Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe is looking forward to once again locking horns with Jose Mourinho when Manchester United travel to the south coast this weekend.
Saturday's game will be the sixth time the pair will have faced each other in the Premier League, the last of which the Reds won 2-0 in April, thanks to goals from Chris Smalling and Romelu Lukaku.
And speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Howe expressed his admiration for the United manager.
And speaking in his pre-match press conference on Friday, Howe expressed his admiration for the United manager.
“I've had some good exchanges with Jose Mourinho,”he said.
“When I was in my early stages of management, he was someone I looked towards. He has an incredible CV.
“It's early in the season and Manchester United have shown that they've improved in recent games. They come here in good form, but it's a game we're looking forward to,” he added.
Bournemouth are another side in good form. The Cherries have won five of their last six in all competitions and secured their place in the Carabao Cup quarter-final on Tuesday, with a 2-1 win against Norwich City.
In the league, Bournemouth are currently sixth in the table and have lost just two of their opening 10 league matches. Last time out they made light work of Fulham, cruising to a 3-0 victory thanks to a Callum Wilson double and a neat finish from David Brooks.
However, the Cherries’ lofty place in the table has not has not come as a shock for Jose.
Speaking to the media at the Aon Training Complex, the United boss said:
However, the Cherries’ lofty place in the table has not has not come as a shock for Jose.
Speaking to the media at the Aon Training Complex, the United boss said:
“Their story is a story that doesn't surprise me really.
“After the promotion was the season of being a Premier League team, staying as a Premier League team, and then stability.
“Now they want more than stability and they are fighting for these Europa League positions, just below the top four target - that is obviously a very difficult target for anyone.
“But [with some] fantastic work, they have great stability. Same manager, same players basically. Clinical scouting work, clinical decisions about who to buy and when to buy. I think it’s fantastic work and I wouldn't say it's a big surprise.”
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