Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's late Premier League kickoff as Bournemouth host Manchester United at the Vitality Stadium. Both sides are at opposite ends of the table coming into this match, but the mood amongst the fans of each club could not be much different. That should make for an intriguing contest today as the Cherries bid to stay out of the relegation zone and United go for top spot. Let's start with a look at the two teams...

BOURNEMOUTH STARTING XI: Boruc; Daniels, Cook, Francis, Smith; Ritchie, Surman, Gosling, Arter, Stanislas; King

BOURNEMOUTH SUBS: Federici, Distin, O'Kane, Pugh, Rantie, Kermorgant, Murray

MAN UTD STARTING XI: De Gea; Varela, McNair, Blind, Borthwick-Jackson; Carrick, Fellaini; Lingard, Mata, Memphis; Martial

MAN UTD SUBS: Romero, Jones, Tuanzebe, Young, Schneiderlin, Pereira, Powell

What can we make of those two teams, then? Well, starting with the home side, Eddie Howe has understandably gone with the same side that picked up such a famous victory last time out when they beat Chelsea, resisting the temptation to throw match-winner Glenn Murray in from the start. Murray may feel a little hard done by in that sense, but it is likely that he will get his chance off the bench again if Bournemouth find themselves in need of a goal.

King leads the line as a result, then, and Stanislas is expected to provide his main support once again following a number of encouraging displays in recent weeks. The fit-again Harry Arter has become a fixture in the side since his return from injury, and he will also look to push forward in support of the lone striker. Matt Ritchie is arguably their biggest danger man, though, and he is handed another start today.

Elsewhere in midfield, Andrew Surman starts, with the Bournemouth man having covered more ground than any other player in the Premier League after 15 rounds of fixtures. That is a sign of just how hard the Cherries are working in the top flight, and with that sort of energy and movement today they could well cause United problems given the rather static nature of their two holding players.

Bournemouth's defence is a settled as ever, with Boruc back in the side for last weekend's trip to Chelsea having struggled with a knee injury recently. The problem has still not fully healed, but he plays again today, with Federici, who is also struggling with injury at the moment, only making the bench. Pugh, who has been sidelined with an Achilles problem recently, is another who is on the bench today.

It is no secret that Bournemouth have suffered with injuries this season, but United have been in the same boat and come into this match missing nine senior players. In addition to Bastian Schweinsteiger's suspension, which he starts today, the visitors are also missing Rooney, Smalling, Darmian, Rojo, Shaw, Valencia and Herrera, while neither Jones or Schneiderlin - both of the bench today - are considered fully fit.

Van Gaal's hand has been forced to an extent, then, and nowhere is that more clear than in defence. Blind is the only member of the back four who would make it into the first team usually, with Varela handed his first Premier League start having made his European bow in midweek and, interestingly, Young left on the bench once again despite having played at right-back on numerous occasions in recent seasons. McNair comes in for the injured Smalling in the middle, while Borthwick-Jackson replaces Darmian.

Those are two of three changes made to the side that lost to Wolfsburg in midweek, with the other coming in midfield where Michael Carrick returns in place of the suspended Schweinsteiger. Fellaini continues in the middle of the park with Schneiderlin only deemed fit enough for the bench, while further forward Lingard and Memphis will provided the width in the attack once again.

In the middle of those two will be Juan Mata, who has created 24 chances for United in the Premier League this season - twice as many as any other player has managed for the club. He has certainly been their standout performer so far in terms of attacking talent, although Anthony Martial has shown the odd glimpse. He scored in midweek for his first goal since October, although he hasn't found the back of the net in the Premier League since September.

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That is what Bournemouth have to stop this afternoon, then, and they will feel much more confident of doing so after last week's result against Chelsea. The Cherries are by no means clear of danger just yet, but a victory over the reigning champions is sure to increase the confidence in the team and they should be flying heading in to this match today. It would be surely the greatest week in the club's history if they were to beat Chelsea and Manchester United in the space of seven days.

Indeed, Eddie Howe already proclaimed the 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge as the greatest result in the club's history, and it could prove to be huge for their season too. Glenn Murray got the goal that won it for the Cherries, and although they were forced to ride their luck on a couple of occasions, Artur Boruc was never really seriously tested. Costa was perhaps a little unfortunate not to be awarded a penalty and Murray was just offside for the goal, but Bournemouth got the breaks and picked up a memorable victory.

