Manchester United v Bolton

If Rooney and Owen are both out (hopefully Rooney will recover in time) I'd love to see King, Welbeck or Macheda given a start alongside Berbatov. Whatever we do I don't want to see either a single striker or Giggs being pushed up to play as a 2nd striker.
 
If Rooney isn't fit, I'd like King to make the bench at least.
 
Going to this one. I suspect the atmosphere will be dismal, but there you go.

2-0.
 
Hmm, tough one now this, especially if (worst case scenario) we can't / don't use Anderson, Valencia, Park, Owen, or Rooney. We could try something like this:

Foster
O'Shea Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Carrick Scholes Fletcher
Nani Berbatov Giggs
--
Subs: Kuszczak; Neville, Brown; Gibson, Tosic; Welbeck, Macheda​

But Fergie wouldn't ever go 433 at Old Trafford against a side like Bolton, would he? (unless it's gone 60 minutes and we really need a goal maybe). I also somewhat doubt he'd want to use all three of our first choice central midfielders that would be available from the off, so he could bring another on later. Welbeck was terrible on the wing against Sunderland, but you can imagine Fergie giving him another chance there can't you? Or at least throwing him on as the second striker with Berbatov anyway. Nani was also poor in his last outing, perhaps even his last two outings, but he basically has to start as we'll likely not have any other wingers as match ready (other than Giggs). Maybe he needs a run of games, so this is his chance to try and impress again. While we're speaking of more chances, I honestly think Fergie would show faith in Foster still (if he has 'recovered'), if van der Sar is not fit enough to start. This could be Tosic's chance to show us what he can do as well. I think this might be a bit more likely, though:

Foster
O'Shea Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Nani Fletcher Carrick Giggs
Berbatov Welbeck
--
Subs: Kuszczak; Neville, Brown; Scholes, Gibson; Macheda​

Then, I'm torn between Tosic or King as to who makes the bench. However, Rooney and/or Owen could be fit, and perhaps even Valencia, Anderson, and Park might not be too tired from their travels and manage to play, and van der Sar could be back. If so, the side will look a good deal stronger.

Got to win this really.. Can't slip up at Old Trafford two games on the bounce, unheard of. It's a bit tricky though. We have to beat Bolton to make sure we're in a good situation against Liverpool the week after, as giving them any sniff of a chance to close us down would be terrible, I really think we have to win at Anfield as well to bury them already. However, we've got a trip to Moscow in-between Bolton and Liverpool, which could prove a little costly. Although, despite Liverpool playing at Anfield, they're against Lyon, which could offer up a surprise result. They're also away at Sunderland next, if Sunderland can produce the kind of display they did at Old Trafford, they might give Liverpool a game too.
 
Right now with Edwin making a comeback and seems to have come through it okay, plus taking into account the players who'll be coming back from far around the world and players with injury doubts, I'll go for:

------------------VDS------------------
O'Shea-------Rio------Vidic---------Evra
Nani-------Fletch------Scholes-----Giggs
-----------Rooney(?)--Berbatov---------

Now if Rooney isn't fit, plus not being entirely sure about Owen's injury either, I think SAF could start with either Kiko or Welbeck up front. We've seen a bit of Welbeck so far this season but not so much of Kiko so I'd be inclined to start him alongside Berba if in fact Rooney or Owen don't make it.
 
Fergie is gonna be Clattered

By CHARLIE WYETT
Published: Today



ALEX FERGUSON has got the referee who gives him most grief for Manchester United's Premier League return.

Mark Clattenburg - who has had explosive run-ins with Ferguson - takes charge of Bolton's visit to Old Trafford on Saturday.
A former top ref said last night the choice by the game's officiating board was an attempt to 'get' Fergie for blasting Alan Wiley's fitness.
The ex-FIFA ref said: "Clattenburg at Old Trafford? Brilliant. I'm sure they've done it on purpose to get at Ferguson over his treatment of Wiley and his pathetic 'apology'."
Ferguson, sweating on an FA charge for his Wiley attack, was given a two-match touchline ban and fined £5,000 for using "insulting words" against Clattenburg in November 2007.
He was also sent to the stands during the 1-0 defeat at Bolton.
Then Fergie blew his top at Clattenburg after he booked seven United players against Spurs in February last year. United were fined £25,000.
Clattenburg, taking charge of a United match for the first time since that Spurs clash, has publicly backed Wiley.
He said: "You try to be in the best position to make a decision and, forget about the politics of Alan's fitness levels, if you look back at his decision-making, it was practically faultless."
 
I don't think 45 minutes of reserve football is enough for a place on the bench. I don't expect to see him near the first team before the Carling Cup game.
 
BahamaRed said:
Fergie is gonna be Clattered

By CHARLIE WYETT
Published: Today



ALEX FERGUSON has got the referee who gives him most grief for Manchester United's Premier League return.

Mark Clattenburg - who has had explosive run-ins with Ferguson - takes charge of Bolton's visit to Old Trafford on Saturday.
A former top ref said last night the choice by the game's officiating board was an attempt to 'get' Fergie for blasting Alan Wiley's fitness.
The ex-FIFA ref said: "Clattenburg at Old Trafford? Brilliant. I'm sure they've done it on purpose to get at Ferguson over his treatment of Wiley and his pathetic 'apology'."
Ferguson, sweating on an FA charge for his Wiley attack, was given a two-match touchline ban and fined £5,000 for using "insulting words" against Clattenburg in November 2007.
He was also sent to the stands during the 1-0 defeat at Bolton.
Then Fergie blew his top at Clattenburg after he booked seven United players against Spurs in February last year. United were fined £25,000.
Clattenburg, taking charge of a United match for the first time since that Spurs clash, has publicly backed Wiley.
He said: "You try to be in the best position to make a decision and, forget about the politics of Alan's fitness levels, if you look back at his decision-making, it was practically faultless."
Click to expand...

