EDDIE Howe has warned Cherries not to show Manchester United too much respect as the 20-time top-flight champions prepare for the Premier League curtain-raiser at Vitality Stadium.

United, led by new boss and two-time Champions League winner Jose Mourinho, will on Sunday provide the opposition as Cherries begin their second season at English football's top table (1.30pm).

Mourinho's squad features a galaxy of stars with £89million world-record signing Paul Pogba – who is suspended for the clash – and former Barcelona and AC Milan frontman Zlatan Ibrahimovic being the Old Trafford club's most high-profile summer recruits.

In addition to £26million ace Henrikh Mkhitaryan, the Red Devils have the likes of Euro 2016 stars Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney at their disposal and Mourinho will be determined to begin his title assault in positive fashion.

With United's considerable talent in evidence – on paper at least – Howe has urged his players not to show any more than the right respect.

He told the Daily Echo: "I think it's really important we're not too respectful.

"You always have to respect your opponent but once you go into the game, they are the same as any other players. You treat them as such, while respecting their ability.

"We have to make sure we keep them quiet and impose ourselves on the game.

"The first game of the season is a wonderful opportunity for us, with everyone watching, to establish ourselves early. I think we have to look at the game positively, rather than with any negativity or fear.

"In the home games we want to try and be ourselves and not be too respectful to anyone we play."

Premier League predictions have been rife in recent weeks with Sky pundit and former Arsenal star Paul Merson among those to reveal his belief Cherries would be relegated this season.

Content for such opinions to be stated, Howe admitted he relished the chance to prove the club's critics wrong.

He added: "Historically, we've been the underdog. Even in our Championship-winning campaign, we were written off. It's a tag that suits us and I'd like to think we can thrive with it.

"I've seen a lot of people write us off in the build-up to this season and I'm fine with that. But we have to respond on the pitch. The only way you can respond is by getting results.

"I don't waste any time thinking about it or giving it any credibility but it is always nice to prove people wrong.

"This whole club has had to prove people wrong for a long time. Everyone individually has been written off at one stage or another. I've been written off. When you are in football you always are but you have to keep coming back.

"You have got to have the mental strength and resilience to have another go."

Cherries will be without winger Junior Stanislas for the clash as he continues to build his fitness following a hernia operation. Howe expects defender Tyrone Mings to be fully fit by the end of next month.