D-Day for Rooney as Mourinho title assault begins

Bournemouth pulled off one of the biggest FA Cup socks in history, when they defeated FA Cup holders Manchester United at Dean Court in 1984 and accusations were levelled at Ron Atkinson’s side, suggesting that ‘’they didn’t fancy it’’.

Manchester United did defeat the Cherries at Old Trafford in Louis van Gaal’a last league game in charge but earlier in the campaign, they had again come unstuck in the reverse fixture.

José Mourinho will be looking to outwit Eddie Howe but one of his main concerns will be a lack of height within the United ranks – the former Chelsea boss likes to have tall players in his sides.

Goal projections – Bournemouth 0.82 Man Utd 1.62

Team news & predicted line-ups for Bournemouth vs Man Utd

The hacks have been out in force this week and the majority seem to agree that a 4-3-3 formation will be needed to get the best out of Paul Pogba.

However, the Frenchman is suspended here along with Chris Smalling, so the Red Devils are likely to stick with the same 4-2-3-1 formation they deployed in the Community Shield victory over Leicester City, again going with the height of Marouane Fellaini.

Eddie Howe mixed things up last season but might go for a 4-4-1-1 here.

Bournemouth fantasy player to watch

Fantasy football managers will be keen to cast an eye over Callum Wilson. The former Coventry striker started last season in devastating style, before a serious injury curtailed his campaign.

If he’s back to his best he is sure to cause Manchester United’s rear-guard all sorts of problems.

Bournemouth team news

Tyrone Mings and Junior Stanislas are still in the Bournemouth treatment room but  summer signings Lewis Cook and Jordon Ibe are fit and raring to go , so both players are in line for debuts here.

Predicted starting line-up for Bournemouth (4-4-1-1)

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Man Utd fantasy player to watch

All eyes will be on Wayne Rooney on Sunday. The England captain needs a big performance since Mourinho is adamant that he will only play him as a 9 or a 10. This is music to the ears of daily fantasy football managers, who know Rooney produces much better figures when deployed in attack, but for FPL managers who have selected him in their squads, the prospect of a change of system to accommodate Pogba, lingers in the background.

It’s unlikely he will be used as a wide forward so he needs to get off to a flyer on Sunday.

Man Utd team news

Manchester United could field the same XI that started at Wembley in the Community Shield. Jesse Lingard has been passed fit, leaving just Cameron Borthwick-Jackson in the treatment room.

Predicted starting line-up for Man Utd (4-2-3-1)

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Will Wayne Rooney roll back the years to give new manager Mourinho his first 3 points at Manchester United?