Rashford not in squad again as Man Utd host Bournemouth – latest updates

These two sides have met just 14 times before, though the first meeting did take place in 1982. Overall, United have won nine matches, the Cherries have won three, and two have ended as draws.

Last season, Bournemouth were victorious away against United, winning 3-0 at Old Trafford before a 2-2 draw at the Vitality in April.

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is pleased to be back at Old Trafford for Sunday’s fixture with Bournemouth and eager to put smiles back on the faces of supporters before Christmas.

It has been a gruelling period for United, with three consecutive away matches since a shock 3-2 loss at home to Nottingham Forest on December 7.

Back-to-back wins at Viktoria Plzen and Manchester City appeared to have the Amorim regime up and running, but they were brought back down to earth with a 4-3 loss at Tottenham in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Thursday.

Andoni Iraola has made just one change to the side that drew 1-1 with West Ham on Monday, with American midfielder Tyler Adams coming into defensive midfield as a replacement for Lewis Cook.

Enes Unal will remain on the bench despite his goal in that match, with Evanilson leading the line once again.

Perhaps the biggest team news is the continued absence of Marcus Rashford from the United squad following his comments earlier in the week.

Amorim has made six changes to the side that lost 4-3 to Spurs in midweek, with Andre Onana returning in goal.

In defence, Leny Yoro and Victor Lindelof drop out, with Noussair Mazraoui dropping into the back three, Diogo Dalot moving to right wing-back, and Tyrell Malacia coming into the starting line-up.

In midfield, Amad Diallo and Kobbie Mainoo return, and they replace Christian Eriksen and Antony.

Upfront, Joshua Zirkzee comes in for Rasmus Hojlund.

Man Utd XI: Onana; Mazroui, Maguire, Martinez; Dalot, Fernandes, Ugarte, Malacia; Amad, Mainoo; Zirkzee.

Subs: Bayindir, Evans, Yoro, Casemiro, Eriksen, Antony, Collyer, Garnacho, Hojlund.

Bournemouth XI: Kepa, Smith, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Christie, Adams; Semenyo, Kluivert, Ouattara; Evanilson.

Subs: Travers, Cook, Hill, Unal, Brooks, Philip, Aarons, Winterburn, Kinsey.

The line-ups should be released within the next few minutes…

Man Utd XI: Onana; Yoro, Maguire, Martinez; Mazraoui, Fernandes, Ugarte, Dalot; Amad, Garnacho; Hojlund

Bournemouth XI: Arrizabalaga; Smith, Zabaryni, Huijsen, Kerkez; Christie, Cook; Semenyo, Kluivert, Ouattara; Evanilson

Manchester United will look to kick on in the league having been dumped out of the Carabao Cup during the week. They are likely to utilise home advantage but Bournemouth will not be pushovers and the game should be closer than expected.

Amorim explained that Rashford was left at home on “selection” groundsand – if nothing has changed – it appears as if the forward is unlikely to return ahead of the visit of Bournemouth to Old Trafford on Sunday.

Marcus Rashford finds himself on the outskirts of Ruben Amorim’s squad and has revealed his is open to leaving the club meaning it seems unlikely he would feature today. Elsewhere, both Luke Shaw and Mason Mount are expected to miss the game through injury and Matthijs de Ligt looks like a slight doubt after missing the Carabao Cup loss at Tottenham due to illness.

Bournemouth are missing Marcus Tavernier and Luis Sinisterra who are both out for a few weeks with muscle injuries. Tyler Adams is fit again after a long-term back issue but lacks match fitness and could find himself on the bench again. Ronald Araujo, Marcos Senesi, and Alex Scott are all out with respective hamstring, muscle and knee injuries.

When is Man Utd vs Bournemouth?

Manchester United vs Bournemouth kicks off at 2pm on Sunday 22 December at Old Trafford in Manchester.

Why is the game not on tv?

The match will not be broadcast live in the UK. The encounter was originally scheduled for 3pm on Saturday, December 21 but it was moved due to Manchester United reaching the Carabao Cup quarter-finals with Sky Sports showing Fulham vs Southampton at 2pm instead. Free match highlights will be shown on Match of the Day 2 at 10.30pm on BBC One.