Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim offered measured praise for Bournemouth and their manager Andoni Iraola as the Red Devils prepare to host the Cherries at Old Trafford on Monday night. Bournemouth have slipped to 14th in the Premier League table after a poor run of results, but Amorim warned that their recent form does not tell the whole story.

United have recovered in recent weeks, taking seven points from the last nine available and recording away wins at Crystal Palace and Wolverhampton Wanderers. A victory over Bournemouth would see United move into the Premier League’s top four at the end of the weekend.

Amorim also pointed to Bournemouth’s recent success at Old Trafford, noting their 3–0 wins there in consecutive Premier League seasons. He said he was more focused on the way Bournemouth play than on results alone.

“Special. I think the way they play the game like a big team, what he’s doing for some players,” Amorim told his Friday news conference. “I think he’s improving some players, and you can look at that team and they have several players that can play in a high level. That is an amazing job by the manager.”

He added: “I think it’s a top team, top manager with a special player. I don’t look to the results. I look at the way they face every opponent. They press really strong, they are really direct in the game.

“They can play with different options in front and that gives us a lot of options to work, to prepare the game. So I expect, again, a Premier League game that is really tough but we need to win, especially at home, and that is the goal.”

Amorim’s reference to a “special player” could be Antoine Semenyo. United are reported to have strong interest in Semenyo, but completing a move may require triggering the £65 million ($86.9 million) release clause that is active in his contract for most of January. Rival interest from Liverpool and Manchester City complicates any transfer, and there is no guarantee United would prioritise Semenyo over summer midfield reinforcements that may require significant investment.

Chelsea were held to a 0-0 draw at Bournemouth as a patchy attacking display and a first-half injury hindered their response after the Leeds defeat. Robert Sánchez produced the standout performance, his 8.5 rating reflecting a crucial save shortly before the break that kept Chelsea level.

The Blues showed some life after the interval, Alejandro Garnacho heading against the post and Cole Palmer testing Đorđe Petrović with shots that briefly threatened to change the game. Overall, though, Chelsea offered too little to deserve more than a point away from home.

Player ratings (out of 10)
GK: Robert Sánchez — 8.5
RB: Malo Gusto — 8.1
CB: Trevoh Chalobah — 7.5
CB: Wesley Fofana — 7.9
LB: Marc Cucurella — 7.2
DM: Reece James — 7.1
DM: Enzo Fernández — 7.0
RM: Pedro Neto — 7.1
AM: Cole Palmer — 7.6
LM: Alejandro Garnacho — 6.7
ST: Liam Delap — 5.7

Substitutes
Marc Guiu (31’ for Delap) — 6.6
João Pedro (58’ for Palmer) — 6.5
Estêvão (77’ for Garnacho) — 5.7
Subs not used: Filip Jörgensen (GK), Benoît Badiashile, Jorrel Hato, Josh Acheampong, Andrey Santos, Jamie Gittens.

Liam Delap left the field after 30 minutes with a shoulder injury sustained in a physical duel with Marcos Senesi, forcing an early change. Earlier, Bournemouth thought they had taken the lead inside four minutes when Antoine Semenyo celebrated, but a lengthy VAR check ruled Evanilson offside. Defensive nerves were visible in Chelsea’s opening phase and it took time for the team to settle.

In the second half Chelsea increased their urgency. Garnacho’s header hit the post and both Enzo Fernández and Cole Palmer drew saves from Đorđe Petrović, a former Blue. The match statistics underline the story: Bournemouth generated the better expected goals and more efforts on target, while Chelsea held more possession and a higher pass accuracy but produced too little in the final third.

Antoine Semenyo’s recent form and contract terms have pushed the Bournemouth winger firmly into the Premier League conversation. The 25-year-old scored six goals and supplied three assists in the first seven games of the campaign, and his new deal contains a release clause set at £65 million ($86.6 million). That combination has prompted renewed attention from several top clubs ahead of the January window.

Manchester City are reported to be the primary contenders to consider activating the clause as early as the winter window. Liverpool retain a structural advantage through sporting director Richard Hughes, who brought the winger to Bournemouth in 2023. Manchester United are understood to have cooled their pursuit as they prioritise other positions.

Semenyo is not a one-season wonder. He produced 11 goals and six assists last year, a return that underlines his capacity to cause problems for Premier League defenders when at his best. Still, potential suitors must weigh concerns about the subsequent drop in his level during part of this season, an issue that has affected other Bournemouth players as well.

Ghana manager Otto Addo has signalled that Semenyo is ready for a step up. “He has done very well at Bournemouth, but with all the respect for Bournemouth and what they’re doing, surely it is natural for him to take the next step,” Ghana boss Addo told The Athletic.

“Whether its in the winter or summer, it is a difference question but it won’t make a difference for [Ghana]. I’m looking forward to him showing more of what he can to the world.”

Clubs chasing an extra source of goals and assists will see Semenyo as an attractive option heading into January. The release clause places a clear price on the move, but form fluctuations make the decision makers cautious. For now, Manchester City look best placed to make a concrete offer, Liverpool benefit from existing relationships at Bournemouth, and Manchester United appear to have stepped back from active competition.