AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe says his side will not be intimidated when Manchester United visit the Vitalty Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
New Man Utd manager Jose Mourinho has added Paul Pogba – who is suspended for this match, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Eric Bailly to a squad packed with international talent as the Red Devils aim for their 14th Premier League title this season.
But AFC Bournemouth won this fixture 2-1 last season and, while Howe says it will be a special occasion, he is confident his team will embrace the challenge.
“Manchester United coming to Bournemouth is fantastic for us,” Howe told afcb.co.uk.
“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.”
Former Paris Saint Germain striker Ibrahimovic is set for his Premier League debut at the age of 34, and Howe said: “Ibrahimovic is a real talent.
“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.”
