Andoni Iraola makes ‘best in the Premier League’ claim about Manchester United ahead of Bournemouth clash

Mar 19, 2026 - 19:00
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Andoni Iraola makes ‘best in the Premier League’ claim about Manchester United ahead of Bournemouth clash
Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth host Manchester United in the Premier League on Friday night

Andoni Iraola believes Manchester United are currently the best team in the Premier League ahead of Bournemouth’s game on Friday night.

Michael Carrick has taken charge of nine games with United so far and has made an impressive impact with seven wins, two of which came against Manchester City and Arsenal, one draw and one defeat.

United now sit third in the Premier League on 54 points, three points clear of fourth-placed Aston Villa, and are on course to secure a place in next season’s Champions League.

Speaking ahead of United’s trip to the Vitality Stadium on Friday night, Iraola hailed Carrick’s impact and believes his side have been the standout performers in the Premier League since he replaced Ruben Amorim as manager in January.

‘I think obviously they are doing very well, it’s not just the results, this is evident, and something very objective, it’s just that they are, for me, more solid,’ Iraola said on Thursday.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 15: Michael Carrick manager / head coach of Manchester United with Casemiro of Manchester United af the Premier League match between Manchester United and Aston Villa at Old Trafford on March 15, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
Andoni Iraola says Michael Carrick has brought ‘defensive solidity’ to Manchester United (AMA/Getty)

‘Because they have the same threat offensively but they were the same with Ruben [Amorim], they were scoring a lot of goals, having a lot of chances like they are having now, but defensively they look more solid, they haven’t conceded a lot of goals, if you see the chances they concede in some games it’s ridiculous, they don’t concede chances a lot of times, and the improvement in points and feeling from this defensive solidity.

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‘I think we will have to be very good to get a draw because they are playing very well, they are one of the best, if not the best team, right now in the Premier League.

‘I think everything is positive, the results are remarkable, I don’t know him [Carrick] personally but I like how he speaks, how he behaves, how he makes everything about the team and the team is playing really well.

‘I think they are doing really well, everything looks fantastic but we have the problem that we have to face them tomorrow. So we will try to find some weaknesses that they have but I’m very happy he’s doing so well.’

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