Eddie Howe insists Bournemouth must defy the odds to survive

Eddie Howe insists that his side must "defy the odds again" to stay up in the Premier League, starting with Manchester United.

The Cherries are on a run of eight games without victory and four straight league defeats heading to Old Trafford on Saturday, and Howe was realistic ahead of their clash, which is live on Sky Sports 1 HD, against the newly crowned EFL Cup champions.

"Manchester United won the cup last week so they'll be in good spirits," said Howe.

"I've always been my harshest critic. That's how I've always been in my life, as a player and manager, the buck stops with me first.

"I need to grow stronger from this experience, certainly I'm more motivated than I've ever been for this club to achieve what we need to do.

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"We've always tried to defy the odds here, that's what we've always done and that's what we're going to have to do again.

"Before the season started there was talk about second-season syndrome and how difficult it was going to be for us. We're in that moment now, and this is where we need to be very strong as a group to defy the odds again."

Bournemouth currently sit 14th in the league, four points above the relegation places and the 39-year-old has said they will treat their game at United no differently in their search for a win to restart their season.

"Certainly we've worked the players hard," Howe added. "We're excited about the game. We can only be positive about the future and certainly there's no other way to approach this game or any other game.

"We're as confident as we can be with this run of fixtures. We know that a win is needed to fully feel good about ourselves, hopefully that's not too far away.

"When you look at our recent history we have to take a moment to think, look back and reflect. The positions the club and these players have been in it's not been a bed of roses for them."