Manchester United need a convincing response when Bournemouth arrive at Old Trafford, with Michael Carrick under pressure to restore confidence after the damaging defeat to Como.

United’s defensive and attacking problems have become increasingly difficult to ignore, particularly with several senior players unavailable through injury.

Their opponents have endured a mixed start to the Premier League season, collecting six points from their first seven matches.

However, Bournemouth have shown another side to their game in Europe, where their attacking intensity has helped them make an encouraging start to their campaign.

Their 3-0 victory over AC Milan on Thursday offered a reminder that they can trouble established sides when given space to attack.

Sunday’s fixture could therefore present another difficult test for a United team that desperately needs to rediscover its defensive discipline.

Bournemouth receive massive injury boost ahead of Manchester United clash

Bournemouth have received a timely boost ahead of their visit to Manchester United, with Eli Junior Kroupi back in team training and potentially ready to make his first appearance of the 2026-27 season.

Bournemouth manager Marco Rose has confirmed that the French forward is being considered for the trip to Old Trafford after recovering from a foot injury sustained during pre-season.

“The plan is to take him with us to Manchester and give him some minutes.”

Eli Junior Kroupi suffered a fractured fifth metatarsal during Bournemouth’s pre-season training camp in Austria and required surgery.

The injury ruled him out of the opening part of the season, delaying his return after a breakthrough season in English football.

Rose subsequently confirmed that Kroupi had resumed team training, although he was not included on Bournemouth’s UEFA list for their Europa League fixture against AC Milan.

That meant he could not feature in Thursday’s 3-0 victory, but he could be available for Sunday’s Premier League match.

Any involvement is likely to be managed carefully as he works his way back to full match fitness.

Even a short appearance would provide Bournemouth with another attacking option against a United defence that has struggled in recent matches.

The 20-year-old made a significant impression last season, scoring 13 league goals and establishing himself as one of Bournemouth’s most promising young attackers.

His goals helped the Cherries secure European football, making his absence a notable setback at the beginning of the new campaign.

The priority will be to manage Kroupi’s comeback sensibly while maintaining the intensity that has served them well in Europe.