Oct 17
Manchester United vs Bolton: Preview
International week is finally over and at last we can look forward to the return of the Premier League. The international break probably couldn’t have come at a better time in fairness as most of the lads were afforded the opportunity to escape from the club environment following the pedestrian performance against Sunderland.
Bolton at the Reebok is never easy. Bolton at Old Trafford, on the other hand, should be fairly straightforward. Although following the events of a couple of Saturday’s ago and the fact that Wayne Rooney is out, the Trotters at home becomes a far tougher hurdle to negotiate.
Anyone who watched England’s victory over Belarus in midweek will have noticed Ben Foster nudged his way back into international contention. While he still looks as nervous as ever when the ball’s in the air, a world class save from point blank range certainly went some way in helping him book a spot on the plane destined for South Africa.
Unfortunately for Foster, it looks like sporadic appearances in the Carling Cup await him for the rest of this season at United. Edwin van der Sar’s long awaited return is finally upon us as the Dutchman successfully completed ninety minutes for the reserves last Tuesday and his first team return now looks rather ominous.
John O’Shea should resume at right-back following a string of impressive displays with Patrice Evra bombing up and down the left. While I don’t want to be drawn into the Rio Ferdinand debate too much, my argument is that form is temporary, class is permanent. Rio is certainly lacking confidence at the moment and you’d be foolish to ignore that point but the only way Fergie is going to build his confidence back up will be by giving him games. I would be surprised, nay shocked, if Rio didn’t line up alongside Vidic on Saturday.
In midfield, both Nani and Valencia scored for their respective nations over the past week and will be battling it out for a starting berth on the right. Following a prolonged period of rest one would suspect Ryan Giggs will get the nod but it becomes something of a guessing game for the central midfield pairing. Given that Scholes should be afforded plenty of room to assert his authority, expect him to start alongside Fletcher.
Upfront it would appear that Michael Owen has managed to shake off his recent groin problem so he should start and depending on whether Berbatov returns from Bulgaria in time, Ryan Giggs may be moved into a more advanced position. Coincidentally, one more league goal for the Welshman and that’s his 100th in the Premier League.
From a statistical perspective Ferguson should be full of confidence heading into the game having triumphed over Bolton in eight of the last nine Premier League meetings.
As for the pre-match comment, Ferguson has hailed Ben Foster as England’s best option in the goalkeeping department.
“I still feel he [Foster] is the best English goalkeeper around,” the United boss said.
“He has been outstanding in a lot of things. The save he made on Wednesday [for England against Belarus] was typical of his performance level with us, too. They are a demonstration of the guy’s ability.
“But he still has not had a lot of game time and experience. His injuries have curtailed the progress he was making.
“He is only going to get better, though, and there is no question he will be a fantastic goalkeeper.”
Bolton boss Gary Megson, meanwhile, has insisted that he won’t go to Old Trafford with the same mentality as the Sunderland side that claimed a point a fortnight ago.
“Sunderland got a good result there two weeks ago, but it doesn’t mean to say everybody going there is going to get a good result,” he said.
“It’s not a blueprint, the way Sunderland played – the game just went that way for them.
“To play exactly the same way Sunderland do, or like any other team, you have got to have exactly the same players – so we have just got to go there and look at what is best for ourselves, not at what other football clubs have done in the past.”
After last weekend I’m sure most United fans, myself included, would just be happy with three points and a decent performance whatever the final result on Saturday. It will certainly prove a big test with regards to our ability to cope without Rooney and what a golden chance this could be for one Michael Owen.
Prediction: 2-0 United
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- SAF Sounds Words of Caution | Safety Arrangements for Roma
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (541)
Stephen (479)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Craig Mc (345)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
@Gabriel: not many i guess theyre expecting a more competitive game with the scouse loosing at the half they seem right
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NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO not scholes
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please dont concede a pen
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man, this is one way traffic here!! Bolton are on the assault!!!
