weeks we haven't had that collective team performance which we have been looking for, so my main focus this week has been to get everybody performing at their best level again."
Player to watch
Michael Carrick: The 35-year-old Carrick, who was awarded a June 4 testimonial by United on Thursday, has spent 11 years at the club, winning 16 major trophies, including five league titles.
But the veteran midfielder hinted ahead of this match that he could call time on his career if the club do not offer him a new contract. "(Retirement) almost depends on how long I'm here," he told reporters.
"I don't think there's many places I'd want to play, if any, after this anyway. I probably would say yes - that would be it if I left in the summer." Should he be called upon by Mourinho, he will be desperate to impress in order to secure at least another season at the club.
Best stat
Manchester United are unbeaten in their last 16 league matches since losing to Chelsea in October (W9 D7 L0) – the longest unbeaten run seen in the Premier League this season.
Odds
Manchester United to win: 4/17
Bournemouth to win: 23/2
Draw: 23/2
74 MINS
Following a scramble on the edge of the box, the ball falls to Rashford. The youngster collects possession, turns and goes for goal, but it flies wide.
76 MINS
Mings has gone to ground inside of the area following a challenge inside of the area. He is receiving treatment on the pitch.
83 MINS
Pogba sends the ball over the top towards Rashford, but it's over hit once again from the Frenchman and it makes light work for Boruc. The United man has done that on several occasions today and has wasted a handful of attacks.
86 MINS
Martial sends the ball into the box and there's a huge shout for handball again as the ball appears to rebound off Smith's upper-arm. The referee ignores the roar of Old Trafford and signals play on.
90(+3) MINS
United relentlessly attack the Bournemouth goal, but Pogba fails to connect properly with a close range strike. Ibrahimovic heads the ball to the feet of his team mate, but the Frenchman is unable ot test Boruc from six-yards out.
FULL TIME
It's all over at Old Trafford, with United failing to regain the lead against a ten man Bournemouth side. Rojo scored the opener, but King levelled the scoring from the penalty spot following a clumsy challenge from Jones at the back. Mourinho's men have lost their chance to move into the top four for the first time since the middle of September.
Bournemouth deserve praise for their relentless work rate to deny United throughout. They looked menacing going forward, but there's certainly room for improvement in the defence. Nonetheless, Howe will be overwhelmed with the performance, and more importantly - the result.
That's all from Old Trafford, but make sure you tune into our live coverage of all of the 3 o'clock action.
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