BREAKING NEWS: I have assigned TWO defenders to mark Him today because Man United have never lost any game that He played well so we have to shut him down today”, Bournemouth coach Andoni Iraola reveals the ONE Man United player that could give him tough time tonight
Manchester United welcome AFC Bournemouth to Old Trafford in the side’s last home fixture before Christmas.
The Red Devils are currently eighth in the league at the time of writing, but a victory on Monday evening could see them catapult up to fifth place in the league.
Form
United head into the game on a good run, with only one loss in their last nine matches, but also only one win in their last five league games.
The Cherries also enter the game in an unusual state, having picked up just two points from their last five league games.
Andoni Iraola singles out Amad
The Spanish head coach at Bournemouth was very complimentary of United in his pre-match press conference, but he picked out Amad as a potential difference maker.
It is still unclear whether United’s African players, Amad, Bryan Mbeumo or Noussair Mazraoui, will be able to play in the match tonight owing to AFCON commitments.
Iraola sung the praises of Amad anyway ahead of the crunch tie.
In comments carried by The Metro, he claimed, “the signings they have made up front – [Bryan] Mbeumo, [Matheus] Cunha, [Benjamin] Sesko – but especially players like Amad, who is now even more important.”
He added, “(Amad) is an even bigger threat, and we have to be ready to defend difficult duels for the full-backs and for the centre-backs because you have to defend some very good players in open spaces.”
Amad’s season
The Ivorian has played in 14 matches this season, scoring once and providing three assists.
Amad has developed a strong partnership with Mbeumo down the right-hand side, which United will miss greatly during the AFCON.
The Ivorian scored a goal against the Cherries in pre-season, but has never scored or assisted against them in two league matches.
Source: transfermarkt.com
