MU aim to rebound

Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini insists under-fire boss Louis van Gaal will silence his growing band of critics by winning the Premier League title this season.

Van Gaal had endured a barrage of abuse from unhappy fans during last Saturday's 0-0 draw against West Ham, but that was nothing compared to the insults thrown at him after United suffered an embarrassing Champions League exit on Tuesday.

With a host of former United stars including Paul Scholes and Roy Keane queuing up to question van Gaal following that 3-2 defeat at Wolfsburg, the pressure is mounting as the Dutchman takes his spluttering side to Bournemouth on Saturday.

United are without a win in their last four matches in all competitions and reports claim van Gaal has lost the support of sections of his squad, with some players said to have been amazed by his decision to replace Juan Mata with the inexperienced Nick Powell against Wolfsburg.

But Fellaini is adamant van Gaal retains the full backing of the dressing room and, with fourth placed United only three points behind leaders Leicester, the Belgium international expects a strong push to win the title.

"We trust him," Fellaini told NBC Sports. "He is the manager, it is his philosophy and we have to continue like that.

"I am sure the goals will come and the chances as well. Yes, of course (we can win the title). At the moment we are in the top four, we are there."

United could be facing fourth bottom Bournemouth at the worst possible time as Eddie Howe's team will be buoyant after their surprise win at Chelsea last weekend.

That loss threatened to bring the curtain down on Jose Mourinho's second spell at Chelsea after a traumatic season at the Stamford Bridge.

But Mourinho's players, regularly reported to be disenchanted with their manager this term, responded to claims that the Portuguese coach was on the verge of the sack by beating Porto 2-0 on Wednesday to book their place in the Champions League last 16.

That victory appears to have bought Mourinho breathing space as he tries to lift Chelsea, currently only two points above the relegation zone, back into contention for a top four finish.

Fixtures
(1500 GMT unless stated)
Saturday
Bournemouth v Manchester United (1730 GMT), Crystal Palace v Southampton, Manchester City v Swansea, Norwich v Everton (1245 GMT), Sunderland v Watford, West Ham v Stoke
Sunday
Aston Villa v Arsenal (1330 GMT), Liverpool v West Brom (1600 GMT), Tottenham v Newcastle (1600 GMT)
Monday
Leicester v Chelsea (2000 GMT)