Manchester United v. Bolton Wanderers
17/10/2009, 22:00
(02) MAN: W03-03 D01-00 L00-01 F09-10 A06-02
(13) BOL: W00-02 D02-00 L02-01 F05-05 A07-04
Sir Alex will have to without Wayne Rooney (calf injury) when the Red Devils host Bolton here at the Old Trafford today. The England international will look to this break as an excellent chance to rest ahead of that upcoming CL tie against CSKA Moscow netx Wednesday. There is no need to press the panic button as there si enough depth in the Man-U side to handle the visitors today.
Up front, there is still Dimitar Berbatov and he will seize the opportunity to play despite having personal commitments after becoming a new father. Berbatov has been in Rooney's shadows since arriving here from Spurs. With the home side's top striker being indisposed, the Bulgarian will shine as he normally does at Spurs where he was brightest spark and the club's the lethal hit man.
Berbatov will be partnered with Michael Owen, another striker that has been under siege after moving out of Newcastle. No doubt he will also take this opportunity to prove that he still has a lot in him though it must be said that he has lost his as shine, perhaps due to the lack of exposure being amongst the likes of Rooney and Berbatov in Man-U's hierarchy.
Sure, Man-U is weakened by the absence of Rooney but trust Sir Alex's foresight when he did not make any special signings for a new striker with the proceeds of the sale of Ronaldo and Tevez to replace them. After all they are hosting Bolton and they ought not have too much problem of getting all 3 points if at all they hope to be able to retain their crown this season.
No doubt, the off-form Ferdinand and Vidic will have lots of problem with Kevin Davies but Vidic aerial ability in set pieces can match if not better than that of Davies. The tussle in the midfield where the battle is usually won or lost will be dominated by the home side. With the experienced Scholes, Carrick and Giggs it is hard to envisage the visitors having a greater share of the ball.
An easy win for the home side – bet on it!
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