Man Utd v Bolton
Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has rejected reports that
Rio Ferdinand is suffering from a cracked rib and the defender is
fit to play. Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are out so Ryan
Giggs is set to partner Wayne Rooney in attack.
Cristiano RONALDO is United's top scorer with 17 goals. Of those 16
are in the Premiership, which leaves the Portugal World Cup star
two behind Chelsea's Didier Drogba at the head of the race for the
Barclays Golden Boot. Ryan GIGGS is a double short of 100 League
goals. Wayne ROONEY is one shy of 50 goals for the Red
Devils.
Bolton give Kevin Davies a late fitness test after the striker sat
out six games with a chipped bone in his ankle. Abdoulaye Meite is
expected to shake off a toe injury and return to the defence after
suspension.
Nicolas ANELKA is Bolton's leading scorer with 10 goals - nine in
the Premiership. Jussi JAASKELAIKEN is the only remaining player to
have been on the field for every minute of every one of Bolton's
Premiership matches this season.
Man Utd :
Kuszczak, Heaton, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Brown, Heinze, Evra,
Park, Ronaldo, O'Shea, Carrick, Giggs, Richardson, Eagles, Rooney,
Smith, Dong.
Bolton :
Jaaskelainen, Walker, Ben Haim, Meite, Hunt, Gardner, Nolan, Campo,
Speed, Anelka, Davies, Pedersen, Teymourian, Thompson, Diouf,
Giannakopoulos, Faye, Tal.
REFEREE
Alan Wiley (Burntwood, Staffordshire)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Man Utd boss Sir Alex Ferguson:
"This is a very important, massive game for us. "We are six points
clear of Chelsea with a fantastic goal difference, but we can only
look at ourselves and do what is in front of us. "The United
players have shown the composure they need to do that and they
certainly have the guts and determination to do it."
Bolton manager Sam Allardyce:
"United keep winning - they have the quality and the resilience to
turn a game in their favour at any time. "With winning the
confidence grows and you can see that throughout their side. "We
have to make sure we capitalise on any chances that come our way if
we are to take anything out of the game."
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Manchester United 4-1 Bolton Wanderers
31 December 2005 - Ref: Steve Bennett
Man United scorers: N'Gotty 8 og, Saha 44, Ronaldo 68, 90
Bolton scorer: Speed 33
THIS SEASON'S REVERSE FIXTURE
Bolton Wanderers 0-4 Manchester United
28 October 2006 - Ref: Rob Styles
Man United scorers: Rooney 10, 16, Ronaldo 82, Rooney 89
HEAD TO HEAD TOTALS
at Man United only
League: Man Utd 27 wins, Bolton 16 Draws 10
Prem: Man Utd 4 wins, Bolton 2, Draws 1
