As they return to action in the Barclays Premier League, Manchester United hosts Bolton Wanderers at Old Trafford, which should be an old fashion Greater Manchester derby.
The Reds go into this match after sealing their progress through to Quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League with a victory of Olympique de Marseille, and, like United did, Bolton also secured their place in the Semifinals of the FA Cup last weekend.
On top of their recent cup success, both clubs are enjoying very good seasons in the Premier League as well, so it should come as no surprise that Bolton will push United to the brink again.
Under the guidance of Owen Coyle, the Wanderers have already amassed more points this season, 40, than they did the entire 2009/10 season (39). Bolton are currently in 7th place in the league, but their and Stoke City’s progress in the FA Cup has eliminated the chance of the 6th place finisher qualifying for the Europa League.
About
Under the guidance of Owen Coyle, the Wanderers have already amassed more points, 40, in his first season in charge than they did the entire 2009/10 season (39), which has been down to their organization at the back. The Whites’ defense is anchored by Gary Cahill, who scored two of his three goals in their last league match against Aston Villa, but his central defensive partner, Knight, has a serious knee injury that will keep him on the sidelines against United.
So far this season, the Trotters have given up 27 goals fewer than they did all of last season, but Bolton also has the chance to surpass the amount of goal they scored as well. Johan Elmander has struck a partnership with Kevin Davies and the pair have scored 16 goals in the Premier League, but the loan signing of Daniel Sturridge from Chelsea and reemergence of Ivan Klasnic has challenged them for places up front.
The only down fall to Bolton’s impressive season is that they have struggled away from the Reebok, producing only two wins from their 14 matches – which will excite the United attackers. Being labeled as a bruising team, it is amazing to see that Coyle has four out-and-out strikers on their books at the same time, which could see another end-to-end Greater Manchester derby.
Previously
Back in September, Manchester United was forced to come-from-behind twice to secure a 2-2 draw with the Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium. On two separate occasions, Zat Knight and Martin Petrov gave Bolton a lead, but Nani and Michael Owen were able to peg them back, however, United was unable to find the goal that would have given them all three points.
At that stage, the Reds were trailing league leaders, Chelsea, but, like they have done all season long, United blew a very good chance to stamp their imprint in the standings.
News
The major talking point from the Reds perspective is how Sir Alex Ferguson is going to line up defensively, because of all of the injuries to the back-four. John O’Shea and Rafael suffered hamstring injuries in the win over Marseille, and Rio Ferdinand, who might miss the rest of season, and Nemanja Vidic are suffering from calf injuries that will see them miss the match against Bolton.
The Bolton match will also be the last one before Sir Alex starts serving his ridiculous five-match ban for criticizing, or speaking the truth, against a referee that had it out for United – again. Manchester United has nine more Barclays Premier League matches left, so they can ill-afford to drop any points, but Bolton, like they usually do, will offer a real challenge for the Reds at Old Trafford.
Treatment
Out: O. Hargreaves (hamstring), R. Ferdinand (calf), N. Vidic (calf), J. S. Park (hamstring), P. Scholes (suspension), Anderson (knee); Questionable: J. Evans (ankle), M. Owen (hamstring)
Projected
E. van der Sar; D. Fletcher, W. Brown, C. Smalling, N. Vidic, P. Evra; Nani, R. Giggs, M. Carrick, A. Valencia; W. Rooney, J. Hernandez
Prediction
Manchester United 2 Bolton Wanderers 1
Submitted by The United Religion
