Michael Carrick warns Manchester United of 'tough' test against resolute Bournemouth ahead
Managerial duo Andoni Iraola and Michael Carrick have clashed over the Premier League's hierarchy, with Irraola claiming his side is currently "best" while United look to maintain their challenge for a Champions League place.
Key Points
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1Michael Carrick warns Manchester United of the 'tough' test posed by resolute Bournemouth ahead of Friday's match.
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2Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola claims his team is facing a challenge against what he considers to be the best Premier League side currently available.
Developments
Perspectives
Michael Carrick is refusing to get carried over Manchester United's chances of qualifying for the Premier League top four, warning his side that they face an awkward encounter away at Bournemouth.
— [Mar 20, 19:51] Michael Carrick gives Champions League verdict ahead of Man United vs Bournemouth (Manchestereveningnews.co.uk)"Michael Carrick has told Manchester United to ready themselves for a tough test against resolute Bournemouth as they look to maintain their challenge in the Premier League."
— [Mar 20, 16:38] Andoni Iraola makes 'best in the Premier League' claim about Man Utd ahead of clash (Metro.co.uk)"Michael Carrick has told his Manchester United side to ready themselves for an awkward encounter away at Bournemouth on Friday as they look to maintain their challenge for a Champions League place."
— [Mar 20, 16:38] Andoni Iraola makes 'best in the Premier League' claim about Man Utd ahead of clash (Metro.co.uk)"Michael Carrick has told his Manchester United side to ready themselves for an awkward encounter away at Bournemouth on Friday as they look to maintain their challenge for a Champions League place."
— [Mar 20, 16:38] Andoni Iraola makes 'best in the Premier League' claim about Man Utd ahead of clash (Metro.co.uk)Interim Manchester United manager Michael Carrack insists his team should focus solely on securing a top-four Premier League finish rather than qualifying for Champions Leagues, despite their current third-place standing ahead of Bournemouth. The Reds face the opposition without key defenders Patrick Dorgu and Lisandro Martinez due to injury while starting an unchanged lineup that includes Benjamin Sesko as scorer against Villa in his previous match this season
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has warned his team that an upcoming Champions League challenge is threatened by a difficult trip to Bournemouth in their 10th-place fixture on Friday. Despite recovering from early losses under caretaker management, Red Devils are currently third and face the Cherries after they have won just two of seven recent away matches while remaining unbeaten against United this season.
Andoni Iraola believes Manchester United have improved their defensive solidity since Michael Carrick took charge and considers them currently to be one of or perhaps "the best" team in the Premier League ahead of Bournemouth's match. Under Carrick, who has won seven games including two against top-six sides like Man City and Arsenal, United sit third on 54 points with a strong chance for next season's Champions League spot.