As well as taking part in a Premier League epic with a 4-4 draw at Manchester United on December 15, Andoni Iraola ensured he is unbeaten in any of his five meetings with the Red Devils as Bournemouth head coach and perhaps hastened the departure of former United boss Ruben Amorim.
Interim United head coach Michael Carrick now has the task of damaging Iraola’s record of two wins and three draws in the fixture, but Bournemouth will take confidence from a 10-game league run that is the longest current unbeaten sequence in the top flight.
Iraola, who captained Athletic Club to home and away victories against a United team containing Carrick in the 2011/12 Europa League last 16, says his counterpart’s results since being appointed have been “remarkable”.
“I don’t know him personally but I like how he speaks, behaves and makes everything about the team,” added Iraola, crediting Carrick with strengthening United’s solidity.
“They are doing well and everything looks fantastic. We have the problem that we have to face them. We have to find some weaknesses, if they have them. I’m really happy he is doing so well.”
Carrick was involved in four wins and a defeat against Bournemouth during his time as a coaching staff member at United, as well as playing in a win, draw and defeat as a player for his club.
“We’ll be in for a game,” Carrick told United’s website. “I’ve always had a tough time there. I expect a really tight game.”
The international break and FA Cup fixtures mean United will have a 24-day break between the contest and their home match against Leeds United on April 13.
“We’ll be in good spirits and good shape and hungry for more,” Carrick said, referencing his side’s 3-1 home win over Aston Villa on Sunday. “It would be nice to keep the momentum and the feeling.”
Victory would move Bournemouth into a potential European qualification position of eighth. United start the game three points above fourth-placed Aston Villa and seven behind second-placed Manchester City.
Bournemouth v Man United team news
Forward Justin Kluivert (knee), midfielder Lewis Cook (hamstring) and defender Julio Soler (muscle) are sidelined for Bournemouth.
Tyler Adams remains absent with a knock that kept the midfielder out of the 0-0 draw at Burnley on Saturday. Forward Evanilson is a doubt with a dead leg.
Defenders Lisandro Martínez (calf), Matthijs de Ligt (back) and Patrick Dorgu (hamstring) are out for United.
Wideman Noussair Mazraoui is a doubt through illness and injury-troubled midfielder Mason Mount could feature from the bench, having been an unused substitute against Villa.