If that quote is true, then we are quite entitled to question the integrity of the refereeing fraternity.
 
Doevle said:
Any updates on Rooney?
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No news is good news, Rooney will play.
Cant believe people think Obertan will be involved, we have to have some
serious injury problems for him to be on the bench for a few weeks at least.
 
With Internationals finally out of the way i can actually start to look forward to this now. I'm always nervous about playing Bolton because it's where i'm from but there's no doubt we should beat them comfortably at Old Trafford.

3-0. Not sure on the team yet though but after watching Fabio for the reserves the other night i'd like to see him given a game at right back seeing as Bolton offer nothing going forward, especially in the wing areas. The only problem with that would be we'd miss O'Shea's height in set piece situations.

I'd like to see:

Foster
Fabio Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Valencia Fletcher Anderson Nani
Berbatov Rooney​

However i think this is more likely:

VDS
O'Shea Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Nani Fletcher Scholes Giggs
Berbatov Rooney​
 
Bolton have actually been playing some decent football of late. Their new Korean lad looks quite a decent technical player.

I think we'll win, but I don't envisage a thrashing. I think it'll be a bit of a nervy affair but we should come out 2-1 winners.

Not sure if Edwin is fit, so I'll have Foster in my starting XI. Foster had a very decent game for England midweek so he could keep his place regardless.

Carrick's past 2 appearances for the club have been very encouraging. He looks back to his best. Anderson is also in a bit of form, while Fletcher had a disappointing outing against Sunderland so I expect Carrick to partner Anderson in midfield. Valencia was missing in action for Ecuador in their crucial match yesterday so I can only assume he's picked up a knock. Nani and Giggs will probably start out wide. I think Rooney should be fit so he'll start.

I hope we get to see Tosic at some point in this match. He scored a great goal for Serbia midweek so sooner or later he should really get a chance.

Foster

O'Shea • Ferdinand • Vidic • Evra

Nani • Carrick • Anderson • Giggs

Berbatov • Rooney​

Substitutes:
Kuszczak
Brown
Fabio
Fletcher
Scholes
Tosic
Welbeck

Nani and Berbatov to score.
 
jrsenior said:
No news is good news, Rooney will play.
Cant believe people think Obertan will be involved, we have to have some
serious injury problems for him to be on the bench for a few weeks at least.
Click to expand...

Owen is out, so Obertan is probably natural choice?
 
johnmufc said:
Bolton have actually been playing some decent football of late.
Click to expand...

They've played decent football in just one match this season, granted it was their most recent game which was against Spurs. Other than that it's been utter utter dross. Hardly anything to worry about.
 
I need some advice: Im in the US right now, will be in Atlanta on Saturday ... I have yet to work out how to watch PL games over here. Can somebody stateside tell me how its done or send me a link or stream? Pretty please!!!

Thanks in advance
 
AlwynP said:
If Rooney isn't fit, I'd like King to make the bench at least.
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ahead of Macheda and Welbeck?! Why would you want to do that? Let King develop in his own time. Way too early for PL exposure methinks.
 
This will a a hard game ,Bolton always is.
If VDS is not fit ,I expect Bolton to try and unsettle Foster from the start, we need Rio to be playiing better than he has for Us and England.
We could have a few out with injuries , Rooney being the biggest blow if he is not fit.
Cant see Obertan having much to do with this game ,maybe on the bench and poss come on if the game is well won with 10 - 15 mins left.
I dont see a beating for Bolton ,I see a hard and edgey game , with Us winning 2-0 maybe 2-1.
 
I wonder how many "genuine mistakes" Twattenburg will make. The man is a disgrace to the integrity of the refereeing profession after the Merseyside derby. By allowing him back it shows that the refereeing association only ever intended "Respect" to be a one-way street, as that bastard has no respect for fairness and balance. He will clearly be on Bolton's side and will do whatever he can to influence the result. I fear another bad one here.
 
gaffs said:
Rooney out.

Berbatov still in Bulgaria after birth of daughter.
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Is that confirmed? Feck.

Berb will get back in time. I wonder if Owen is ready to start a game alongside him?

If not, Macheda or Welbeck could be in with a shout. Macheda put in his best performance of the season in his last reserves game.
 
ManUtd.com

United will face Bolton at Old Trafford on Saturday without Wayne Rooney, although Edwin van der Sar will start between the posts.

Sir Alex confirmed at his Friday morning press conference that England striker Rooney will miss the North-West derby and admitted he also had doubts over his availability for the Reds' Champions League fixture in Moscow next week.

"Rooney's out – that's the one certainty," the boss said. "We're doing our best to get him fit for Wednesday but I've got my doubts.

"Hopefully he'll be fit for Liverpool. We won't be taking risks in Moscow."

Rooney's absence is tempered by the return of van der Sar, who's not played a competitive fixture for the Reds since last season's Champions League final.

The goalkeeper, 38, injured his hand in a pre-season friendly but returned for United's Reserves on 6 October, keeping a clean sheet against Everton.

"Edwin's fit and he plays tomorrow," Sir Alex said. "His game in the Reserves was a confidence booster."
Click to expand...

Pitty about Rooney missing tomorrow but great that Edwin will be back.

Hopefully Owen is fit, and starts tomorrow up top with berbatov - felt they looked good together in preseason when they played.

Also kinda hoping Coleen has the baby this week now, ahead of the Liverpool game so that Rooney doesn't miss that game too. Remember reading previously that she was due around now, so hopefully it all goes well. Fingers crossed.
 
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