"I want to win everything" has been Jose Mourinho's mantra ever since taking over as Manchester United manager. The first test of the former Chelsea manager's ambitions will be tested when Manchester United open their Premier League campaign with a tricky encounter against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday.
With Pep Guardiola's Manchester City winning on Saturday, albeit unconvincingly, that pressure metre has risen just that wee bit more for Manchester United, and having begun their season by clinching the curtain-raiser Community Shield title last weekend, Mourinho will want to carry that momentum into this game against Eddie Howe's men.
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To do that Manchester United will need their big players to step up again, much like Zlatan Ibrahimovic did, heading home the winner against Leicester City last Sunday. One superstar who will not feature in this EPL opener, however, will be Paul Pogba, with the new world's most expensive player suspended for this match, having received one from the Coppa Italia during his time with Juventus last season.
Pogba might have not played anyway, considering he only recently returned to training after a sustained holiday following his exertions for France in Euro 2016, and that will give Ibrahimovic another chance to grab the spotlight he so loves.
His goal against Leicester was the perfect centre-forward's header, and while the Swede was not at his most influential best, he showed how lethal he can be, given just one chance. The trick will be to do that, and hit the goals over the course of a gruelling Premier League season, which has already taken its first twist and turn, after Leicester were beaten by newly-promoted Hull City in the opening match of the season.
"Ibrahimovic is a real talent," Bournemouth manager Howe said. "It's great to see him here in the Premier League but we won't be in awe of him, we'll be trying to keep him quiet. Of course he's a good player but they have quality all over the pitch, from the full backs in (Antonio) Valencia and (Luke) Shaw up to Ibrahimovic up top, we need to prepare to deal with them all.
"After last year I would say anyone can win league and with the manager that they've got of course that will be Manchester United's aim – I believe it'll be open with a number of contenders."
Bournemouth will be feeling enthused about their opener, knowing a win against Jose Mourinho's Manchester United, and they could well be on their way to making waves this season. Howe is a manager who has earned respect throughout England, and the talented Englishman will be keen to pit his wits against Mourinho, having beaten Louis Van Gaal's Manchester United last season.
"Manchester United coming to Bournemouth is fantastic for us," Howe added. "I certainly don't – and I know that the club do not – take that for granted. We are privileged to play in the Premier League and host everyone in the league, but this will be a special one to start.
"That said, we are not going to be overawed by anything, just as we weren't last season. The challenge from the players' perspective is to respond to it all with a positive not negative attitude."
Team news: Bournemouth: Junior Stanislas, the man who scored against Manchester United last season, is ruled out, along with Tyrone Mings.
Manchester United: Apart from Pogba, Chris Smalling is also suspended, after the defender's sending off in the FA Cup final for two yellow cards.
Where to Watch Live
Bournemouth vs Manchester United is scheduled for a 1.30 p.m. local time (5 p.m. IST) kickoff. Live streaming and TV information is below.
India: TV: Star Sports 4 and Star Sports Select HD1. Live Streaming: Hotstar.
UK: TV: Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports HD1. Live Sreaming: Watch Sky Sports.
Singapore: TV: 102mio.
Malaysia: TV: Astro SuperSport.
Australia: TV: Optus Sport. Live Streaming: Optus Online.
USA: TV: NBC Universo and NBCSN. Live Streaming: NBC Sports Live.
Canada: TV: TSN5. Live Streaming: TSN TV.
China: TV: LeTV, PPTV and QQ Sports.
Middle East and Thailand: TV: Bein Sports. Live Streaming: Bein Sports Connect.
South Africa: TV: SuperSport3. Live Streaming: SuperSport Live.
