Bournemouth sit two places ahead of Jose Mourinho's side ahead of their clash on Saturday, and the captain says his side may even be favourites
Bournemouth captain Simon Francis claims his side do not fear Manchester United in the same way they may have done in the past.
The two sides are set to go head to head at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday.
The Cherries are three points ahead of United in the Premier League table, having only been beaten twice so far this season.
Jose Mourinho’s side have endured a tough start to the campaign and currently sit in eighth position, having clocked up 17 points so far.
Their form has improved in recent weeks, but Francis says his side do not fear teams like United in the same way that they used to.
“There is certainly no fear factor. The form book would say we might be favourites going into the game,” Francis insisted.
“I don’t think we see it as a free hit anymore, these kinds of games, because we believe we can beat them.
“With the points we have accumulated so far even if we lose to Man United, people might think, it’s OK they have had a good start to the season, but we don’t see it like that.
“Even in our first season when we played the big teams nobody would back us to get any points, but this is our fourth season and we have come a long way.
“These games are the ones we can grab by the scruff of the neck and take to Man United. The lads will be raring to go, are looking forward to every Premier League game and why not? We are on good form.
“We will be at it from the start, pressing high and trying to win the ball back to give the fans something to get excited about.”
Eddie Howe’s side boast one of the most impressive defensive records in the Premier League this season, with four clean sheets to their name.
One player that they’re likely to come up against at some point on Saturday is United striker Romelu Lukaku, who has been out of form in recent weeks.
The Belgium star was dropped to the bench in the Red Devils’ win against Everton last weekend, but Francis says his side won’t be underestimating the capabilitiesof the 25-year-old on Saturday.
“I am sure he will be champing at the bit to play. He has been a bit out of form, but you cannot underestimate these players or these teams.”
gamemasterutd
190
frankly speaking, no team fears man utd anymore, the pl domanance is over for united after sir Alex retired, even though folks don't fear utd you can never write off Mourinho, Chelsea fans were extremely positive that they can destroy utd at the bridge but then.everyone knows what happened. i think utd will win on Saturday which will boost the players confidence further for the juve match. fear or not man utd can never be written off in a match.
Emmanuel1651
168
Bournemouth are doing well this season, But Mr Captain, Simon Francis, I want you to know that Manchester United are not the kind of Club you can talk about like that, Yes I agree that Manchester United are going through a lot now, But I always Say this to football fans, You don't look down on a Club just because they are going through some tough time, Chelsea are Doing wonderful, the day Chelsea played Manchester United, Chelsea was playing at home, Every Football fans were Saying Chelsea will finish Manchester United, even some Manchester United fans that we live together, I told them and also say it here on All Football, that Chelsea can never Win that Match, They said am Drunk, that I don't know football. I used it to Bet, So everybody go for Chelsea, but at the end, it was Chelsea that was even Begging for A draw. so, as a good Footballer, that must At least Show you a good example, not Coming out to say you are not afraid of Manchester United. He better be afraid of Manchester United Now, because at the end of the match tomorrow, he be saying is, "We played a good Match, We lost focus in the First half, and we were Punish for it. but in the second half, we played very well, But The Goals did not come" I don't want to hear that tomorrow From the Captain of Bournemouth.
U.S.A1616312
133
I expect Man U to win. It is not going to be easy but they are not going to lose for a while. The secret is if one player puts all his effort out there, the rest will follow. And they can start to flow. They need to synchronize their game more. The defense needs to be deliberate and more calculated. They all need to pay more attention to where the ball is going especially when on defense. They kill me every time they go on defense.
Hecbiprsy
102
as united team we have to work together and win this match I have full confidence that we will this match as long as we put much more effort and concentrate to the match,,,,,,all united fans let's support our lovely players,,,,,,,,,, much more love for man united