Manchester United defender Luke Shaw is not underestimating Bournemouth for one second ahead of Saturday's clash.
Erik ten Hag's men head down to Dorset looking to build on last weekend's win over Wolves and take a step closer to securing Champions League football next season. With Newcastle having seen off Brighton in midweek and Liverpool breathing down United's neck, three points on the south coast is crucial.
The Cherries represent a dangerous opponent in Shaw's eyes though, with Gary O'Neil having guided Bournemouth to safety in the top flight this season. The likes of Liverpool and Tottenham have suffered defeats by O'Neil's side in the second half of the campaign, so United's number 23 is not taking the game lightly - though he is feeling the benefit of a free week following United's Europa League elimination.
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"It’s a really important game and it’s going to be a very tough game,” Shaw told club media. "Bournemouth away is never easy - we just have to go in with the right attitude, right aggression, do the right things and I’m sure we can get the win there."
Shaw added: "It’s been really strange to be honest (having consecutive free midweeks). We’d much prefer to be in the Europa League but it’s been good to have a little bit of rest, something different. This season has been very challenging. There have been a lot of games and not really much time to rest.
"Us, as a team, feel like we’re benefiting from a whole week [of preparation]. We’ve been training hard and working on what we’ve got to do in the game at the weekend.
"I think that’s been good, to have a longer period of training time. The manager can fully get his tactical ideas across on how he wants us to deliver in the games.”
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