C’mon scholesy, slow the game down and keep possession for us… who else is expecting a scholes yellow in the space of five mins?? 
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@Gabriel: The United game is on setanta, which I don’t have. Normaly I would go to the pub and watch it, but I didn’t get home fromwork till 4am.
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feking ref blocks our threw pass on goal thanks asshole
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@Johnsom33: it’s cool man… was just wondering… maybe u thought foster was playing and didn’t want to bother watchin
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berba is getting abused and needs some help from the officials
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put it in boys
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top o the league top o the league
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7 mins added on for Scouse-Sunderland game.
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7 min extra for pool
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@Gabriel: The foster discussion has run it’s course mate.
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get in!!!!!!
Nerve-wracking end to that one. We shuld definitely have finished that game off sooner, nevertheless, kudos to Giggs, Valencia, Berbatov, Anderson, Evra and the rest, put in a good team effort today and it was a lovely attacking game. Unto Moscow now, three points, a morale boost and then the bin-dippers nxt weekend!! 
god, how I missed United! 
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sunderland is more massive than citeh
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TOP OF THE TABLE!!!
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Now relying on Gordon to keep Sunderland in.
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well done lads on a day that saw the challengers fall
win tha league win tha league were the famous man united and were going to win tha league.
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It sucks missing a united win, but watching Liverpool lose is the next best thing.
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FULL TIME at SUNDERLAND!!!!
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@Johnsom33:
don’t mind me, just jesting 
… how’s the scouse game?? Did Liverpool really deserve ’7 MINUTES’ of added time?? 
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How did EVS play? Did he show any signs of rust?
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how are we going to feel come the end of the season with the prem and pool out of the top 4 hahahaha
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@Gabriel: Yeah Sunderland had 2 injured players so 7 minutes was fair
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@Johnsom33: pretty much did okay!! I will say that the defenders looked more at ease with him in goal. One thing that VDS has that hasn’t really been highlighted is his dexterity with both feet. You can pass the ball to him on either side and he is comfortable with it and can clear it accurately. Plus, he does have that experience… gona be tough for Foster and Kuszcy now.
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it was easy sloppy win? lol
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@gator: even better if we beat them at anfield nxt weekend to put the final nail in the coffin to their title credentials
oh football gods, pls do us this favour 
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@Johnsom33: Lets just say that if Foster had conceded the goal Bolton scored, people would be crowing about being rooted to the spot, or not coming for the cross.
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I unfortunately didn’t watch the game. I’m so mad. Anyway if any balanced person would kindly let me know of the following players’ performances: 1. Berbatov 2. Anderson 3. Owen 4. Valencia in that order of preference.
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@Johnsom33: A crappy clearance, and a flap at the ball. Other then that, he did OK.
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@Jay wire:
Berbatov – Magnificent (Vega)
Anderson – Energetic (Balrog)
Owen – Intelligent (Dhalsim)
Valencia – Mercurial (Fei long)
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Berbatov played well, was unlucky not to score and his lay offs were top class as usual just no one converted them into goals.
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Well I am going to keep this short and sweet……..NOT. Disappointed with the performance although I am happy we won and elated that both Chelsea and Liverpool lost. Does anyone really want the EPL crown this year? As average and underperforming as we have been, it seems to me that we are the only team not squandering points by the boatload at the moment. I still fear Chelsea and I think Arsenal will be there at the end. I am starting to believe though that Liverpool has shown themselves to be a sham.
Now about the game. It’s so typical that after a week where Berbatov scored four goals that he would come back to United and be forced to play the role of an AMF. I am personally sick of watching him play everywhere but in the box where he belongs. This is not his fault, but Fergie’s. He’s wasting a great goal scorer by asking him to literally take on the responsibilities that none of his midfielders are capable of. This will not change until Ferguson wakes up to the realization that he needs an attacking midfielder like Silva.
