'It's a tough place to go': Man Utd boss Carrick wary of tricky trip to Bournemouth

[p]The [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/manchester-united/ppjDR086/"]Red Devils[/a] have enjoyed a resurgence since former United and England midfielder Carrick was appointed caretaker boss in January until the end of the season.[/p][p]United are now third in the Premier League [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/bournemouth-OtpNdwrc/manchester-utd-ppjDR086/?mid=QZ5U62OH"]ahead of their trip to south coast side Bournemouth[/a] after recovering from their first loss under Carrick, away to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/newcastle-utd/p6ahwuwJ/"]Newcastle[/a], by beating top-four rivals [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/aston-villa/W00wmLO0/"]Aston Villa[/a] 3-1 on Sunday.[/p][p]Bournemouth, however, are 10th in the table and have made life difficult for United in recent seasons, with December's remarkable 4-4 draw at Old Trafford extending their recent unbeaten run in this fixture.[/p][p]Cherries boss Andoni Iraola, tipped as a possible permanent manager of the Red Devils, has not lost in five previous matches against United.[/p][embed guid="ad31a5c5-0f37-4e33-9c99-ccf21eadf766" url="https://x.com/ManUtd/status/2034597838080848002?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]But such has been the club's revival under Carrick, appointed after former United teammate Darren Fletcher's two-game spell in temporary charge following the sacking of Ruben Amorim, that the Old Trafford hierarchy may well stick with the 44-year-old come the end of the current campaign.[/p][p][b]"It's a tough game," [/b]Carrick said of Bournemouth, undefeated in their last 10 matches in the Premier League.[/p][p][b]"It's a tough place to go. They're on a really good run of form, so, yeah, a difficult game," [/b]he also told a pre-match press conference on Thursday.[/p][p][b]"We're obviously going down there, we've had a good run, and the boys are in good shape but yeah, always a difficult game. Always has been and probably always will be.[/b][/p][p]"We know that they're a really good team, well coached, really well coached, and good energy. We know we'll be in for a game down there on Friday."[/p][embed guid="4fd32406-bc5f-4cd8-901b-d19e24f51e20" url="https://x.com/premierleague/status/2000704205229556063?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]United have won just two of their last seven away matches following a last-gasp 2-1 loss at Newcastle.[/p][p]But Carrick said: "Whether it's home or away, it's not something we kind of look at too much. It's the next game, really."[/p][p]He added: [b]"It's been nice to be able to win at home and put that in place, and to go and play at Old Trafford with a real feeling of confidence and looking forward to the game and for the supporters to feel that as well and leaving with a good feeling."[/b][/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/de-ligt-matthijs/hhRKVBXN/"]Matthijs de Ligt[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/dorgu-patrick/Sf4eaXAH/"]Patrick Dorgu[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/martinez-lisandro/GIzJAqQs/"]Lisandro Martinez[/a] remain sidelined for Friday’s match, but the latter is expected to be available when United return to action against [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/leeds/tUxUbLR2/"]Leeds[/a] on April 13th.[/p][p]The international break, lack of European fixtures and an early FA Cup exit mean United have an unusually long, 24-day wait for a game after the Bournemouth match.[/p][p]"You've got to be really flexible, you know, to come off the back of it in good shape," Carrick said.[/p][p][b]"The boys will have a break, in some way, but we're definitely mindful of it for sure, and it's a little bit unique in some ways, having the week after the internationals to prepare for the next game."[/b][/p]