That was enough to see them climb out of the relegation zone and into 17th place, although they remain level on points with 18th-placed Newcastle, who also picked up a surprise win last weekend. The good news to come from the earlier games is that Sunderland have lost, so the Cherries remain in 17th for the start of this match rather than kicking off in the bottom three. Newcastle, meanwhile, won't be expected to get anything against Tottenham Hotspur tomorrow, so any points today could see the Cherries steal a march on those around them.

If they are to build a cushion between themselves and the bottom three then they need to improve defensively, although Howe has already insisted that he will not waver from his attacking style this season. Bournemouth have the joint-worst defensive record in the Premier League having conceded 30 goals in their 15 outings so far, although on the flip side of that only one team in the bottom 11 have scored more. Indeed, the Cherries' tally of 18 goals is the same as Liverpool have managed.

The victory over Chelsea last weekend came as an even bigger surprise considering Bournemouth's poor form in the weeks preceding the game, although that has shown signs of an upturn in recent weeks. Last Saturday's triumph is their only victory in their last 11 outings in all competitions, excluding penalties, while they have won just one of their last nine in the Premier League.

They are, however, unbeaten in three games now, which makes this their longest spell without defeat ever in the top flight. They have also never managed back-to-back wins in the Premier League, and to do so against Chelsea and Manchester United would make that feat even more historic. Granted, this is their first ever season in the top flight, but it is a sign that things are perhaps beginning to move in the right direction for the Cherries.

They do need to improve at home if they are to continue this small run of consistency, however. Only Aston Villa have amassed fewer points in front of their own fans so far this season, with Bournemouth having managed just one win at the Vitality Stadium so far. That solitary victory came against struggling Sunderland too, and they have drawn two and lost two since that September meeting. The home fans would love to see their side take a major scalp on home soil.

Whether or not that happens today could well depend on which United side turns up. The Red Devils will be licking their wounds having been dumped out of the Champions League at the hands of Wolfsburg on Tuesday, and serious questions have been raised over Louis van Gaal since their failure to qualify from what was a fairly straightforward group. United actually put in one of their better attacking performances in that game, but a 3-2 defeat was not enough.

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Despite the devastating nature of the result, for once it was actually an enjoyable United game to watch. Fans have been calling for a return to the exciting style often seen under Alex Ferguson - despite Van Gaal's suggestions that the current crop should not be held to those same high standards - and against Wolfsburg they showcased a lot more intent than in many of their games. The problem, of course, was that they didn't win, while in the majority of their more boring matches this season they have managed to pick up points.

That effective, rather than exciting, nature of the United performances has put them in a fairly good position domestically, despite all the criticism that has come their way. A victory tonight would take them joint top of the table following Man City's dramatic late win earlier, with Arsenal not in action until tomorrow and Leicester playing on Monday night. They have perhaps benefitted from no side taking the title race by the horns so far, but as long as they stay in and around that leading pack, their dreams of winning the title will live on.

While it might not thrill the fans, United do certainly deserve credit for their defensive performances this season. They have shipped just 10 goals in 15 matches so far, the lowest tally in the league, while their nine clean sheets is also a league high and just two short of last season's total. That made their 3-2 loss to Wolfsburg all the more surprising, with United having let in the same amount of goals that night as in the previous 11 games combined.

On the flip side, no team has scored fewer than United in the top seven of the table, and they come into this match winless in their last four outings in all competitions - they have not gone five without a victory since 2007. The Wolfsburg defeat was their first since a 3-0 loss to Arsenal at the start of October, however, and their unbeaten league record now stretches to seven games.

The most recent of those seven games came against West Ham last Saturday, when United had 21 shots but only one on target in a 0-0 draw. It was United's fifth goalless draw in their last 10 games in all competitions and their eighth of 2015 - the most they have had in a calendar year since 2005. It could have been worse for the Red Devils too as West Ham hit the post twice, although it was United who were pushing hardest for the winner late on.

Van Gaal's side have only won one of their last five away games in all competitions and five of 12 all season, but after 15 games only Leicester and Arsenal had picked up more points on the road in the Premier League. A concern for the visitors today might be their European exploits in midweek, however, as United have won just two of their seven league games following a Champions League match this season.

PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes from kickoff at Dean Court, which means that it is time for a prediction! Bournemouth will be flying high after that Chelsea win, but surely it is too much to ask for them to topple United as well. This is as good a time as ever to try, particularly considering United's injury list, but I can see the Red Devils coming out on top here. I'll go for a 1-0 away win.

Find out what we had to say about this match in the Sports Mole Premier League podcast below:

This is actually the first ever league meeting between these two sides, with all previous eight clashes coming in cup competitions. The last of those was 26 years ago in an FA Cup fifth round replay, which United won 1-0.

In all, Bournemouth have won just one of those eight meetings, with that famous result also coming in the FA Cup in 1984, when the Cherries ran out 2-0 victors. They have also managed two draws, which they would probably take today, and been beaten on five occasions. They have never met on as even a footing as they do today, though.

Right, we're just about ready to get going on the South Coast as Bournemouth welcome the giants of Manchester United to Dean Court. Can they make it a famous double?

KICKOFF: Manchester United get us underway here at Dean Court looking to move joint top of the Premier League table.

Oh my word, what a start for Bournemouth and it comes in the most spectacular of circumstances. Having seen an early free kick cleared behind for a corner, Stanislas whips the resulting delivery in and it flies straight into the top corner! De Gea could not reach it, nor could Martial on the line, and Dean Court is rocking!

This match has started at an incredible tempo, and the fans have been further buoyed by that incredible early goal. What does this threadbare United side have in response?

CHANCES! United really should be level already, but Boruc pulls off an outstanding double save to keep his side ahead! The ball drops rather fortuitously for Fellaini in the box and he lashes a volley towards goal from close range, but Boruc makes himself big and produces a truly stunning save. The ball bounces back out to McNair, whose header is just tipped wide by the keeper.

What a start this has been. Bournemouth hung on by the skin of their teeth there thanks to a world-class double save from Boruc, but United have responded well to going behind and they are on top now.

This has been one-way traffic since that opening goal, but Bournemouth are certainly up for the fight here. They could not have dreamed of such a good start to this match, but there is still a long, long way to go.

There is a lot more urgency about United than we are used to seeing, and that may be to do with the fact that they are getting caught up in the atmosphere here. They aren't playing their usual game, which is making for a more entertaining spectacle.

Stanislas has another chance to test De Gea from a set piece as Blind gives away a free kick in shooting range. He again tries to get loft on it, but this time it goes well over the bar.

Eddie Howe will be very happy with his side's start to this game. They have been on the back foot for much of it, but they also look dangerous when coming forward and every player is looking to get about the United players, making it very difficult for the visitors.

CHANCE! Big chance for United to level things up as Stanislas gifts the ball straight to Martial in a very dangerous position. The defenders are quick to react and close the United striker down, but he should still do better than dragging his effort a few yards wide of the post.

Some of the defending from Bournemouth is a little desperate, but it is working at the moment. The latest example sees Memphis do well to dig out a cross towards the back post, only for the ball to be nodded away just as Lingard was lining up a volley.

CHANCE! Big chance for Bournemouth to double their lead! The ball is played through for Stanislas, who has a stroke of luck to take it in his stride but then suddenly finds himself clean through on goal. He carries it all the way into the area and tries to round De Gea, but the United keeper gets down well to dispossess him.

United have the equaliser! It is a scrappy one, but they will certainly take it. A ball over the defence finds Memphis, who takes it down on his chest brilliantly before seeing his effort saved by Boruc. The keeper is again up quickly as the ball falls to Fellaini, but he pokes it under Boruc and then just about manages to stab it home despite being on his knees. Game on now.

There was an air of inevitability over that equaliser in truth. This has been a frantic match so far, and I would be very surprised if we had seen the last of the goals if things carry on like they are.

SAVE! Stanislas has been Bournemouth's most dangerous player so far today and he draws another save from De Gea, although this one is a comfortable one for the keeper as he gets down low to his right to make the stop.

Half a chance for Bournemouth to get in behind as King is slipped through down the left channel, but this time his first touch lets him down and the ball dribbles out for a goal kick.

MANCHESTER UNITED SUB: Yet another injury for United to deal with here as Lingard is forced off to be replaced by Andreas Pereira.

Good spell of possession for United as they look to calm things down a little after what has been a frenetic opening half an hour. They will do well to quieten the crowd down, though.

This is the moment that the ball looped over the despairing dive of David de Gea and in direct from Junior Stanislas's corner.

