Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the match in the Premier League between Manchester United and Bournemouth.

Many believe that Chelsea will win the Premier League title in relatively comfortable fashion but that's not to say that the race for a top-four spot will be anything other than exciting. At one stage, United were considered to be long-shots to achieve one of the Champions League positions but a win this afternoon will see them move into those places. The rest of their rivals will still have to play but if, as expected, they see off Bournemouth, it will heap the pressure on the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool, who play later today.

As for Bournemouth, they head into this contest having lost their last four league matches and without a clean sheet in 2017. They have also conceded at least two goals in each of their eight matches in all competitions - not exactly the form you need to be in ahead of a trip to Old Trafford, is it? Eddie Howe and his players could possibly see this as a "nothing to lose" game but with the club having become involved in a relegation fight, they need to bring a halt to their losing streak sooner rather than later.

Anyway, without further ado, let's crack on with the team news with is emanating from the North-West. The United starting lineup features the return of a popular figure...

MANCHESTER UNITED XI: De Gea, Valencia, Jones, Rojo, Shaw, Carrick, Pogba, Mata, Rooney, Martial, Ibrahimovic

MANCHESTER UNITED SUBSTITUTES: Romero, Blind, Smalling, Fellaini, Herrera, Lingard, Rashford

BOURNEMOUTH XI: Boruc, A.Smith, Cook, Mings, Daniels, Surman, Arter, Fraser, Pugh, King, Afobe

BOURNEMOUTH SUBSTITUTES: Allsop, Cargill, B.Smith, Gosling, Ibe, Wilshere, Gradel

Let's start with the United side because Mourinho has made alterations to his side which you probably didn't expect. The big surprise is the return of Wayne Rooney, who makes his first appearance in over a month, as does Luke Shaw at left-back. Phil Jones returns in the centre of defence alongside Marcos Rojo, with Chris Smalling only on the bench and Eric Bailly not involved. Michael Carrick partners Paul Pogba in midfield, with Ander Herrera another player who is rested.

As for Bournemouth, they make just the one change from the defeat at West Bromwich Albion but it's quite a significant one. Jack Wilshere - their most experienced player in terms of high-profile matches - drops to the bench to be replaced by Benik Afobe, who comes in for just his sixth Premier League start of the season. Jordon Ibe features on the bench and could be an option if the game is stretched in the second half.

You may or may not be aware that Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe has been suffering from a sickness bug overnight. He was initially advised to stay away from Old Trafford, but he has now been told that he can take charge of the team with the condition that he arrives as late to the ground as possible. It remains to be seen whether he will be in the dugout or in the stands, but don't expect him to be stalking the touchline!

HEAD TO HEAD! Today's match represents just the 12th time in which these two teams have faced each other in a competitive contest, with United claiming seven victories in comparison to just the two for Bournemouth. United have prevailed by 3-1 scorelines in the last two matches, but Bournemouth did triumph 2-1 when the sides met on the south coast in December 2015.

As we've just mentioned, the last meeting between the sides ended in a 3-1 win for United but on the opening day of the season, they didn't have it all their own way. It took three goals over a 24-minute period to put paid to Bournemouth's hopes on that afternoon but Bournemouth did enough to suggest that on their best day, they can at least trouble United. Click here for our on-the-whistle report.

Our Stat Centre isn't the best place to be if you are a Bournemouth fan. They sit bottom of the pack over the last six games having registered just the one point, while United are unbeaten and averaged two points per game over the same period. Despite their six clean sheets, Bournemouth possess the second worst defence in the division and, on average, concede 1.96 goals per game. Will they avoid reaching two goals this afternoon?

Here, Jose Mourinho describes Zlatan Ibrahimovic as "absolutely phenomenal". That's an understatement, isn't it? In his last four appearances in all competitions, he has scored six times, including a hat-trick against Saint-Etienne and a double against Southampton in the EFL Cup final. He has proven all season that he is still a big-game player and it would be a big surprise if he doesn't score his 27th goal of the campaign this afternoon. Where would United be without the legendary Swede?

"He's absolutely phenomenal."