Owen and Berba were strong up front but had nothing to show for their efforts. I was going to say that Neville was having a good game until he completely fucked things up on the Bolton goal by being out of position, then getting the ball at his feet and instead of clearing it, he gave it right back to the Bolton player who crossed it in to Taylor who was in a terrible mismatch with the Hobbit Evra for that free header. Why was Jonny Evans not more aggressive with the player bringing the ball up just above the 18 yard box? Why was neville not in position to take the left winger out of the game? Why was Rio forced to go out there and cover him and why did he give him five yards freedom to get in that cross rather than get much closer to him? Why did the duty of guarding Taylor in the box end up being taken by a Hobbit while Evans was doing anything. And although it was probably an impossible header to stop, why didn’t EVDS at least try to dive for it? That goal really bothered the Hell out of me because it pointed out all the problems that has been wrong with our back four all season. Out of position, lack of intensity and concentration, poor in the air, allowing mismatches and not being aggressive on the tackle and on marking by allowing to much space for attackers to take advantage of.
Very disappointing because United should be winning games like this at home by 3-0 and 4-0 scores. Instead we squeaked by 2-1 and were very lucky on one of the goals. Sure we missed a lot of chances but you know something, so did Bolton. Yet despite this shite of a performance, we win and unbelievably, we are now in first place. Has the EPL really gotten so incredibly ordinary. Are the top four no longer dominant?
A win is a win and for that I am relieved. But thew reason I am writing this hours after the game is because I was under no circumstances going to wake up at 6:00 am to watch what I was sure was going to be another boring, tactically nauseating display by Man Utd. And i was right. Sure there were positives like Valencia’s play, Giggs, Berba’s distribution and Owens’ smarts and even Neville made a nice play on the second goal, but my God, am I the only one who is having a problem with this team’s lack of intensity, focus, killer instinct and spark? This club is playing at half gear and is very disorganized at the back and it doesn’t seem to be improving one bit. Offensively we are clueless at times and lack the take charge player who stamps his presence on the game. I mean we are winning but man this is boring stuff lads. Sorry for being greedy, but I expect a lot more for my buck.
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This is really rich from the Boss considering the massive debt this team is carrying and the fact that it doesn’t really look to be getting smaller every year despite the profits and despite the 80 million for Ronaldo and despite the fact that we used three nickels and a piece of lint to purchase players this year. All this and our debt is still a mountain to overcome and Fergie is blaming others with deep pockets about there spending practices?
If I was Fergie I’d throw my comments more at the Glazer’s and ask them where all the profits and Ronaldo money are when the debt looks unserviced? Hypocricy has no favorites it seems. 
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1220931/Manchester-United-manager-Sir-Alex-Ferguson-warns-rivals-City-Chelsea-Youre-heading-financial-meltdown.html
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@Grognard: Wow Grog, never pegged you as the cynical type
We played excellently today and were justifiably rattled after we conceded that goal. It happens, our team are not a bunch of cyborgs, immune to inconsistency, mistakes or tiredness. Up until that goal by Bolton, we were in total control of the game, creating chances, just not finishing them off.
What I reckon you fail to include in your rationale is the fact that the rest of the league is improving. Look at chelsea, a team so good in the air, conceding both their goals from aerial set plays; or liverpool, losing to Sunderland; or Arsenal, losing to Man City. The league is tough, and the fact that we are top of the table should be indication that we are doing something right. It has nothing to do with luck.
You also mention the positives, yet underplay them like they were just happenstance. Giggs, Berbatov and co have been putting in increasingly solid perofrmances so far this season and it stands to say they can only get better. As a team, we played excellently today, there was pace, fluidity and excitement in our game today; maybe if you took off the scrutinising lenses off, you just might enjoy a game everyone else seemed to enjoy.
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Btw Gabriel, thanx for the update. I can’t stand missing United games. I’m glad that there was a good team performance. Seems Berba was in top form and for that I’m happy. Hope my boy Andy can keep improving his game. This was no doubt a big confidence booster for Tony. Not only scoring but also playing well throughout. That should go a long way in settling the nerves and get him started. Good run for Owen too. These are important games for him and if he and The Count can do it big on Wed then we can look forward to Sunday. I’ll make certain I won’t miss the Moscow game. Nani will probably start to make certain Giggs is super ready for Big Sunday. Scholes will play also with Carrick. I’m relieved that this wasn’t a borefest as I envisaged.
