Manchester United to start strongly against Bournemouth

Manchester United kick-off their first Premier League campaign under Jose Mourinho with a trip to the south coast to face Bournemouth on Sunday.

The Red Devils have been very pro-active in their recruitment this summer. Not only have they captured Mourinho but also high-profile players such Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

United’s squad is undoubtedly stronger than last season and they will be looking to start the capture in a strong fashion against the Cherries.

Eddie Howe’s club have been ambitious in their transfer dealings this summer with the pick of their transfers the £15million signing of young winger Jordon Ibe from Liverpool. The south coast club defied last season’s expectations of a relegation battle and comfortably avoided the drop.

Their spending this summer has been focused on signing talented young players and Howe is attempting to create a legacy at the club, but they face a difficult task in beating United in their opening game of the season.

United are set to give debuts to Eric Bailly, Ibrahimovic and Mkhitaryan, but Pogba is suspended, as is Chris Smalling. Bournemouth are set to give debuts to Ibe and Lewis Cook.

United will be confident of opening their league campaign with a victory, but will be conscience that they suffered a 2-1 defeat at Dean Court last season, so are unlikely to take the Cherries lightly.

Ibrahimovic opened his scoring account for the Red Devils in the 2-1 victory over Leicester in the Community Shield. The 34-year-old could well be the deciding factor in this clash, as he seeks to add a Premier League winner’s medal to his La Liga, Serie A, Eredivisie and Ligue One winner’s medals.

Bournemouth have strengthened, but United should now have enough quality and guile in their team to come away from the south coast all three points.