Jose Mourinho hails the impact of @Ibra_Official for #MUFC ahead of today's game. #MUNBOU pic.twitter.com/FnfdTXX3oL — Manchester United (@ManUtd) 4 March 2017

Wayne Rooney is another player who will be looking to make an impression this afternoon. At one stage, almost every newspaper had you believing that the United skipper would be moving to China but instead, he has remained in the North-West to try to extend his spell in the Premier League. There has been talk of a summer move to Everton but for now, it's all about trying to get United into the Champions League. He takes his place in a Premier League starting lineup for just the ninth time this afternoon and with two goals to his name, but he has also weighed in with five assists. Many people choose to ignore that when slating his game time but he's averaging a goal or assist every 132 minutes in the league this season. I'd say he's still very capable at this level...

Howe has included Afobe in attack this afternoon but his side's key player right now is probably Joshua King. The former United trainee - who made two substitute appearances at Old Trafford during his early days in professional football - has netted four times in his last five outings, and he has established himself as one of the first names on the teamsheet. His pace and directness could prove key and Howe will probably be instructing his attacker to get at Shaw, who may be rusty in the early stages.

PREDICTION! We can see this match only going one way. Bournemouth will fancy their chances on the break but they currently possess no confidence or belief at the back and they are likely to ship a few goals this afternoon. We are going for a 5-1 United win. Sorry, Bournemouth fans...

Here comes the two teams, with United being led out by Rooney. That hasn't happened in a Premier League fixture since December 17.

Bournemouth get us underway at a sunny Old Trafford.

CHANCE! It's very nearly the perfect return for Rooney. A sloppy ball from Mings creates all kinds of problems for Bournemouth and a swift United move ends with Rooney heading Valencia's cross tamely over the bar.

CHANCE! Bournemouth are all over the place at the back. A long ball from Shaw releases Pogba who has run from the halfway lane but despite advancing into the penalty area, his low shot across goal is diverted wide by Boruc.

The visitors are always going to pose a threat on the break but you get the feeling that if/when United open the scoring, it could turn into a cricket score.

CHANCES! Wow, it's all happening at Old Trafford. Bournemouth are committing individual errors left, right and centre but somehow, Rooney and Ibrahimovic don't make the most of an opening inside the penalty area.

Literally seconds later, a long ball releases Afobe and he gets the better of Rojo but as he attempts to round De Gea, he slips. Huge chance.

CHANCE! Yet ANOTHER chance. Martial picks up the ball on the left and drifts inside onto his right foot but his low strike is well saved by Boruc.

It's calmed down a touch but United still look like they are going to score every time they have the ball in the final third. On this occasion, a floated cross from Pogba found Ibrahimovic, but he headed wide of the far post.

CHANCE! Martial looks in fine form this afternoon but he is denied by Boruc for a second time when he ignores the support in the penalty area to aim towards the near post but the Polish stopper diverts the ball wide.

I expected United to score but not in this fashion! Rojo gets on the scoresheet in a Premier League game for the first time after applying the final touch to divert Valencia's low drive into the bottom corner. Boruc had no chance.

Bournemouth have also had to contend with knocks to both Smith and Cook, but it appears that they are going to continue for now. The first job for Bournemouth is to reach half time without conceding another goal but United are pressing them back into their own half.

Bit more encouraging from Bournemouth who manage to get Daniels to the byline but his cross under pressure is straight into the hands of De Gea, who has had very little to do in the opening 30 minutes of this game.

BOOKING! This is an extremely harsh booking for Surman, who is booked for a strong challenge which wins the ball from Shaw. The referee shouldn't be dishing out cards for that.

You have to pay Bournemouth some credit for keeping this down to 1-0 and limiting United's chances over the last 10 minutes. At one stage, it appeared that United would score another couple before half time.

PENALTY TO BOURNEMOUTH! Pugh deceives Jones, who goes to ground and brings down the Bournemouth. Stonewall penalty.

What a penalty from King. The former United trainee is calmness personified as he fires the ball into the top corner. Unbelievably, Bournemouth are level!

