Bournemouth have suffered a major blow as manager Andoni Iraola confirmed that Tyler Adams will be sidelined with a torn cruciate ligament.
The 26-year-old played for the Cherries this season led to Manchester United Consider a potential £40m move in 2026.
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The Pitch Prospect’s transfer correspondent Ben Jacobs revealed that Adams is on United’s radar as a future midfield target for Ruben Amorim.
However, his January transfer prospects were virtually wiped out by an injury he ironically sustained at Old Trafford.
The US international injured his knee in a duel with Matheus Cunha in the second minute of the 4-4 epic and had to be substituted.
Immediately after the thriller, Bournemouth coach Iraola said: “He’s definitely the worst news of the game. The knee is twisted, I think the MCL. We need to see if it’s a minor sprain or a major one.”
Iraola’s worst fears have now come true, with the Bournemouth boss confirming the injury period in his pre-match press conference on Friday ahead of Saturday’s clash with Burnley.
The Spaniard revealed that Adams has suffered a torn cruciate ligament and could be sidelined for up to three months.
Adam and Eve cannot
Iraola said: “Tyler is injured. He tore his ACL. So he’ll be out, definitely for some time.”
As for when Adams might be back in action, Iraola noted: “Usually two or three months.”
“Two months, optimistic two months, pessimistic three, something like that.”
“So yes, it’s a big blow. It’s a big blow because it’s an important player for us.”
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“But when you saw the mechanism and the action, we immediately felt like there could be something there. Yes.”
Adams has started 15 of Bournemouth’s 16 Premier League games this season, missing just the other game due to suspension.
He has scored two goals and provided an assist and even won November’s Goal of the Month award for his stunning long-range strike in the club’s 3-2 away defeat at Sunderland last month.
“Tyler is very valuable to us,” Iraola continued. I think he’s also a very unique player, a very specific player in what he does.
“But we also have options. Alex.” [Scott] played there as number six.
“We have Lewis Cook, that is his natural position, to revive him after the suspension. But it is true that he is a player who is difficult to replace because he is very, very unique.”
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The midfielder’s latest fitness setback is a major blow after previously having to return to full fitness for almost two years.
A hamstring injury in March 2023 eventually required surgery, after which several back problems hampered his progress on the south coast.
The US 2022 World Cup captain has made over 50 appearances for Bournemouth since joining from Leeds two years ago.
Adams was virtually ubiquitous in Iraolais the team that finished ninth in the Premier League last season after an injury-hit first year.
His continued form this season has seen him emerge as a cost-effective alternative target to Elliot Anderson or Carlos Baleba for United.
Second Big Six transfer derailed
A potential move to Old Trafford looked increasingly likely next summer, but the injury again came at a bad time.
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Adams previously had a fitness problem when Chelsea activated his release clause of £20 million in Leeds before talks collapsed.
Bournemouth stepped in a week later and would be reluctant to let their key player leave if interest revived after the World Cup.