Manchester United v Bolton - Preview: Red Devils Looking To Avoid Three In A Row

MANCHESTER UNITED

v

BOLTON WANDERERS

Old Trafford, Manchester

January 14, 2011; 15:00 GMT

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Bolton Wanderers travel to Old Trafford in a bid to secure their third away win on the bounce that will enable them to move out of the dreaded drop zone. However, in their way stand champions Manchester United, who have been left licking their wounds in the past two league games after sufferingAi??embarrassing defeatsAi??to Blackburn and Newcastle.

United, after suffering those two losses, regained some of their lost confidence in a must win derby against Man City in the FA Cup last weekend. Although the Red Devils looked comfortable after the first half as they raced to a 3-0 lead, they were lucky in the end to hold on to the advantage as the 10-men City gave them a run for their money – much to the displeasure of Alex Ferguson. Nonetheless, the manager would have taken a win in a cup tie in an away game against City and will now be hoping that his team kicks on from here and go on, on another of their post Christmas runs that they have been famous for over the last 20 years or so.

Bolton, on the other hand, after the dizzy heights of last season, find themselves reeling in the drop zone with just five wins against their name. The Trotters have been inconsistent to say the least as they have won their last two away games but in between lost to Newcastle and managed only a draw against Wolves in the two home games. However, Owen Coyle is hopeful that his team will recover sooner rather than later and once again be showing the form of last season which won them plaudits from every direction.

Team News & Tactical Brief

Manchester United

The injury worries finally seem to be easing off for the Red Devils and Sir Alex Ferguson. After having as many as 13 players out with injury at one point in time, the manager has a lot more players to chose from for his matchday squad.

Smalling returned to the starting line-up against Man City, while Jonny Evans found a place on the bench, thus reducing the huge problems at the back which led to Carrick being deployed as a centre-back in the defeat to Blackburn. Anderson has also returned to full fitness while the signing of Paul Scholes has provided a much needed cover in the central midfield position in the absence of Cleverley and Fletcher who are still injured. Apart from these two, Michael Owen and Ashley Young are still missing while Vidic has already been ruled out for the rest of the season.

It will be interesting to see whether Fergie opts for De Gea or Lindegaard in goal. While the latter was picked in the previous two games, his error against Man City showed that his position as United’s no. 1 goalkeeper is still up for grabs. In defence, the manager might go for the same back four that was used at the Etihad Stadium with Jones and Evra used as full-backs and Smalling-Ferdinand partnership in central defence. It is rumoured that Ferdinand has a stomach bug, but he is likely to be fit for the game.

In the midfield, Ryan Giggs has played full ninety minutes in the last two maches, so he might be given a rest. Anderson, who was used as a sub in the last three games, might make his first start since the ‘demolition derby‘. Carrick could be starting alongside him while Nani and Valencia – who showed good form against City last week – are in contention to start on the wings. The pairing of Rooney and Welbeck, who performed so admirably at the Etihad stadium are almost certain to start once again with Welbeck leading the line and Rooney dropping deep to help out the midfield at times.

Probable Starting Line-upAi??(4-4-1-1) :Ai??De Gea (GK); Jones, Smalling, Ferdinand, Evra; Valencia, Carrick, Anderson, Nani; Rooney; Welbeck

Bolton Wanderers

Owen Coyle has a lot of long-term injury problems to his key players such as Stuart Holden andAi??LeeAi??Chung-Yong, but thankfully for him and his team he has no new casualties to deal with. However, there is a dilemma about the availability of defender Gary Cahill, for whom the club have already accepted the fee from Chelsea but the move is not complete yet as the player has failed to agree personal terms with the Blues.

Nevertheless, Coyle has stated that if the deal is not through by Saturday, Cahill will play against the champions. Also, keeperAi??Jaaskelainen will miss the game with a thigh injury whileAi??Alonso, Gardner, Sanli and Mears are still out.

Bolton are likely to go in with the same formation and perhaps the same set of personnel that did the job against Everton at Goodison Park. Coyle chose to go in with a 4-5-1 formation with David Ngog left upfront on his own and the striker could find himself in the same state at Old Trafford on Saturday.

He will be supported by Martin Petrov and former United man Chris Eagles at every attacking opportunity but as everyone knows, those are very few and far between for the visiting team at Old Trafford. The central midfield will be packed by Fabrice Muamba, Nigel Reo-Coker and Mark Davies as the three will look to stifle United and pass the ball to Eagles and Petrov at every opportunity.

At the back, Cahill could very well be seen in a Bolton shirt for the last time. However, if he does complete his signing, David Wheater will start alongside Zat Knight.Ai??Gretar Rafn Steinsson and Samuel Ricketts will be used as full-backs but neither are expected to go too much forward to help out the attack unless Bolton find themselves behind in the second half of the game.

Probable Starting Line-upAi??(4-4-2) : Bogdan (GK); Ricketts, Knight, Cahill, Steinsson; Petrov, Muamba, Reo-Coker, Davies, Eagles; Ngog

Key Match Facts

United have not lost three league games in a row since 2001.
Fergie’s men have scored in their last 40 home games.
Bolton have won just 1 of their last 18 league games against United.
Out of Bolton’s 5 victories this season, four have come away from home.

TheHardTackle’s Player To Watch Out For

Paul Scholes (Manchester United)

He is back!

The veteran’s return out of retirement left everyone in shock and surprise up and down the footballing world, but there will be no such things this coming weekend. Although the Ginger Prince is not expected to start this game, he is assured to get a Hero’s welcome if and when he comes on as a substitute. The Old Trafford faithful will already be relishing the fact that his dead accurate diagonal balls to the wings will once again be on show at the Theatre of Dreams.

TheHardTackle’s Prediction

Manchester United 3-0 Bolton Wanderers

After back to back losses against Blackburn and Newcastle, the Red Devils must have gained great confidence from their win at the Etihad Stadium. Fergie’s men have always been better in the second half of the season and this might just be the time they kicked on once again.