Preview: United v Bournemouth
Manchester United’s second game of the Premier League Summer Series sees us take on Bournemouth in Chicago.
The competition, held across three states in the US, features fixtures against the Cherries, Everton and West Ham United, to battle it out for the pre-season trophy.
Our meeting with Andoni Iraola’s side is due to take place at Soldier Field at 02:30 BST on Thursday 31 July.
Here, we’ve got all the details you need to follow the action…
HOW TO WATCH AND FOLLOW
For all our Summer Series games, including the Bournemouth match, we’ll be bringing subscribers the action live on MUTV via our dedicated TV channel, on ManUtd.com and through the United App, except for fans in the US due to rights issues.
You can subscribe to MUTV here for just £7.99 a month, or save money with our £29.99 annual plan, giving you 24/7 access to our entire catalogue of content, as well as the live pre-season games.
We'll be on the ground to bring you exclusive updates, reaction and analysis throughout pre-season.
Sign up now so you don't miss a second!
OPPOSITION WATCH
Bournemouth experienced a positive 2024/25 campaign under Iraola, finishing ninth, their highest position for eight years, when Eddie Howe achieved the same in the 2016/17 season.
They inflicted a damaging 3-0 defeat on the Reds at Old Trafford in December, with Dean Huijsen, Justin Kluivert and Antoine Semenyo getting their names on the scoresheet.
The latter of that trio looked to have sealed another win for the Cherries in the return clash in April, before Rasmus Hojlund stepped in with a stoppage-time leveller to rescue a point.
It was an important contribution from the Dane, but there will be scores to settle in Chicago.
Hojlund’s late, late goal
EQUALISER | See how Rasmus Hojlund secured a deserved point with a late, late finish…
TRANSFER BUSINESS SO FAR
One of the most exciting parts about pre-season is catching a first glimpse of a club's latest recruit turning out for their new side.
For the Cherries, all eyes will be on Adrien Truffert, a left-back signed from Ligue 1 outfit Rennes, who could be selected by Iraola to face United.
Perhaps even more pressing for the south-coast side is how they'll cope without one of their departed players, Huijsen, who played a key role in the side's defence last season but has since transferred to Real Madrid. Kepa Arrizabalaga has also moved on, joining Arsenal from Chelsea after his season-long loan at the Vitality Stadium. Milos Kerkez is reportedly on the brink of signing for Liverpool.
For the Reds, we'll be eagerly anticipating another glimpse of Matheus Cunha in a red shirt, having signed the Brazilian from Wolverhampton Wanderers early in the window.
When we will wear new home kit for first time
ArticleWe can exclusively reveal which game will mark our red shirt's first-team debut airing.
THE VENUE
Having opened our Summer Series campaign at the MetLife Stadium earlier in July, we'll head to Chicago's Solider Field for this clash against the Cherries.
It's our first visit to the venue, and indeed Chicago itself, for almost exactly a decade, when the Reds met Paris Saint-Germain on the same pitch in 2015, succumbing to a 2-0 defeat after conceding goals to Blaise Matuidi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in front of a 61,000-strong crowd.
The stadium is home to NFL side Chicago Bears and MLS outfit Chicago Fire, but has played host to numerous sports throughout its history.
How does the Summer Series work?
ArticleDiscover details about the Premier League's tournament in the United States.
HOW THE PREMIER LEAGUE SUMMER SERIES WORKS
Bournemouth are the second of three opponents we'll face in the Premier League Summer Series, bookended by games against West Ham and Everton.
The four sides will travel together to each of the three venues with two games happening on the same day, in the same stadium.
As with the regular Premier League, each side will be awarded three points for a win, one point for a draw and nothing for a loss.
At the end of the three games the team with the highest points will win the series. If two or more sides have the same points, they'll be separated first by goal difference, then by goals scored and, finally, on a head-to-head basis. There will be no extra-time or penalty shootouts in any of the matches.