Bolton Wanderers v Manchester United

Headshot

V

Date: Saturday 27th March 2010

Time: 17.30pm

live on ESPN

Manchester United travel to Bolton on the back of a return to the Premier League summit, although they will face a tough test against Owen Coyle's side.

Sir Alex Ferguson saw his team defeat bitter rivals Liverpool 2-1 last time out despite falling behind to an early Fernando Torres goal, and the win was enough to take them ahead of Arsenal.

Chelsea's win in midweek brought them within a point of United and Ferguson will be keen to avoid any slip-ups that could hand the initiative back to their title challengers.

The Red Devils will also have eye on Tuesday's UEFFA Champions League quarter-final date with Bayern Munich, hoping no injuries are sustained at the Reebok for what is usually a physical encounter.

Bolton, meanwhile, have given themselves a great chance of securing Premier League safety under the stewardship of Coyle, who has guided them eight points clear of the drop places with seven games remaining.

Wanderers have picked up vital points from the teams around them, beating the likes of Wolves, West Ham and Wigan in recent weeks, although a defeat at on-song Everton tempered a steady run of form.

Coyle will no doubt believe his team can upset their opponent's title charge, and they can take heart from a spirited performance in the 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford in the reverse fixture earlier in the season.

The home clash represents a chance for the Trotters to put more daylight between themselves and the drop, ahead of two more tough tests against Champions League chasing Aston Villa and a trip to Chelsea.

United news:

United fans can breathe a huge sigh of relief at the news top-scorer Wayne Rooney is fit to feature, despite reports circulating he had picked up a knee injury.

Rooney had sustained a problem earlier this month and appeared to be limping heavily following the Liverpool triumph, however boss Ferguson insisted the striker was fully fit.

Paul Scholes is on contention for the trip after suffering an ankle injury, as is Ryan Giggs, who returned last week following a five week lay-off with a broken arm.

In another boost, defender John O'Shea (thigh) has returned to training and should be available from the beginning of April.

Bolton news:

The home side will welcome the return of highly-rated defender Gary Cahill following two-months out for the 24-year-old.

Cahill suffered from a blood clot that meant he had to undergo surgery to remove a section of a rib, but 90 minutes for the reserves on Monday ensures he is in contention.

Coyle will be forced to shuffle his defensive pack after Gretar Steinsson was sent-off during the defeat to Everton, meaning Sam Ricketts could be restored to the back four.

Chris Basham, Gavin McCann, Sean Davis and Joey O'Brien all remain sidelined for the Wanderers boss.

Hopefully utd can finish of Bolton early so we can rest a few for the Bayern match

this would be my line up

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vds

---

raf

---

Rio

---

vidic

---

evra
val

---

fletch

---

carrick

---

giggs

---

Berba

---

Rooney

---

0-2 utd

starbelgrade

I was just about to post this as a new thread when I saw this. I hate you, Headshot.

Vanbis

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Vds

---

Nev

---

Rio

---

Vidic

---

Evra
Vale

---

Fletch

---

Scholes

---

Nani

---

Berba

---

Rooney

---

3-0, Rooney and Berbatov to get the goals.

starbelgrade

By the time we kick-off, Arsenal & Chelsea will both have played. No pressure so.

gar120

vds
raf

---

rio

---

vida

---

evra
carrick

---

fletcher----scholes
Valencia

---

Nani
Berbatov

1-3 Utd
Berbatov, Nani, Vidic

Mr.Nice Guy

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VDS

---

Nev

---

Rio

---

Vidic

---

Evra
Val

---

Fletch

---

Scholes

---

Giggs

---

Berba

---

Rooney

---

I think this is a squeaky bum time type of match. I will say United to edge it 2-1.

starbelgrade

---

vds

---

Nev

---

Rio

---

vidic

---

evra
val

---

fletch

---

Scholes

---

Nani

---

Berba

---

Rooney

---

1-2 utd

Bukman13

Vanbis wrote: »

---

Vds

---

Nev

---

Rio

---

Vidic

---

Evra
Vale

---

Fletch

---

Scholes

---

Nani

---

Berba

---

Rooney

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3-0, Rooney and Berbatov to get the goals.

This would be my guess too, With Carrick and Park both coming back in to the side for the trip to Bayern.

Giggs will probably come on for 30mins or so, to give either Valencia or Nani a rest.

flahavaj

Bad feeling about this for no apparent reason.

RasTa

Up early and heading over to this one, don't feel anything in terms of a scoreline at the moment.

ShamoBuc

A 1-1 draw even though Utd will be well on top.

3hn2givr7mx1sc

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VDS

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Rafael--Vidic--Ferdinand--Evra
Valencia--Fletch--Carrick--Park
---Rooney

---

Berba

I think it'll be something like that, with Nani, Giggs and Diouf to come on in the second half(barring a first half injury).

No idea what the score will be, but I have United at minus 1 so please win by more than a goal!:p

starbelgrade

RasTa wrote: »

Up early and heading over to this one, don't feel anything in terms of a scoreline at the moment.

Looking forward to your reports! (Probably some time on Tuesday!)

enviro

Utd to win it 0-1.

