Challenging venue awaits: Man Utd interim chief Carrick cautious about Bournemouth clash

Manchester United have seen a strong revival since Michael Carrick, the former midfielder for both United and England, stepped in as temporary manager back in January to see out the season.

The club currently holds third spot in the Premier League table before their journey to the south coast outfit Bournemouth, having rebounded from their debut defeat under Carrick at Newcastle with a convincing 3-1 triumph over fellow top-four contenders Aston Villa last Sunday.

Bournemouth sit in 10th place and have proven troublesome for United over recent years, highlighted by the thrilling 4-4 stalemate at Old Trafford in December that further solidified their ongoing unbeaten sequence against this opponent.

The Cherries manager Andoni Iraola, once viewed as a contender for the full-time role at Manchester United, holds a perfect record across his five earlier meetings with the team.

Yet the remarkable upturn in fortunes during Carricks tenure, which came after his ex teammate Darren Fletchers short two match stint as caretaker post the dismissal of Ruben Amorim, could see the Old Trafford leadership opt to keep the 44 year old in position beyond this term.

"Its a tough game," Carrick commented regarding Bournemouth, who boast an unbeaten streak over their previous 10 Premier League outings.

"Its a tough place to go. Theyre on a really good run of form so yeah a difficult game," he remarked further during Thursdays pre match media briefing.

"Were obviously going down there weve 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.

"We know that theyre a really good team well coached really well coached and good energy. We know well be in for a game down there on Friday."

Manchester United have managed only two wins from their most recent seven road trips since that narrow 2-1 setback at Newcastle.

Still Carrick noted: "Whether its home or away its not something we kind of look at too much. Its the next game really."

He continued: "Its 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."

Matthijs de Ligt Patrick Dorgu and Lisandro Martinez will continue to miss Fridays encounter but the defender from Argentina should be fit for Uniteds resumption versus Leeds on April 13th.

With the upcoming international window absence of continental matches and a premature FA Cup departure United face an uncommon 24 day interval before their following fixture after facing Bournemouth.

"Youve got to be really flexible you know to come off the back of it in good shape," Carrick explained.

"The boys will have a break in some way but were definitely mindful of it for sure and its a little bit unique in some ways having the week after the internationals to prepare for the next game."