Update: This match was abandoned on Sunday due to a suspicious device being found. The device was found to be a fake, left behind from a training exercise. The game was rescheduled for Tuesday. Manchester United can no longer qualify for the Champions League, as Manchester City won on Sunday.
Manchester United vs. Bournemouth 2016 live stream: Start time, TV schedule and how to watch online
It will take some help, but there’s still a chance that Manchester United can end up in the Champions League places in the EPL.
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The end of the Premier League season is here, and while the title was decided several matches ago, there are still some things left to play for. Manchester United need a win over AFC Bournemouth and some help elsewhere in the league, but there’s a chance that they can finish the season in fourth place. It’s a small chance, to be sure, but it’s a chance all the same.
That puts all the pressure in this match on United, because Bournemouth come into Old Trafford with nothing weighing them down. They’ve already secured their place in the EPL for next season, which automatically makes their first season after promotion a successful one, even if it wasn’t exactly inspiring. They’re even a fairly healthy team for pretty much the first time all season, so don’t be surprised if they go out looking to play freely and have some fun in the last match of their season.
What’s at stake
Bournemouth have nothing on the line, having already secured EPL safety a while ago. They could shoot up a few spots in the table with a win and some friendly results elsewhere, but the most important thing is that there is zero chance they play in the Championship again next season. They can, however, play spoiler, and that might just be enough to inspire them to a great performance.
That potential spoiler role comes about because if Manchester United win, and if Manchester City lose to Swansea, United would finish in fourth place, passing their local rival and earning themselves a place in the Champions League qualifying rounds. That would be a nice turnaround from their run of mediocrity in the second half of the season, and getting that spot by stealing it from a rival would be sweet indeed.
Manchester United injuries and suspensions
Out: Bastian Schweinsteiger, Adnan Januzaj, Matteo Darmian, Ashley Young, Will Keane, Luke Shaw
AFC Bournemouth injuries and suspensions
Out: Sylvain Distin, Adam Smith, Tyrone Mings
Match Date/Time: Tuesday, 3 p.m. ET, 8 p.m. local
Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester, England
TV: NBCSN (U.S. - English), NBC Universo (U.S. - Spanish), TSN4 (Canada), Sky Sports 1/HD (U.K.)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S.), Sky Go (U.K.)
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