Everything you need to know ahead of the Premier League clash at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

 

 

Jose Mourinho and Manchester United have a lot to prove in the next few weeks following the derby defeat to neighbours City which has seen them fall 11 points off the pace in the Premier League title race.

 

United's performance on Sunday has attracted plenty of attention for its timidity, and only a string of more expressive displays is likely to salve the wounds of Reds supporters still smarting from the City loss.

 

And with Chelsea having won at Huddersfield Town on Tuesday, United need the three points against Bournemouth on Wednesday to keep some distance between themselves and the third-placed Blues.

 

MAN UTD INJURIES

 

Phil Jones returned to United's 18-man squad for Sunday's derby but was not called upon, despite Marcos Rojo leaving the field at half-time due to a head injury. The Argentine may well miss out on Wednesday as a result of the knock suffered in his challenge on David Silva, meaning Jones or Victor Lindelof could start in his place.

 

Eric Bailly appeared to be on the verge of a return from a groin injury but has suffered a setback in his recovery and is likely to be out for another six to eight weeks.

 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic returned against City having sat out a couple of fixtures due to complications surrounding his recovery from a serious ACL injury and is likely to again be among the substitutes.

 

Michael Carrick will be given plenty of time to recover following a procedure to deal with an irregular heart rhythm but is not expected to return to play for the time being at least, while there is some hope that Marouane Fellaini might be available again after a knee injury.

 

 

Paul Pogba serves the second game of a three-match suspension following his sending-off against Arsenal for a bad challenge on Hector Bellerin. United will also be wary of Ander Herrera's disciplinary record, as a booking against Bournemouth would rule the Spaniard out of Sunday's trip to West Bromwich Albion and leave Jose Mourinho scrambling for alternatives in midfield. Ashley Young is another who is one yellow card shy of a ban, while the Cherries' Steve Cook would miss the weekend clash with Liverpool if he is booked at Old Trafford.

 

MAN UTD POTENTIAL STARTING LINE-UP

 

Jose Mourinho could make a handful of changes as his team backs up from Sunday's game just three days on, meaning the likes of Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia will be considered for a rest. That could open the door for Matteo Darmian or Luke Shaw.

 

Juan Mata may well be recalled in the attack, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan has only featured for 20 minutes of the past seven matches in all competitions but could return to the 18-man squad. Mourinho will be hoping that Marouane Fellaini is fit for selection given his lack of options in midfield in Paul Pogba's absence.

 

Chris Smalling has started 16 straight games at centre-back so could be a candidate for a night off, but with Marcos Rojo potentially missing out with a head injury it may well be a shoot-out between Phil Jones and Victor Lindelof to start alongside Smalling.