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Eddie Howe has clearly told his players to mix it up with the more inexperienced of the United starting lineup tonight, and it is working. Whether they can keep this work rate up for the entire 90 minutes remains to be seen.

It must be said that United are looking a lot more vulnerable at the back without Smalling. His pace usually gets United out of some sticky situations, but they don't have that today and King is taking advantage with some decent runs behind the defence.

Brilliant play from Martial as he somehow keeps hold of the ball on his way into the box despite being surrounding by about six Bournemouth defenders, before eventually being dispossessed.

YELLOW CARD! Pereira becomes the first man in the book tonight, and he is a little fortunate that it is only a yellow. He went flying in on Stanislas, who fortunately for the United sub didn't make anything of it.

SAVE! De Gea is called into action again here as King cuts inside from the right before teeing up Ritchie, who strikes his effort sweetly but straight at the United keeper, who makes the save.

Concern for Cook here as he goes down and requires treatment, but it is nothing too serious and the Bournemouth defender will be fine to continue.

There will be two minutes of added time at the end of this first half.

Half a chance for Bournemouth again as McNair gives the ball away inside his own half and King picks it up. He floats a cross towards the edge of the area, but Ritchie gets his header all wrong and it goes well wide.

A frantic first half comes to an end at Dean Court, and we're all square at the break between Bournemouth and Manchester United. Both sides have threatened to add to the scores in a high-tempo game, but at the halfways stage the goals have been evenly shared.

The match started in incredible fashion as Bournemouth took the lead after just two minutes direct from a corner. Stanislas was the man to score it, whipping a delivery into a dangerous area, and the curl on it took it all the way into the top corner. Neither De Gea or Martial could prevent it from soaring over their heads as the hosts made a perfect start to the match.

United responded and eventually levelled things up in the 25th minute with another unorthodox goal. Boruc had denied Memphis with a good stop before looking to collect the loose ball, only for Fellaini to get there first. The Belgian's first touch took the ball underneath Boruc, and he then did very well to poke it over the line while on his knees.

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Bournemouth had Boruc to thank for still being ahead at that stage anyway after the keeper had made an incredible double save just minutes after Bournemouth took the lead. He first denied a powerful Fellaini volley from point-blank range before getting up in time to tip McNair's rebound just past the post, which only served to crank up the volume inside Dean Court even further.

Stanislas has been Bournemouth's most dangerous player so far, testing De Gea with a low drive just before half time and also being denied by the keeper when trying to take it round him when one on one. United, meanwhile, have also seen Martial squander a good chance.

KICKOFF: Bournemouth get us back underway for the second half at Dean Court looking to pick up another famous result.

A problem for Bournemouth as Stanislas goes to ground while the ball was out of play waiting for a throw-in to be taken. It looks to be a foot or ankle injury, although it's not clear at the moment just where he picked that up.

United have sent a lot of high balls forward today, which is usually a by-product of Fellaini playing but also a move away from the criticism they have faced this season that they do too many sideways and backwards passes. It's not exactly the total football United fans are craving, but it is at least asking a few questions of the Bournemouth defence.

Memphis now seems to be struggling with an ankle problem, not moving freely at all. The last thing United need here is another injury.

A cross from the right almost provides a shooting chance for United, but Martial just gets a touch on the way through and that takes the ball away from Fellaini.

CHANCE! What a goal this would have been! Francis carries the ball out from defence and takes it past a number of white shirts with far too much ease. He makes it all the way into the area before seeing his shot from a tight angle turned behind by De Gea.

Bournemouth regain the lead, and again it comes from a set piece! This one is rather more planned than Stanislas's opener as Ritchie plays a low ball into the box from a corner that King meets with a clean strike to put it home. That was far too easy, and Van Gaal will be fuming with the defending.

Bournemouth immediately go in search of a third, and King is full of confidence now. He cuts back on himself to escape the attentions of a defending, before floating a cross up and just past the far post.

CHANCE! Big chance for United to level things up once again at the other end! Cook makes a mess of an attempted clearance and the ball drops straight to Fellaini, but Boruc is equal to the Belgian's effort.

Brilliant defending from Bournemouth as both Arter and Francis throw themselves in the way of a Fellaini effort after the ball had once again broken to him. It was nice football from United in the build-up, but Bournemouth are defending desperately here.

