The second round of the Premier League Summer Series features a crucial clash in Chicago on Wednesday night, as Manchester United take on their recent bogey team, Bournemouth, at Soldier Field.
Both teams are coming off impressive opening-round victories. United overcame West Ham 2-1 thanks to a brace from captain Bruno Fernandes, while Bournemouth comfortably dispatched Everton with a 3-0 win. The winner of this match will take a significant step towards claiming the pre-season trophy.
Manchester United fans will have to wait a little longer to see star signing Bryan Mbeumo, as manager Ruben Amorim has confirmed the forward will not make his debut here and is being saved for the final game of the tour. However, the squad could be boosted by the return of Noussair Mazraoui and Joshua Zirkzee from minor injuries, while Altay Bayındır will continue in goal.
Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth side will be full of confidence. Not only did they start the tournament in excellent form, but they are also unbeaten in their last four competitive meetings against the Red Devils, making them a true “bogey team” for United.
While United boasts formidable individual talent, their collective cohesion and pressing system under Amorim are still a work in progress and showed flaws against West Ham. The prediction from analysts is that Bournemouth’s “slicker cohesion” and established playing style could expose these weaknesses.
This is set to be a tough test for a Manchester United side that is still in transition. Given Bournemouth’s excellent recent record against them and their strong start to the tournament, they could pull off an upset in what promises to be an entertaining, high-scoring affair.
Prediction: Man Utd 2–3 Bournemouth