Erik ten Hag compiled an endless list of 'dark days' in charge of Manchester United, and few were more somber than Bournemouth's previous visit to Old Trafford.
United were not alone were defeated 3-0 by Kershištebut they were thoroughly defeated by Andoni Iraola's team. The Red Devils had beaten Chelsea at home just a few days before, but that 2-1 victory would prove to be another false dawn.
Things are completely different more than a year later. While Bournemouth are emerging as a European contender in Iraola's second term in charge, united have left Ten Hag in favor of a new project led by Ruben Amorim.
The former Sporting CP boss hasn't been afraid to make bold calls on the team selection front since taking over, and having had the first month of his reign to see the entire United squad, it looks like Amorim is begins. to settle on a favored XI.
Here's the United squad that could line up against Bournemouth.
GK: Andre Onana – United supporters will be rooting for Onana to stay injury-free the rest of the way after enduring Altay Bayindir on Thursday night.
CB: Matthijs de Ligt – Lenny Yoro impressed at Spurs and could keep his place on the right side of United's back three, but it would be a surprise if De Ligt was left out as he appears to have been rested for Sunday's game.
CB: Harry Maguire – We've seen Maguire impress at the heart of England's back three and he now looks at ease within the new manager's framework.
CB: Lisandro Martinez – Amorim has encouraged Martinez to be bolder on the ball, but the Portuguese coach will also need to remind the Argentine of his defensive fundamentals after his dreadful midweek performance.
RWB: Noussair Mazraoui – Mazraoui was an injury concern in Thursday's game and would ideally be given a breather. However, if Amorim decides to keep Amad in the front line, he has no choice but to deploy Mazraoui on the right wing.
CM: Manuel Ugarte – The tenacious Uruguayan is showing signs of finding the form he showed under Amorim at Sporting. He was very good on Thursday night and deserves to keep his place.
CM: Kobbie Mainoo – A Mainoo-Ugarte pivot is arguably United's best combination, given how their skill sets complement each other. Mainoo came off the bench in midweek and should be relatively fresh for the visit of Bournemouth.
LWB: Diogo Dalot – Talk about a position United need to improve at the next possible opportunity. Dalot has been a mainstay for Amorim so far, but that is due to a lack of alternatives rather than the player's own stellar performances.
AM: Amad Diallo – United's main man was on the scoresheet for the second successive cup game, although this strike was markedly less skilful than his winner in Sunday's derby. Amad is a possibility to return to the starting line-up, even if Amorim has hinted that there could be a return to the matchday squad for Marcus Rashford.
AM: Bruno Fernandes – Is there any rest for Fernandes? He comes on in any case and will undoubtedly remain in the squad on Sunday, despite the quick turnaround.
ST: Joshua Zirkzee – Rasmus Hojlund struggled last time out and Zirkzee has shown he can operate as an Amorim front man. The Dutchman was on the scoresheet against Spurs and his display may have been enough to convince the boss that he is worthy of a start on Sunday.