Michael Carrick's job as Manchester United head coach is hanging by a thread as his side prepare to welcome Bournemouth to Old Trafford for Premier League action on Sunday.
If there were positives for the Red Devils heading into the campaign, they have been quickly extinguished following a dire start to the season which has heralded just one win from seven league matches.
On top of that, United have lost two of their three league phase games in the UEFA Champions League, while two of their senior figures - captain Bruno Fernandes and defender Lisandro Martinez - have criticised the club in post-match interviews.
Martinez took aim at the club's technical director Jason Wilcox for a lack of summer investment while Fernandes appeared to question the tactics of Carrick and his coaching staff.
It is chaos at the English giants and they face a tough challenge when hosting a Bournemouth side who head into the contest on the back of a famous 3-0 Europa League win over AC Milan on Thursday.
United look bereft of confidence and this could end up being the final straw for Carrick, whose short tenure as head coach may come to an end with a defeat.
Manchester United v Bournemouth Tips Summary
Best Bet - Bournemouth to win @ 21/10
Alternative Bet - Justin Kluivert anytime goalscorer @ 10/3
Bet Builder - Evanilson anytime goalscorer, Carlos Baleba to be booked & Adrien Truffert 2+ fouls committed @ 22/1
Manchester United v Bournemouth Prediction
Best Bet: Bournemouth to win @ 21/10
Hearing what Martinez had to say in the aftermath of the UEFA Champions League loss to Atletico Madrid would have irked Carrick, but the head coach must have thought that was the end of the outbursts after his side responded with a decent 1-1 draw at Leeds United.
However, the fact Fernandes, the captain of the side, has questioned the tactics of Carrick and his coaching staff following the 4-1 loss to Como is another issue that is adding to the pressure.
There is no guarantee the Portugal international will start Sunday's clash, and say what you want about his current attitude and decision to launch that astonishing rant, he is still the most creative player in the squad.
Without Fernandes pulling the strings, scoring opportunities may not be so plentiful for the Red Devils, who are seven games without a win and in a dismal situation.
Bournemouth will see this as a great chance to extend their unbeaten streak against United to seven matches and claim their second league win of the campaign.
The Cherries have fared well in recent trips to Old Trafford, picking up two wins and a draw, while they have grown in confidence with wins against Sturm Graz (3-0), Sunderland (2-0) and AC Milan in their last three fixtures.
Alternative Bet: Justin Kluivert anytime goalscorer @ 10/3
Justin Kluivert scored from the spot in Thursday's win over AC Milan, taking his tally to three for the season, and he will feel confident of adding to his tally against a fragile United side.
The Dutchman has netted in two of his last four appearances against the Red Devils, with one of those strikes coming at Old Trafford in December 2024, and he can rise to the occasion again.
Manchester United v Bournemouth Bet Builder Tip
Evanilson anytime goalscorer
Carlos Baleba to be booked
Adrien Truffert 2+ fouls committed
Pays 22/1
Evanilson has been in good scoring touch for Bournemouth, netting in three of his last four matches, while he notched in the 4-4 draw at Old Trafford last season.
Carlos Baleba could be busy in the middle of the park for United and a booking could be heading his way for the second game in a row, having been cautioned in the defeat to Como.
Bournemouth full-back Adrien Truffert committed at least two fouls in three of his last four appearances and he can add another couple to his tally in Manchester.
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Key Match Stats
Manchester United are without a win in seven games (L4 D3)
The Red Devils have lost two and drawn one of their last three home matches
Bournemouth made it three wins in a row with Thursday's victory over AC Milan
The Cherries picked up their first league win of the season at home to Sunderland last weekend
Bournemouth are unbeaten in the last six meetings against United (D4 W2)
Bournemouth have won twice and drawn once in their last three trips to Old Trafford
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
