Bournemouth boss says Bruno Fernandes moment shows why Man United are just like Real Madrid

As Manchester United failed to muster a single attempt on goal during last weeks’ derby with Liverpool – until Bruno Fernandes channelled his inner-David Beckham from the centre circle with 50 minutes on the clock that is – the last thought that went through the heads of any supporter was to liken Erik ten Hag’s ragtag Red Devils with a prime-time Real Madrid.

But Andoni Iraola, having come up against both clubs in England and Spain, is better placed than most to pass judgement.

The Bournemouth boss, who took over at the Vitality Stadium after a fine spell at Rayo Vallecano, welcomes Manchester United to the South Coast on Saturday evening. And that fabulous Bruno Fernandes strike – a moment of genuine world-class quality straight out of the blue – is reminder to Bournemouth that, even during spells in the ascendancy, any mistakes can be ruthlessly punished.

Bournemouth boss wary of Manchester United

“I said this with also in Spain with Real Madrid. Sometimes these kind of teams make you think that you are doing well. You are passing the ball two or three passes, we are kind of comfortable,” Iraola tells the Bournemouth Echo.

“And then you make one mistake and three seconds (later), you are taking the ball from your net because they damage you and they have difference makers.”

Just 17 minutes after Fernandes’ 50-yard stunner, Kobbie Mainoo produced a rather show-stopping finish of his own. The teenager span on the edge of the Liverpool box and opened his Old Trafford account with a pinpoint curler past a grasping Coaimhin Kelleher.

“If we have the chances, we have to damage them. We have to score,” Iraola adds.

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“The other game against Liverpool, where they looked like they were struggling in the first half. Then second-half, 20 minutes in, it’s 1-1 because they make the difference without probably the needs of other teams to be more in control, to be more pushing the opponent.

“No, they can make (the difference) in so many different ways. And this is why they are a big, big team.”

Injuries aplenty

Man United will be without the likes of Luke Shaw, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez tomorrow. Erik ten Hag also admitted, during his Friday press conference, that Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay are facing a race against time to be passed fit.

Bournemouth have a host of first-team absentees themselves. Iraola rules out Tyler Adams, defenders Ryan Fredericks and Chris Mepham, as well as the attacking trio of Luis Sinisterra, Marcus Tavernier and Antoine Semenyo.

Tavernier, always capable of the spectacular, scored a trademark long-range effort against Luton last weekend. Semenyo, meanwhile, is the club’s second highest goalscorer this term with seven in the Premier League.

“I will tell you the ones that are out,” explains Iraola, who was part of that Athletic Bilbao team who stormed past Manchester United in the Europa League in 2012. “Tyler Adams, Chris Mepham, Marcus Tavernier, Ryan Fredericks and Antoine Semenyo, they are out. It is a shame.

“Tav is probably the worst we have right now, because it is a hamstring injury.”

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