Yoro prepares to battle a familiar face

In the modern game, players are used to learning about opposition players to a granular level of detail, but the Reds defender knows Cherries man Bafode Diakite better than most.

By Transfermarkt's reckoning, the pair turned out 35 times together during their shared time at French club Lille, before swapping Ligue 1 for the Premier League by joining their respective clubs.

In a recent interview with United Review, our official matchday programme, Yoro admitted "it will be funny" to face his former colleague, but it'll be strictly business as usual once the referee's whistle sounds.

"Of course, we still have good relations," Yoro confirmed. "We played together in Lille.

"He's a really top player and also a really good guy.

"So, it will be funny to face him, I'm going to say, but he knows already we cannot give anything to each other. It will be a tough game also.

"It will be good to face him."

Yoro was speaking to United Review, our official matchday programme, available online or in-person at every home game.

After a strong start to the season, the Cherries' form has somewhat slipped off lately.

Andoni Iraola's side will arrive under the Theatre of Dreams floodlights on Monday night in search of their first win since a 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the end of October.

But Yoro and his team-mates will be under no illusion about the threat the south-coast side can pose, so once handshakes are exchanged with the likes of Diakite, game faces will be on.

Bournemouth's visit will be our third Monday-night meeting in four weeks, and while that brings challenges of its own for fans attending the game, an evening clash can bring an enhanced atmosphere that the United centre-back is keen to tap into.

"Yeah, it's good for us also to have these types of games," Yoro confirmed.

"Everyone likes these games and to watch these games.

"Let's do it."