SAVE! Boruc has been instrumental in keeping Bournemouth in this game and he makes another solid stop to prevent an Ibrahimovic curler finding the far corner. Big few minutes coming up.

BOOKING! Talking of Ibrahimovic, he picked up a yellow card for complaining about the award of the penalty. Craziness.

SAVE! Boruc saves Bournemouth again with a smart save from Rooney at the near post.

SENDING OFF! Surman is off for a second yellow card but this isn't the story. Ibrahimovic got kicked in the head by Mings, but the forward bided his time before elbowing Mings at the back post. Surman pushed Ibrahimovic after seieng what had happened and received a second yellow. Mings and Ibrahimovic have both avoided cards...

The half-time whistle goes at Old Trafford and somehow, we are at 1-1 and only one team is down to 10 men, with the wrong player being sent off. You got all that? The referee is having an absolute shocker and so far, United are benefiting from it.

It's getting rather tasty at Old Trafford. Mourinho was seen remonstrating with Mings as the two teams came back out. We are back underway with Dan Gosling on for Pugh.

Bournemouth - at a man disadvantage - have started this second half well but you just know United are going to lay siege to the visitors' goal sooner rather than later.

We are going through somewhat of a lull in the tempo of this game but that's probably a good thing. Tensions were running high at half time. It's United in the ascendancy, however.

CHANCE! Rooney gets a squeak of a chance when the ball falls invitingly for him inside the penalty area but a deflection takes his effort over the crossbar.

SHOT! It's all United now. Pogba is given time and space from around 25 yards out but he sees his curling effort tipped wide by Boruc.

BOOKING! Carrick picks up a deserved booking for pulling back King as he attempted to break forward down the left. That's known as taking one for the team.

Bournemouth are using up a lot of energy to remain on level terms but they will be delighted to reach this stage at 1-1. I'm not too sure whether they are capable of scoring a second but they cannot afford to defend too deep.

Danger for Bournemouth. Gosling brings down Pogba on the edge of the area and this is Ibrahimovic territory. Pogba and Mata are taking an interest too.

It's not often that you can say this but it's an abysmal set piece from Ibrahimovic. It hits the ball and goes away for a corner, which comes to nothing.

Bournemouth finally start to create something in the final third of the pitch and good work from Afobe and Fraser helps their side win a throw-in in the corner. It comes to nothing, but at least they've given United something to think about in that part of the pitch.

SUBSTITUTIONS! Triple change for United. Shaw, Carrick and Rooney are all being brought off with Marouane Fellaini, Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford all being introduced.

PENALTY TO MANCHESTER UNITED! Smith is adjudged to have handled the ball. It's harsh to say the least. There's less than a yard.

SAVE! Boruc saves Ibrahimovic's penalty low down to his right!

Arter is down clutching his face after Pogba ran into him. Difficult to judge whether it was deliberate or not but regardless, it's going to hurt. The referee didn't stop play either. I'm hoping that is because he didn't see the incident rather than he didn't deem it to be genuine.

By the letter of the law, Arter should be sent off here for a late challenge on Pogba but the referee decides not to book him. The official must be aware he has made mistakes earlier in the match.

BOOKING! Rashford is the next man to be booked for a shoulder-barge on Smith on the touchline. Again, that's harsh. The referee has lost the plot.

Five minutes to go at Old Trafford. It's very much all United but Bournemouth are having the odd flurry forward on the break. They will be awaiting the final United surge.

SUBSTITUTION! King has put a shift in this afternoon and he is being replaced by Max Gradel.

There will be five minutes of added-on time. Bournemouth are out on their feet, especially Afobe. His work-rate has been immense.

United are still pressing in numbers. A cross almost found Ibrahimovic at the back post but it was just over the Swede's head.

CHANCE! Pogba squanders a huge chance! The ball falls for him in the penalty area but he completely scuffs his volley from 10 yards.

The full-time whistle goes at Old Trafford and somehow, someway, Bournemouth have earned a 1-1 draw! There's so many talking points from that game that I encourage you to read back through our coverage. What a point for the Cherries!

That will be all from Sports Mole for this game. Thank you for joining us this afternoon and we hope to see you again soon. Goodbye for now.