Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe insists there was nothing they could do to prevent Lys Mousset from leaving for Sheffield United.

The Frenchman, who turns 24 tomorrow, left Cherries to join Premier League new-boys Sheffield United for £10million in July and soon became a favourite among Blades fans.

Ahead of Sunday's clash, Howe told the Daily Echo: “It was more the contract length really in the end.

“The season before he had two years left, which means we could keep him.

“But last summer with just the year left it made it impossible for us to make that call."