Manchester United return to Old Trafford on Monday night looking to steady their home form and keep themselves firmly in the race for a top four finish.
Read how to watch the game tonight, including the TV Channel, commentary, live stream for free and team news.
While recent results in Manchester have been mixed, the Red Devils remain well placed in the Premier League standings and will be confident of bouncing back against a Bournemouth side whose early season momentum has stalled.
What TV Channel is the Man Utd game on?
The Manchester Utd game is live streaming on Sky Sports Main Event in the UK, with commentary and broadcast available from the kick off time.
How can I watch the game?
You will need a Sky Sports subscription to be able to watch the game tonight, there are a variety of packages which are available.
United have dropped points in their last two home league matches, drawing with Everton before being held by West Ham United.
Those setbacks have slowed their progress at Old Trafford, yet they contrast sharply with performances away from home. Strong displays aaway from Old Trafford have helped Ruben Amorim’s side collect seven points from their last three Premier League fixtures.
That improvement was further highlighted on Monday night when United travelled to Molineux to face bottom club Wolves.
After going into the interval level, the visitors produced a dominant second half display to run out 4-1 winners. It was a result that showcased their attacking threat in front of goal, espcially Fernandes and Brian Mbuemo in midfield, and lifted them into sixth place, just one point adrift of Crystal Palace in fourth.
Amorim has clearly begun to imprint his style on the squad, and there have been encouraging signs for Utd fans going forward, but lapses in concentration continue to give teams chances in front of goal.
Nowhere is that more evident than in their defensive record, with just one clean sheet kept across 15 Premier League matches so far.
Old Trafford had been something of a fortress earlier in the season, with United putting together a run of four consecutive home victories before their recent stumbles.
Ending a two match winless run in front of their own supporters will be the least fans expect tonight, and Bournemouth will probably set up shop to take a point back to the south coast.
With no European commitments this season, Amorim has had valuable time on the training ground, removing any excuses for a lack of preparation.
The visit of Bournemouth offers an opportunity for United to regain momentum, though recent history suggests caution is required. The Cherries have won on each of their last two trips to Old Trafford, both by a 3-0 scoreline, and will arrive with confidence that they can cause problems. However, the wider context points towards a very different challenge for Andoni Iraola’s side this time around.
Bournemouth began the campaign in impressive fashion, losing just once in their opening nine league matches and earning praise for their intensity and organisation. Iraola was even mentioned as a potential successor to Amorim at one stage, such was the admiration for his work on the south coast.
That narrative has shifted quickly in recent weeks.
The Cherries are now without a win in six Premier League games, drawing two and losing four, a run that has seen them slide down to 13th in the table. It is their worst sequence of results since February 2024 and has raised questions about whether their early season energy has begun to fade.
Performances at both ends of the pitch have dipped, with Bournemouth struggling to create chances while becoming increasingly vulnerable defensively.
Their away form has been a particular concern. Bournemouth have won just one of their seven Premier League matches on the road this season, drawing two and losing four.
They have also lost each of their last three away fixtures and have conceded 19 goals across those seven trips, a worrying return for a side that prides itself on front foot football.
Further adding to their problems is a recent lack of cutting edge. The Cherries travel to Manchester having failed to score in back to back matches, underlining a downturn in confidence and fluency in the final third.
While they have enjoyed success at Old Trafford in the recent past, replicating those performances will require a significant improvement.
Amorim will also be keen to address his side’s defensive fragility. Conceding regularly has placed unnecessary pressure on United’s attack and limited their ability to control matches.
Tightening up at the back while maintaining the attacking intent seen at Wolves would go a long way towards convincing supporters that genuine progress is being made.
As the season approaches the Festive period, points are becoming increasingly valuable. United know that another slip at home could allow rivals to pull clear in the top four race, while victory would give the Reds a chance at a Champions League spot.
Bournemouth, will be desperate to halt their slide and prove that their early season form was no illusion.
Any predictions for Man Utd today?
The Manchester United versus Bournemouth clash looks well suited to a high card count, with over 4.5 bookings strongly supported by team trends, game state expectations and the referee profile.
Manchester United home matches are consistently busy from a disciplinary perspective, averaging 5.43 cards per game this season.
The over 4.5 line has landed in five of their seven league fixtures at Old Trafford, with a minimum of four cards shown in every match. United’s aggressive home approach plays a major role in driving those numbers.
They average more than 17 shots per game at home, with over six of those on target, forcing opponents into long periods of deep defending.
That sustained pressure often leads to late challenges, recovery fouls and tactical infringements around the penalty area. United themselves also contribute to the count, committing more than ten fouls per home match through midfield duels and counter pressing phases.
Bournemouth’s away record adds further support to the angle. On the road, they concede more than 14 shots per game and over seven shots on target, regularly spending extended spells without the ball.
That defensive workload typically produces fouls in wide areas and central zones, particularly when attempting to disrupt transitions. Both teams have been booked in 75% of Bournemouth’s away matches, with card totals increasing against high tempo attacking sides.
Match dynamics also point in the same direction. United have won the expected goals battle in 60% of their league games, suggesting Bournemouth are likely to be on the back foot for much of the contest. That imbalance often results in stopping fouls, repeated infringements and occasional dissent as pressure builds.
The referee appointment further strengthens the case. Simon Hooper averages 5.11 cards per match, with both teams receiving a booking in 78% of his games. The over 4.5 cards line has landed in 67% of fixtures under his control, reflecting a low tolerance for repeated fouling and tactical delays.
With United’s home card trends, Bournemouth’s away defensive profile and the referee’s historical data all aligning, over 4.5 cards fits the expected flow of the game.