EPL - Bolton vs Manchester United - Mar 27

zocoss SG

Saturday, 27 March 2010

Channel 27: 1.30 am (Live) (Sun morning)

Premier League Game 32

Man United:

Van Der Sar, Evra, Ferdinand, Fabio, Vidic, Rafael, Park, Carrick, Fletcher, Valencia, Berbatov, Scholes, Giggs, Rooney, Neville, Foster, Obertan, Nani, Evans, Kuszczak, Gibson, Diouf.

Out: Anderson, Brown, Owen, Hargreaves, Macheda, O'Shea.

Rooney9 SG

Bolton away is not easy. United may struggle to win, but a win nevertheless. anything other than a win and if arsenal were to win and united were to draw, arsenal may go level on points with united, but united goal difference is better than arsenal. 3 April is a crucial game for both united and chelsea. chelsea will need to beat united at Old Trafford. if united can beat chelsea at home, it can once and for all spell the kiss of death for chelsea title aspirations this season.

zocoss SG

What I am worry is, United may sent out a second team cos of their CL match 3 days later against Bayern... The likes of Fletcher, Rooney, Valencia and Rio might be rested and in their places comes Gibson, Diouf, Obertan and Evans...

mrwonderful SG

now every EPL match is as crucial as CL. plus is bayern... german teams = cmi. sure get their asses kicked by MU.

i not MU fan but i think MU will win the title again. they show the most consistency, got a large pool of talent and rooney is super on form.

Poignant SG

utd cannot afford to lose this game. the 3 points is a must to take home.

if not, the win against liverpool will be wasted.

Rooney9 SG

Wayne Rooney should be fit for Manchester United's trip to Bolton

Wayne Rooney scored his 33rd goal of the season during Manchester United's win over Liverpool. Photograph: Jon Super/AP

Wayne Rooney should be fit to lead Manchester United's title challenge at Bolton Wanderers this weekend, despite concerns the striker suffered an injury in the defeat of Liverpool.

The England international limped away from Old Trafford on Sunday having scored his 33rd goal of a remarkable campaign in the 2-1 victory over Rafael Benítez's team. United have not confirmed the nature of Rooney's problem but the 24-year-old, who missed the 1-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers this month with a knee injury, was not among those players who reported for treatment at the club's Carrington complex today.

Only United's injured contingent were expected at the training ground, with the rest of the first-team squad given the day off, and Rooney's non-appearance has eased fears that he aggravated or sustained a problem during a typically hard‑fought clash with Liverpool.

Rooney suffered inflamed tendons in a kneecap following England's friendly against Egypt on 3 March, when his 86-minute appearance at Wembley prompted Sir Alex Ferguson to suggest the striker's determination to play had contributed to the injury and subsequent absence at Molineux. Sunday marked the striker's 45th game this season, with the demands of the Premier League title race, Champions League and a World Cup to come.

Michael Owen, meanwhile, has admitted he has no chance of featuring this season but remains committed to his contract despite the frustrations of his first season in Manchester.

Owen, who suffered a detached hamstring in the Carling Cup final victory over Aston Villa, also revealed he has an option for a third season at United as part of his free transfer from Newcastle United last summer.

The 30-year-old said: "I had the operation two weeks ago, so I'm going to be on crutches for six weeks now. I'm not allowed to do anything on it for six weeks, so I am definitely out for the season. I'm just looking to next season now. And I'll be back in a United jersey.

"I've got another year left on my contract here and have the option of a third as well. I've had a great time here and I am really looking forward to being back next season."

Meanwhile, Rio Ferdinand has stressed his side's enthusiasm for the pressure of the Premier League title chase. "This is probably the best title run-in for years," said the England captain. "There are three teams in it, which makes it fantastic for the fans and the neutrals to watch."

Goh gilbert SG

Man U to win 3_1

Bus&Soccer l0v3r (VO3x 1) SG

Bolton hmm

if that Lee can score against Man U

Man U to win tis match

first goal by Rooney or Berbatov

Rooney9 SG

United got a midweek match with Bayern to look forward to, after the bolton game. it could be that Rooney will miss the bolton match and is available for the bayern game in midweek. hope this can give rooney more time to recover in time for the bayern game. can play berbatov as the lone attacker against bolton.

zocoss SG

Gary Cahill has declared himself ready for action after fearing for his long-term future. The central defender could now be pitched into Bolton's showdown with league leaders Manchester United at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday.

That would be Cahill's first senior appearance since January 30 as he has spent the last two months recovering from a blood clot that led to him undergoing surgery to remove a section of a rib.

"It came as a total shock to me and, at first, I feared the worst and thought it was going to be long term," Cahill told the Bolton News.

"But I've come back a lot earlier and quicker than some people thought, and it's good to be back."

After coming through 90 minutes in the reserves on Monday, Cahill added: "You would have to ask the gaffer, but I'd like to think that's me finished in the reserves.

