Manchester United host AFC Bournemouth at Old Trafford, Manchester in Gameweek 8 on Sun 25 Oct, 14:00 GMT. Manchester United are 13th on 7 points from 7 games (form DLDDD), AFC Bournemouth are 15th on 6 (form DDLLW). The FPL deadline is Friday 23 October 2026, 18:30 BST, so check team news before you lock your squad.
Manchester United: the story so far
Manchester United have scored 10 and conceded 10 in 7 league games, and last time out it was D 1–1 at Leeds United in GW7. At home they have 4 points from 3 games. Official FPL list, 2026-10-21: Shaw (unspecified injury: Unknown return date); Mainoo (unspecified injury: Expected back 8 Nov); Martinez (thigh injury: 75% chance of playing); Rashford (hip injury: 75% chance of playing); Šeško (shin injury: Expected back 31 Oct). Expected shape: 4-5-1.
Manchester United Predicted Starting XI & Lineup · 4-5-1
Official lineups confirmed 1 hour before kick-off.
AFC Bournemouth: form check
AFC Bournemouth have scored 9 and conceded 13 in 7 league games, and last time out it was W 2–0 v Sunderland in GW7. Away from home they have 1 points from 3 games. Official FPL list, 2026-10-21: Scott (thigh injury: Unknown return date). Expected shape: 4-5-1.
2026/27 so far
- Manchester United: D 1–1 at Fulham, D 1–1 v Tottenham Hotspur, D 1–1 at Leeds United.
- AFC Bournemouth: L 0–1 v Liverpool, L 1–5 at Chelsea, W 2–0 v Sunderland.
- Table before this round: Manchester United 13th (7 pts, GD +0), AFC Bournemouth 15th (6 pts, GD -4).
Where it turns
Bryan Mbeumo against AFC Bournemouth's defence is the matchup to watch: AFC Bournemouth have conceded 13 in 7. In the other direction, Marcus Tavernier faces the Manchester United defence that has conceded 10 in 7. FPL rates this fixture 3/5 for Manchester United and 4/5 for AFC Bournemouth, where 5 is hardest.
Fantasy angle
- Bryan Mbeumo (Manchester United, £7.8m): averaging 5.9 points a game (41 in total), FPL projects 8.0 for this round, 20.4% owned.
- Marcus Tavernier (AFC Bournemouth, £6.2m): averaging 6.0 points a game (42 in total), FPL projects 5.5 for this round, 9.3% owned.
- Francisco Evanilson (AFC Bournemouth, £6.1m): averaging 5.3 points a game (37 in total), FPL projects 9.5 for this round, 4.5% owned.
- Clean-sheet angle: Senne Lammens (Manchester United, £4.9m) at home, with Manchester United the side our model rates less likely to concede (1.2 expected goals against).
- Differential: Youri Tielemans (Manchester United, £5.7m) is owned by just 1.4% and averages 3.4 points a game.
Verdict
Our model, built on 2026/27 goals scored and conceded, gives Manchester United a 53% win chance, a draw 22% and AFC Bournemouth 24%, with 1–1 the single most likely scoreline. Expected goals: 1.9 for Manchester United, 1.2 for AFC Bournemouth. Manchester United are the lean on the numbers, but only 7 games have been played, so treat it as a guide rather than a certainty.