MUN vs BOU: Team News, Match Preview, Kick-Off Time, Venue, Date, and Possible Line‑up
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📅 Date, Kick‑Off, Venue
Manchester United face AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League Summer Series in Chicago – a friendly tournament designed as pre‑season preparation. The fixture is scheduled for Thursday 31 July 2025, kicking off at 02:30 BST / 21:30 CDT local time at Soldier Field, Chicago .
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🧪 Match Context & Competitional Stakes
This clash is United’s second match in the Summer Series, following a 2‑1 win over West Ham at MetLife Stadium. Bournemouth, Everton, West Ham, and United comprise the four‑team U.S. mini‑tournament, with each team playing three matches across New Jersey, Chicago, and Atlanta .
While pre‑season fixtures don’t carry official weight, this game matters in terms of building fitness, integrating new signings into Amorim’s tactics, and shaping squad momentum ahead of the 2025–26 Premier League season.
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🔄 Manchester United: Team News
Bryan Mbeumo, United’s recent £65–71 million signing, was absent in the win over West Ham and is confirmed to miss the next match in Chicago, likely sitting out the entire Summer Series .
Andre Onana remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, keeping Altay Bayindir between the sticks in pre‑season .
Noussair Mazraoui is also unavailable due to a back problem.
Defender Harry Maguire was left out of the initial travelling squad for personal reasons but is expected to reconnect with the team shortly .
Diogo Dalot is ruled out for weeks with a calf issue, joining a sizable list of players including Lisandro Martínez, Amad Diallo, Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt, and others .
New signing Matheus Cunha impressed in only his second appearance, displaying strong link‑up play with Rasmus Højlund and Bruno Fernandes .
Amorim is expected to rotate heavily, giving minutes to academy prospects and new signings alike in this friendly context.
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⚽ Bournemouth: Team News
Bournemouth come off a record ninth‑place Premier League finish in 2024–25—matching their best ever—scored 58 goals, and conceded just 46 across the campaign .
Key injuries: Ryan Christie, Luis Sinisterra, and Enes Ünal remain sidelined; Lewis Cook is a late fitness call after playing through ankle discomfort .
Transfer updates: Their standout defender Dean Huijsen has now moved to Real Madrid, and left‑back Milos Kerkez is reported to be nearing a move to Liverpool .
New arrival Adrien Truffert from Rennes is expected to feature at left‑back in pre‑season ～ his first opportunity to impress under Iraola .
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⚠️ Recent Head‑to‑Head Form (Competitive Matches)
22 Dec 2024, Premier League at Old Trafford: Bournemouth thrashed United 3‑0, with goals from Dean Huijsen, Justin Kluivert (penalty) and Antoine Semenyo. United remained scoreless and were outplayed from set‑pieces onward .
27 April 2025, at Bournemouth: The match ended 1‑1, with Bournemouth scoring early through Semenyo, but United salvaged a late goal via Rasmus Højlund deep into stoppage time .
Bournemouth remain unbeaten in their last two Premier League meetings against United, having scored four goals and conceded just one across those games .
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📝 Possible Line‑ups
Manchester United (likely in 3‑4‑2‑1 or similar)
Due to absences, expect mix of youth and strategic rotation:
Goalkeeper: Altay Bayindir
Defense (back three): Harry Maguire; Leny Yoro; (Maguire or Lindelöf)
Wing‑backs: Noussair Mazraoui (if fit)/Diogo Dorgu; Harry Amass or academy prodigy
Midfield pivot: Kobbie Mainoo; Manuel Ugarte
Attacking midfield: Alejandro Garnacho; Bruno Fernandes
Striker: Rasmus Højlund
Or alternately youth-heavy variations with U‑21 players like Amass and Fredricson earning minutes .
Bournemouth (likely 4‑2‑3‑1)
Goalkeeper: Kepa Arrizabalaga
Back four: Adam Smith, Illia Zabarnyi, Dean Huijsen (but possibly missing), Milos Kerkez
Midfield duo: Lewis Cook (fitness check) and Tyler Adams
Attacking midfield: Justin Kluivert (No. 10), Dango Ouattara, Antoine Semenyo
Striker: Enes Ünal or fallback Evanilson
If Cook is unavailable, Lerma or Philip Billing may slot in. Guests could include trialists or recent loan returnees from apprenticeship ranks .
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🔍 Tactical Narrative & What To Watch
United will look to exploit Bournemouth’s recent vulnerabilities from set‑pieces and test their resilience under pressure. For Amorim, the match offers early data on new signings like Cunha, and tactical chemistry with the existing squad, notably false‑nine patterns with Højlund and creative fluidity around Fernandes.
Bournemouth, under Andoni Iraola, will likely stick to their structured 4‑2‑3‑1 shape—seeking control in transition, conservative midfield double pivot, and pace in attack. With key names out, they will rely heavily on Kluivert, Semenyo and Ouattara to create chances.
Despite the friendly setting, both sides also have a psychological edge to gain—Bournemouth aiming to replicate or avenge their December shock win; United keen to show improved cohesion and early spark for the grueling season ahead.
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✅ Conclusion
In short, this United vs Bournemouth match is a pre‑season showdown in form only, hosted at Soldier Field in Chicago as part of the 2025 Summer Series (United’s second match, after West Ham). The fixture offers opportunities for assessment rather than points—focusing on squad integration, injury management, and tactical experimentation.
United enter light in numbers, with several first-team players unavailable; new signing Cunha and youth prospects are expected to play central roles. Bournemouth, buoyed by a strong 2024–25 but missing key players, may offer stiff opposition and test United’s depth.
Look out for an energetic match where fitness, form and pre‑season momentum are on the line more than results alone—yet pride and performance standards still matter.
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