I can see Utd going on a clean sheet run.

killwill

Vanbis wrote: »

---

Vds

---

Nev

---

Rio

---

Vidic

---

Evra
Vale

---

Fletch

---

Scholes

---

Nani

---

Berba

---

Rooney

---

3-0, Rooney and Berbatov to get the goals.

This team but swap Nani with Valencia and Giggs on the left. 1-3 United. Hopefully early goals too so we can rest a few players for Tuesday. Would hate to see Fletch, Valencia or Rooney injured. They will without doubt be our three most important players next Tuesday.

Peyton Manning

Hopefully Arsenal and Chelsea will drop points. As nervous as we all are, United actually have the easiest fixture of the three. Should be a good day of football

ROCKMAN

Its that time of the year again ,where its all about results , Away to Bolton is always a tricky affair , Bolton will ask a few questions but we should be able to cope with them . A performance would be nice but I'll take a 0-1 scrappy affair .

MIN2511

Should be an easy game; but i have a feeling it would end 0-1

keano_afc

Come on the mighty Trotters. Cant see Utd dropping points, but it would be nice

Pepe LeFrits

Let's go Jacky boy!

kryogen

Bolton away has the potential to be quite tough

id be tempted to stick to the 451 but this defence is one of those that Berba could be the key to unlocking so i wanna go 442

with Fletch and Scholes in the middle

Le King

0-2


Fletcher and Rooney. Hopefully. Hate playing against Bolton! Have a really bad feeling about today.

kryogen

oh, forgot to say, after a frustrating first half i think we should hopefully get a breakthrough in the second and win it an ugly 0-1

have a bad feeling about the game tbh

Johner

G'wan Bolton.

Bye thread.

ziggyman17

I reckon Rooney will be on the bench today, considering we have munich on tuesday.. I can see it being a tricky game, It will be like Boltons cup final..

Dancor

5-0 to MU

ShamoBuc

I expect a tough game and it could end in a draw

3hn2givr7mx1sc

ShamoBuc wrote: »

A 1-1 draw even though Utd will be well on top.

ShamoBuc wrote: »

I expect a tough game and it could end in a draw

ShamoBuc

A 'tough' game , hard tackles etc.... Utd can still be on top in a tough game.
Whats not to understand? Sorry if its confusing for you.

Mars Bar

ShamoBuc wrote: »

A 'tough' game , hard tackles etc.... Utd can still be on top in a tough game.
Whats not to understand? Sorry if its confusing for you.

It reads like a contradiction!

KevIRL

Hearing that Rooney isnt in the squad

MagicMarker

KevIRL wrote: »

Hearing that Rooney isnt in the squad

Hearing from who?

ziggyman17

Rooney on the bench at best today..

3hn2givr7mx1sc

ShamoBuc wrote: »

A 'tough' game , hard tackles etc.... Utd can still be on top in a tough game.
Whats not to understand? Sorry if its confusing for you.

What mars bar said.:)

Also, was there a need to post it twice, or are you just post count whoring?

Bukman13

BBC five live has said he is not in the squad.

homer simpson

I put this down as a draw, Bolton Away is always a tricky enough fixture and always seem to up their game for the top teams, now i hear rooney is on the bench i feel a Bolton win comming on.

ziggyman17

Rio not starting either.. Vidic and Evans instead..

3hn2givr7mx1sc

MUTV have no team news yet..

3hn2givr7mx1sc

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VDS

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Nev--Vida--Evans--vra
Fletch--Scholes
Valencia--Giggs--Nani

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Berba

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Macheda, De Laet, Carrick, Park, Rafael, Gibson and PiG on bench
Rooney and Ferdinand being rested.

MagicMarker

baz2009 wrote: »

---

VDS

---

Nev--Vida--Evans--vra
Fletch--Scholes
Valencia--Giggs--Nani

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Berba

---

Macheda on bench.

Ugh, is Rooney on the bench?

3hn2givr7mx1sc

MagicMarker wrote: »

Ugh, is Rooney on the bench?

Nope.:(

homer simpson

Now this could be a major turning point in the season TBH, chelsea looking like winning 6-1 up now, and arsenal have just gone one up....any of you UTD fans nervous yet????

C'mon Bolton :D:D

Headshot

so much for saf saying there wasnt anything wrong with Rooneys knee

flahavaj

Pressure on now lads, my uneasy feeling just got twice as bad.:(

3hn2givr7mx1sc

homer_simpson wrote: »

Now this could be a major turning point in the season TBH,

chelsea looking like winning 6-1 up now, and arsenal have just gone one up

....any of you UTD fans nervous yet????

C'mon Bolton :D:D

I'd suggest using spoiler tags.

Mars Bar

I think it's best I don't have dinner before this match...

PHB

I think that could be enough to win it. Decent enough team either way.

curry-muff

Headshot wrote: »

so much for saf saying there wasnt anything wrong with Rooneys knee

He is clearly just resting him, Bayern and Chelsea inside 4 days next week, id be resting him too :rolleyes:

Paul Tergat

Now im very worried.

Cmon United!

ntlbell

More than enough fire power to do a decent job on bolton

kryogen

I love you Kevin Philips!!!!