"I've proved I'm fit to play 90 minutes and that was a big thing, so this weekend I'm available for selection."

Fellow defender Zat Knight, meanwhile, is convinced Bolton can put a spanner in the works of United's championship charge.

Wanderers head into the game on the back of an impressive recent home run that has seen them take 10 points from the last 12 at the Reebok Stadium where they have kept four successive clean sheets.

Towering centre-back Knight believes Bolton can build on that, despite facing a United side going for their fourth consecutive title.

"It's going to be a tough game, but our home form has served us well in the last few months," said Knight.

"Anything you get against Manchester United is still a good result at home.

"On the road, it's hard, but any time you have a game at home then you expect to get something from it."

zocoss SG

I rather they put everything they got here than against Bayern... Cos this match is not going to be easy at all and United could seriously drop some points here if they don't go all out... I rather they treat the CL as the second priority and go for the league instead... But the CL is where the big money is...

Ashianamarley SG

hope that Manchester United win this match.

omgukilledkenny SG

EPL>UCL!!!

Shidreth SG

hope man utd will win on their every match... I will get rich if thats the case^_^

Rooney9 SG

We're going for goals

In theory the team with the most points come 9 May will be crowned champions, but Sir Alex Ferguson admits he would not be surprised if the destiny of the Barclays Premier League title was decided by goal difference.

Just three points separate United, Chelsea and Arsenal at the top of the table, with United and Chelsea locked on +47 apiece on goal difference.

The Gunners are seven behind on +40, but as Chelsea proved this week with their 5-0 thumping of Portsmouth, it only takes one game to turn things around in the goal stakes.

"Chelsea’s win the other night has brought them level with us on goal difference and goals could be important,” insisted Sir Alex.

"I've said that a few times over the years but I just have a feeling I’m going to be right this time. We’ve always been in a strong position with goal difference over the years, but it’s very tight this time.

“The only way to solve it from our perspective is to win our games starting with Bolton on Saturday.”

Many believe Arsene Wenger’s side have an advantage with their fixtures over the coming few weeks,

but Sir Alex isn’t so sure.

“On paper they have the easier run-in, but at this time of the season I’m not sure that theory works or means anything,” he said.

“You can drop points anywhere as Chelsea did at Blackburn and your advantage on paper all of a sudden doesn’t look so good.

“I don’t think you can say with certainty you’d be confident going anywhere at this time of the season and winning.

"We just have to rely on our experience and hopefully we can keep a relatively clean bill of health between now and the end of the season.

“The name of the game is to win your games and hopefully we can do that. That’s our best way of looking forward.”

Rooney9 SG

Match Pack: Bolton

With Chelsea and Arsenal potentially moving ahead of the Reds in their 3 o'clock kick-offs on Saturday, United must keep up the pace in the tea-time start at Bolton...

Form guide: Bolton are now pretty much safe from relegation, and look much more steady under Owen Coyle. Their form overall remains a little erratic. Their last four games have yielded a 2-1 win at West Ham, a 4-0 loss at Sunderland, a 4-0 win against Wigan, and a 2-0 defeat to Everton. But at home they have proved very difficult to beat this year. United, on the other hand, have lost just once in the last 13 in all competitions, scoring 35 goals.

Ins and outs: Wayne Rooney is fit to play - although could he be rested, with Chelsea and Bayern Munich ties to follow? United are without long-term absentees Wes Brown (metatarsal), Michael Owen (hamstring), Anderson (knee) and John O'Shea (thigh), while Owen Hargreaves continues his rehab from double knee surgery. Out for Bolton are Chris Basham (knee), Gavin McCann (ankle), Sean Davis (ankle) and Joey O'Brien (knee).

Star men: Kevin Davies is a handful, and Chung-yong Lee and Jack Wilshere are technically gifted, but keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen is likely to be the key man against United.

Manager: Owen Coyle (did you know his middle name is Columba?) has steered Bolton into a safe position in the league. He's got the Trotters organised in defence and playing some decent football at times. He's also made the Reebok Stadium a fortress, losing only once there in his reign - his first game in charge, a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal. "We are in terrific form at the Reebok and if we show our spirit and desire and our undoubted quality, then that will serve us well," he says.

Referee: Martin Atkinson has taken charge of three United games this season - 4-3 home win over City, 0-1 defeat at Chelsea in November, 0-1 loss to Aston Villa at Old Trafford.

Rivals watch: Chelsea v Aston Villa; Birmingham v Arsenal (both Saturday 15:00 GMT).

omgukilledkenny SG

Two good saves by VDS so far.

Poignant SG

how bolton 'scored' that own goal was simply amazing

omgukilledkenny SG

5-star performance from Vidic. His best game this season?

Evans played very well at the back too.

Rooney9 SG

Berbatov scored 2 goals and Nani created 2 goals.