AFC Bournemouth manager says his team will embrace the challenge the Red Devils pose on Sunday
AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe says his side will not be intimidated when Manchester United visit the Vitalty Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
New Man Utd manager Jose Mourinho
has added Paul Pogba – who is suspended for this match, Zlatan
Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Eric Bailly to a squad packed with
international talent as the Red Devils aim for their 14th Premier League title this season.
But AFC Bournemouth won this fixture 2-1 last season and, while Howe
says it will be a special occasion, he is confident his team will
embrace the challenge.
“Manchester United coming to Bournemouth is fantastic for us,” Howe told afcb.co.uk.
Ibrahimovic is set for his Premier League debut at AFC Bournemouth
“I certainly don’t - and I know that the club do not - take
that for granted. We are privileged to play in the Premier League and
host everyone in the league, but this will be a special one to start.
“That said, we are not going to be overawed by anything, just as we
weren’t last season. The challenge from the players’ perspective is to
respond to it all with a positive not negative attitude.”
Former Paris Saint Germain striker Ibrahimovic is set for his Premier
League debut at the age of 34, and Howe said: “Ibrahimovic is a real
talent.
“It’s great to see him here in the Premier League but we won’t be in awe of him, we’ll be trying to keep him quiet.”