There is a quick turnaround for Manchester United with the Red Devils in action tonight at Old Trafford against Bournemouth.
United enter the game in fourth place, looking to extend the gap over Liverpool to five points, who lost last night to Brentford.
This is United’s first game of 2023 and complacency is the team’s biggest threat against Bournemouth, after a run of three successive victories and clean sheets.
Bournemouth are in 15th place and have lost four of their last five matches, including both since the World Cup break.
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Predicted Manchester United XI v Bournemouth
Erik ten Hag will know the best way to combat the risk of complacency will be to send a message with a strong team selection, rather than indicating he is taking his foot off the gas by leaving key stars out.
There could be slightly little more rotation for the FA Cup game against Everton on Friday night, so expect the manager to go strong here.
David de Gea will start in goal with Aaron Wan-Bissaka continuing at right-back. We are expecting Ten Hag to stick with Luke Shaw at centre-back too.
This will involve Tyrell Malacia starting at left-back, with Raphael Varane partnering Shaw in defence.
Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez could instead feature in the FA Cup on Friday night.
United will likely continue with a first choice midfield trio of Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes.
In attack Marcus Rashford will return to the starting line-up, with Anthony Martial and Antony in attack. This could potentially be a good game for each of them to get onto the scoresheet.
Alejandro Garnacho and Anthony Elanga will be back-up options from the bench, with United still waiting on Jadon Sancho, and the arrival of a new striker.
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