Bournemouth Vs Man. United: How Do They Compare?

They'll be playing each other next season - but how do Bournemouth and Manchester United compare?

Bournemouth virtually sealed promotion to the Premier League on Monday night, meaning the south coast side will come face-to-face with England's elite next season.

Boss Eddie Howe described the club's rise from the depths of the fourth-tier and the brink of extinction to Premier League new boys as an "amazing journey". A comparison with Manchester United demonstrates the scale of their achievement...

Seasons in England's top flight

Bournemouth: 0

Manchester United: 90

For all but five of Bournemouth's 116-year history, they have played in or below the third tier and last season's 10th-placed Championship finish was a club record. In contrast, Manchester United have enjoyed 90 seasons in the top flight since 1888/89 and are currently on a 40-season run in England’s elite division.

Last week, Sky Sports' Ultimate League, which listed the average finishing positions of English clubs over the past 50 years, placed United second, with an average placing of 4.9. Bournemouth were 62nd, with an average placing of 59.8.

Stadium capacity

Bournemouth: 12,000

Manchester United: 75,635

Bournemouth may be one of the best teams in the Championship this season but their Goldsands Stadium has the lowest capacity in the second tier. Chairman Jeff Mostyn has spoken of his aim to increase the capacity from 12,000 to 18,000. However, even that total would fall below the lowest capacity in the Premier League this season - 18,439 at QPR's Loftus Road.

Bournemouth have an average attendance this season of 10,265. Manchester United's Old Trafford, meanwhile, can hold 75,635 - second only to Wembley in England and in the top 10 football stadiums in Europe. Their average is a Premier League-high 75,329.

Six seasons ago...

Bournemouth: Finished 21st in League Two

Manchester United: Premier League, League Cup champions, Champions League runners-up

Bournemouth were facing relegation to non-league - and potential extinction - at the end of the 2008/09 season. However, heroics from record appearance-maker Steve Fletcher 10 minutes from time against Grimsby sealed a 2-1 win to preserve their Football League status. The striker - whose winner was his 100th league goal - later had a stand named after him at Dean Court.

While Bournemouth were scrapping for their existence, Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United were enjoying a stellar season, beating Tottenham on penalties to win the League Cup before wrapping up a third Premier League title in a row to equal Liverpool's record total of 18 championships. United even had the chance to round off a near-perfect season in the Champions League final against Barcelona, but finished runners-up after a 2-0 defeat in Rome.

Transfer record

Bournemouth: Reported £3m for Callum Wilson

Manchester United: £59.7m for Angel di Maria

Bournemouth splashed the cash on Coventry striker Callum Wilson last summer. The 23-year-old has repaid the club in impressive fashion, scoring 20 Championship goals and 23 in 49 appearances in all competitions.

Manchester United broke the British transfer record in the same window to land Real Madrid attacker Angel di Maria. The Argentine started in impressive fashion with three goals in his first five games but has found himself used as a substitute in the second half of the season.

Finances

Bournemouth: £5.1m turnover (2012/13)

Manchester United: £433.2m (2013/14)

In the financial year ending July 2013, Bournemouth made £5.1m in annual turnover - but lost £15.3m. The statement - which included their promotion to the Championship - also highlighted an £8.7m loan from Russian owner Max Demin. The club made a loss of just £3.4m the year before. Chairman Mostyn said: "Success requires investment."

Those numbers are miniscule compared with Manchester United, though. United announced in September a record revenue of £433.2m for 2013/14, including profits of £23.8m. However, in February, in the club's latest quarterly results, it was revealed United's debt has risen to £380.5million.

Credit: Skysports.com