CHANCE! Fellaini must have a magnet in his boots for the loose ball in the area tonight. Yet another one falls to him inside the box, but this time he can't strike it cleanly and his shot is again blocked.

CHANCE! Bournemouth have a chance on the break at the other end as Smith races down the right before delivering a fine cross into the middle. King is ahead of his marker, but can't make sufficient contact as the ball runs through to safety.

King is looking dangerous almost every time he comes forward at the moment. It is clear to see that this United defence lacks experience and King is taking full advantage of that whenever he can.

BOURNEMOUTH SUB: Just as I say that, King pulls up with what looks like a hamstring injury and is forced off. On comes Glenn Murray in his place.

Time is ticking away for United, who have just over 20 minutes remaining to try to turn things around here. Remember, a victory would take them joint top of the Premier League, while anything else would see them lose ground on Manchester City, and potentially Arsenal and Leicester too.

Borthwick-Jackson is very fortunate to get away without a yellow card here as he gives the ball away to Smith before cynically tripping the Bournemouth man to stop the counter-attack.

CHANCE! Oh what a chance for Bournemouth to wrap this game up! The United defence completely opens up for Murray, who receives the pass and takes it past one white shirt to leave him with only De Gea to beat. He simply has to score, but instead blazes his effort well over the crossbar. How costly could that miss prove to be?

CHANCE! Yet another chance for Murray, but again he blazes it over! This one is not quite as easy as a corner arrives to him inside the box following some more questionable defending from the visitors, but Murray should still probably score. Once again, though, he leans back and puts it over the top.

MAN UTD SUB: This is a bit of a surprise - Fellaini's number is up with just over 15 minutes remaining as he is replaced by Nick Powell. Fellaini is usually the man Van Gaals calls upon at this stage of a game, but it is the opposite this time around.

It is backs-to-the-wall time for Bournemouth right now, and I suspect that might be the case for the majority of these closing stages. United are camped inside the Bournemouth half, but the hosts are defending heroically.

CHANCE! Lovely play from Martial to take the ball into the box and dance away from one defender with some fine footwork, but his finish is poor as he puts it over the crossbar.

Just over 10 minutes left for Bournemouth to hold out here. They have shown such spirit and hunger in this match so far and, while they have been indebted to Boruc for a few fine saves, they are certainly deserving of at least a point from this one.

SHOT! Arter looks to put the game beyond doubt with a long-range effort, but his powerful strike is always swerving away from goal and ends up a few yards wide of the target.

Time is really starting to run out for United now, and in truth they don't particularly look like scoring at the moment. Bournemouth are just eight minutes away from one of the biggest results in their history, just a week removed from beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Borthwick-Jackson competes from two consecutive high balls, both of which leave his opponent in a heap on the floor. After a small stoppage, play continues and both players will be fine to carry on too.

BOURNEMOUTH SUB: Arter, who was booked moments ago for a word out of place, is replaced by Eunan O'Kane for the closing stages of this match.

Bournemouth have done a very good job of seeing this game out so far. They have time-wasted like seasoned pros and managed the game well when they have got the ball, and United don't seem to have an answer to that.

There will be FIVE minutes of added time at the end of this match.

MAN UTD SUB: How is this for a final throw of the dice? Off comes McNair and on comes Phil Jones, himself surely not fully fit having been pretty much riled out of this game by Van Gaal. This really is a threadbare squad at the moment.

The atmosphere inside Dean Court is incredible at the moment as the clock keeps on ticking down. What a moment this will be for the club - they have just two more minutes to hang on!

Incredible scenes at Dean Court as Bournemouth make it a famous double over Chelsea and Manchester United with a 2-1 victory over the Red Devils that takes them three points clear of the relegation zone. What a week in the history of the Cherries, but by contrast what a torrid week it has been for Manchester United - knocked out of the Champions League on Tuesday night and now beaten at Bournemouth. What next for Louis van Gaal?

Bournemouth took the lead in unlikely fashion after just two minutes when a corner from Junior Stanislas swung directly in over the head of De Gea, but Fellaini levelled things up midway through the first half with a scrappy finish. The winner came from former United player Josh King, though, as he latched on to Ritchie's low corner to fire home.

That is all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for what another historic day for Bournemouth as they beat Manchester United 2-1 to distance themselves from the relegation zone. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, analysis and player ratings. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!