Manchester United vs Bournemouth - as it happened: Romelu Lukaku heads hosts to victory

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Manchester United will be looking to bounce back from their derby defeat at the weekend as they take on Bournemouth on Wednesday evening:

Manchester United play host to AFC Bournemouth on Wednesday still stinging from their derby loss on Sunday and the fracas that followed.

The post-match fight in the Old Trafford tunnel has dominated headlines, and José Mourinho reacted brusquely to questions about it in Tuesday’s press conference.

But Mourinho has problems on the pitch too, with his side limp in the defeat against City, which left them 11 points behind Pep Guardiola’s runaway leaders. Romelu Lukaku’s form has been questioned in recent weeks, while Paul Pogba’s continued absence with injury leaves a huge creative shortfall in the side. However, their home form still makes them huge favourites for this match, having won every match and conceded just one goal at Old Trafford before Sunday.

Eric Bailly and Michael Carrick remain out for United, but Phil Jones is fit again and was on the bench against City. He may come into central defence for Marcos Rojo, who suffered a cut to the head on Sunday and is a doubt for the game. Marouane Fellaini is also in contention to return from a knee injury, although most likely from the bench. Juan Mata may return to add some much-needed creativity to the midfield, with Marcus Rashford the man most likely to lose out.

Bournemouth’s recent form has been a mixed bag, with three draws in their past four, and they remain within three points of the relegation zone. With a tough Christmas fixture list, playing Liverpool and Man City as well before the Boxing Day visit of West Ham to the south coast, Eddie Howe’s side may well find themselves in the drop zone at Christmas unless they can cause an upset in the next few matches.

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A fit and firing Jermain Defoe, who relishes games against the bigger teams, could be a crucial weapon in this after his double against Crystal Palace, just his second and third goals of the season. They will also hope to rely on a defensive record which is among the best outside the top six, with Nathan Aké and Steve Cook striking up a good partnership.

Adam Smith’s return from suspension will help on the defensive side too, with the right-back having featured in 14 of Bournemouth’s 16 league games so far. Simon Francis will drop out of the side, and Tyrone Mings remains out with a back injury.

Manchester United vs Bournemouth is at 20:00 on Wednesday night.

Highlights will be available on Match of the Day, at 22.45 on Wednesday on BBC1.

Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian striker’s hefty £75m price tag means that his every move is inevitably analysed, but his recent form, with one goal in nine league games, is undoubtedly disappointing for a player of his quality.

The 24-year-old will take solace, however, from his record against Wednesday’s opponents, scoring six goals in five games against the Cherries, including four in Everton’s 6-3 win at Goodison last year. With Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s presence bringing calls for Lukaku to be dropped, the Belgian will need to continue this form at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

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Bournemouth haven’t kept a clean sheet against Manchester United since 1984, a run stretching seven matches, and have never won a match in Manchester (P11 vs. Utd and City, L9 D2).

Bournemouth’s first ever league match with Manchester United ended with a 2-1 win at the Vitality Stadium, one of the most famous victories in Bournemouth’s debut Premier League season. The goals were not beauties, with two efforts from corners enough to consign United to defeat - the first of three consecutive losses as their abortive title challenge ended in a disappointing fifth place finish.

Lewis Cook. England’s Under-20 World Cup-winning captain has returned to the Bournemouth midfield in recent weeks, playing 90 minutes against Southampton and Crystal Palace and clocking his first assist of the season in the latter game.

He will have his hands full trying to dominate the midfield against Nemanja Matic and Ander Herrera, as well as protecting his midfield from the running of Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial.

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Manchester United 1 AFC Bournemouth 1, Premier League, March 2017

AFC Bournemouth 1 Manchester United 3, Premier League, August 2016

Manchester United 3 AFC Bournemouth 1, Premier League, May 2016

Manchester United: WWWWL

Bournemouth: WDLDD

Manchester United: 3/10

Bournemouth: 9/1

Draw: 17/4

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Jack Watson13 December 2017 22:06

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Jack Watson13 December 2017 22:08

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Jack Watson13 December 2017 22:09

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Jack Watson13 December 2017 22:10

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Jack Watson13 December 2017 22:11

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Jack Watson13 December 2017 22:16

That's all from our coverage of this round of Premier League fixtures. Join us again on Saturday where we get to do it all again.

Jack Watson13 December 2017 22:22

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