United vs Bournemouth: 2025 EPL summer series preview, prediction
Manchester United vs Bournemouth in 2025 EPL Summer Series. Photo Credit- Khel Now
On July 30, 2025, by 20:30 CDT (02:30 BST, 03:30 WAT, July 31), at Soldier Field in Chicago, Manchester United face Bournemouth in a high-stakes Premier League Summer Series clash. The Red Devils, under Ruben Amorim’s rebuild after a dismal 2024/25 season, aim to build momentum following a 2-1 win over West Ham. Bournemouth, fresh off a ninth-place Premier League finish and a 3-0 pre-season rout of Everton, bring attacking flair and confidence. This transatlantic showdown promises intensity as both sides fine-tune for the 2025/26 campaign.
Manchester United team performances
The Red Devils are in the midst of a critical rebuild under new head coach Ruben Amorim, following a disastrous 2024/25 Premier League season that saw them finish 15th with 42 points, their worst-ever top-flight campaign. Excluded from European competitions for the first time since 2014/15, United are using the 2025 Premier League Summer Series to lay the foundations for a revival. Their pre-season began with a 1-0 loss to an ASEAN All-Stars XI and a 3-1 win over Hong Kong in Asia, followed by a 0-0 draw against Leeds United in Sweden. In their Summer Series opener, United secured a 2-1 victory over West Ham at MetLife Stadium, with captain Bruno Fernandes scoring twice. Despite the win, Amorim’s side showed defensive frailties, conceding from a Jarrod Bowen set piece, highlighting areas for improvement.
Manchester United tactics
Amorim’s preferred 3-4-2-1 formation emphasizes compact defending and quick transitions. Bruno Fernandes and new signing Matheus Cunha, a £62.5 million arrival from Wolves, operate as dual No. 10s behind Rasmus Hojlund, with wing-backs Diogo Dalot and debutant Diego Leon providing width. Kobbie Mainoo’s progressive passing anchors midfield alongside Manuel Ugarte. United’s 2-1 win over West Ham showed attacking promise but exposed set-piece vulnerabilities, with Bowen’s goal highlighting gaps in their backline. Amorim may rotate to test youngsters like Sekou Kone and Ayden Heaven, focusing on improving defensive organization while encouraging Cunha and Fernandes to exploit Bournemouth’s high line with incisive passes.
Manchester United team news and injuries
Bruno Fernandes (2 goals vs West Ham) is the linchpin, with Matheus Cunha and Rasmus Hojlund leading the attack. Kobbie Mainoo’s midfield presence is crucial. Lisandro Martinez (knee) and Andre Onana (hamstring) are ruled out for the Summer Series, with Altay Bayindir starting in goal. Bryan Mbeumo, a £71 million signing from Brentford, is sidelined but expected to return against Everton. Diego Leon, an 18-year-old Paraguayan left-back, impressed on debut against Leeds and could feature prominently. Sekou Kone and Chido Obi are pushing for minutes after strong academy performances.
Expected Lineup (3-4-2-1): Bayindir; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Yoro; Dalot, Mainoo, Ugarte, Leon; Fernandes, Cunha; Hojlund.
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Bournemouth team form
The Cherries, under Andoni Iraola, are coming off a stellar 2024/25 Premier League season, finishing ninth with their best top-flight position in eight years. Their pre-season has been equally impressive, starting with a 3-0 thrashing of Everton in the Summer Series opener at MetLife Stadium, where Philip Billing, Dango Ouattara, and Daniel Adu-Adjei scored in a dominant second half. Bournemouth’s attacking fluidity and defensive solidity conceding no goals against Everton signal their intent to replicate last season’s success. With a US tour aimed at expanding their fanbase under American owner Bill Foley, Bournemouth are leveraging their momentum to fine-tune tactics ahead of their Premier League opener against Liverpool on August 15.
Bournemouth tactics
Iraola’s 4-2-3-1 blends high pressing with attacking fluidity, as seen in their 3-0 rout of Everton. Philip Billing’s box-to-box energy and Dango Ouattara’s pace stretch defenses, while Antoine Semenyo’s directness threatens on the right. New signings Adrien Truffert (left-back from Rennes) and Djordje Petrovic (goalkeeper from Chelsea) bolster the backline, compensating for the departures of Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez. Bournemouth’s aggressive second-half approach against Everton suggests Iraola will target United’s makeshift defense missing Lisandro Martinez with quick transitions and set-piece pressure, where Billing’s aerial ability could be key.
Bournemouth team news and injuries
Dango Ouattara (1 goal, 1 assist vs Everton) and Antoine Semenyo drive the attack, with Philip Billing’s dynamism key in midfield. Enes Unal (hamstring) and Ryan Christie (ankle) are ruled out, but no other major concerns are reported. Adrien Truffert and Djordje Petrovic debuted against Everton, with Alex Scott and Julian Araujo expected to see more minutes after international commitments. Daniel Adu-Adjei’s goal off the bench signals youth integration. Departures of Huijsen (Real Madrid) and Kerkez (Liverpool) weaken the defense, but Truffert’s arrival mitigates the loss.
Expected Lineup (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Araujo, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Truffert; Cook, Billing; Semenyo, Scott, Ouattara; Solanke.
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Man United vs Bournemouth head-to-head statistics
Manchester United lead with 14 wins to Bournemouth’s 5 in 22 competitive meetings, with 3 draws. Bournemouth’s 3-0 win at Old Trafford in December 2024 and a 1-1 draw in April 2025 extended their unbeaten run against United to four matches (2 wins, 2 draws).
Bournemouth’s 3-0 victory last season, with goals from Huijsen, Kluivert, and Semenyo, was their second consecutive win at Old Trafford. United’s last win over Bournemouth was a 3-0 home victory in January 2023. Recent matches are high-scoring, with over 2.5 goals in three of the last five encounters. United have scored only three goals in their last four games against Bournemouth, highlighting their struggle against Iraola’s setup. Bournemouth’s confidence stems from their recent dominance, but United’s win over West Ham suggests improvement under Amorim, setting up a competitive clash.
Man United vs Bournemouth score prediction
Manchester United’s 2-1 win over West Ham showed attacking promise but defensive errors, particularly on set pieces, which Bournemouth’s Billing could exploit. The Cherries’ 3-0 rout of Everton highlighted their attacking fluidity and defensive solidity, giving them an edge in form. United’s missing stars (Martinez, Onana) and Bournemouth’s injury concerns (Unal, Christie) level the playing field, but Bournemouth’s recent head-to-head dominance (unbeaten in four) and Ouattara’s pace could trouble United’s makeshift backline. However, Fernandes’s leadership and Cunha’s integration give United firepower. Posts on social media note Bournemouth’s “fearless” approach, but United’s desperation for momentum may prevail in a tight contest.
