Manchester United entertain struggling Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Saturday (12.30pm kick-off) looking to get back into the Premier League’s top four for the first time since September.

The Red Devils are embarking on a 16-game unbeaten run in the league, dating back to their 4-0 drubbing at Chelsea in October, and that has given them a chance to finishing in the top four and returning to the Champions League after a one-year absence.

Jose Mourinho’s men are fresh off the back of winning the League Cup following their 3-2 victory over Southampton in last week’s final, and they’ll look to take that confidence and momentum into Saturday’s meeting with Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth, who have been on a woeful run of form in recent weeks.

The Cherries haven’t won any of their last seven Premier League matches, dating back to their 3-0 success at Swansea on New Year’s Eve, and they’ve also lost their last four games on the spin, conceding 12 goals in the process.

Clearly, United will go in as favourites and, given that they are still in the Europa League and FA Cup, there’s a lot to play for between now and May for the Red Devils, as there is for many players, with some still unsure as to whether they’ll be at the club next season.

Thus, here are THREE Man United players who are fighting for their futures at Old Trafford…

Luke Shaw

It seems apparent that manager Mourinho isn’t a big fan of left-back Luke Shaw, and it could spell the end of the youngster’s Manchester United career.

The former Chelsea boss started the England international in their first five Premier League games of the season, but he publicly criticised the defender for his display against Watford, and then questioned his commitment ahead of their clash with Swansea in November.

Unsurprisingly, Shaw has made just one league start since their 3-1 loss at Watford, and has appeared just once for the club since the turn of year which, given that they were in four competitions at the start of 2017, indicates his falling importance to the squad.

Clearly, he has a lot to prove over the coming months, otherwise his United career could come to an end in the summer.

Michael Carrick

Former England international Michael Carrick has once again underlined his importance to this United side this season following a string of impressive displays.

The midfielder turned 35 last July yet remains an integral member of the squad at Old Trafford, as when he plays, the Red Devils have greater control over the midfield, and win more games often than not.

However, Carrick has been substituted three times in his last six games for United, which perhaps suggests that he’s not always what United need in the middle, and it even throws his future at the club into doubt given that he is out of contract at the end of the season.

Having his experience and guile both on and off the pitch would be invaluable for United, but Carrick clearly has some work to do between now and May to earn a new deal at Old Trafford.

Wayne Rooney

Wayne Rooney’s Manchester United future has been subject to debate for much of the campaign, yet he remains a Red Devil after seeing the Chinese Super League transfer window close at the end of February.

The England captain became the club’s all time top-scorer earlier on in the campaign by netting against Stoke, yet he has been restricted to just nine Premier League starts this term, as well as just ten in other competitions.

Clearly, the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, and Juan Mata are ahead of him in the pecking order, and with his best days arguably behind him, he’s unlikely to be able to break into the side on a regular basis.

The 31-year-old was linked with a move back to Everton and indeed various Chinese clubs earlier this year – there is still demand in Rooney, but it’ll be up to him to prove his worth to Mourinho between now and May, otherwise he’ll likely be off in the summer.