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While I concede the big four has taken a step backward, I feel the rest of the league has done well in closing the gap somewhat. Sure Spain has two big teams filled with stars but you can’t convince me that teams 1-20 in England are far better than Spain. In England any team can win on any given day, so you can’t take any team lightly.
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@Johnsom33: I believe the teams in the premiership are a bit better compared to the teams in Spain. The only thing that has been holding them back was their cowardice and reluctance to attack the big boys; something which the spanish teams do, be them bottom of the league or not. In Spain, Real Betis or some other minnow will attack the hell out of Barcelona, Madrid or whatever top team they are playing against and still lose but with the knowledge that they gave it their best. Plus, i think it’s a mentality thing too.
However, this season, the rest of the premier league is realising that they can in fact attack the big four and maybe get something out of it; which is why we have seen some upsets so far. This season is gonna be great, no mistakes about that, i mean, it’s like only 11 matches into the season and there has already been soooo much drama and upsets. It’s fast, physical and now, almost totally unpredctable. Whoever wins the title this season must have the ability to grind out results, esp when they are the poorer side; something I know we’re good at and should definitely stand us in good stead come end of may.
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Johnson- I watch both leagues as Barca is my 2nd team. I also watch Serie A where Juve are my 3rd team. The Spanish I’m not sorry to say is simply better than any other league in the world right now. In both Spain and Italy the bottom teams can take points off any of the big teams frequently. Ppl can say but Barca won easy last season. Well they did that in every competition incl the Champions League because they were and arguably still are the best team in the world. Both leagues in terms of technical aspects are ahead of England. I think by a long mile. In Italy Bari can confidently beat Inter even though they just came from Serie B (though they only got a draw this time around). In Spain they always play to win. They don’t know this English language and terms like “park the bus” or “disciplined defensive performance”. I mean just go read the above article again and look at Megson’s comments where he clearly indicated that he will come to Old Trafford to defend. You can’t honestly watch an English game and then a Spanish one and claim that the English league is better unless you mean specifically in terms of money and passion. Two clearly distinct levels of quality. I’ll always watch the Premiership because that’s where my 1st team is and for it’s passion but I’m not gonna fool myself
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Wel I sacridficed watching this game to socialise instead.
And watched freakin’ G.I Joe.
If at least the movie was good, but now I feel like I lost 1/2 of my brain cells after this ordeal…
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@Gabriel- Once again I have to disagree. I mean an average team in Spain and even Italy has so much quality in their players they can’t be compared to the lower quality of the average English. Yes there’s been an improvement and it’s encouraging to see teams like Spurs and Villa playing some good technical football and actually attacking. Even Sunderland seem to be taking their game seriously. But come on there’s no way these can be on the same level as Villareal or Fiorentina. Not yet at least. Esp in Spain. The level of football is high and their youth teams keep producing gems with high technical brilliance. Like Barca which probably is the best in the world on the technical side. They’ve produced some highly technical players which England has benefitted from. Look at Pique or Fabregas 4 instance. Or look at the quality coming from Italy’s academies. And it’s the norm in all their clubs. Now outside the top 4 and apart from West Ham’s brilliant academy what top players have come out of England. Even foreign players. How many can play for any team outside England?
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Fair point mate… I should say that I am biased as I watch solely Premier league matches and the few head-to-head clashes between the top teams in other leagues, so maybe I am not best informed in the affairs of the lower placed teams in those leagues.
However, I am watching the Barca-Valencia game and Valencia are playing quite well. On a side note, the spanish commentators get very excited over every little thing, they make me feel like i’m watching a different, less-exciting game
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If you can’t stand the Spanish commentators then don’t ever listen to the shouting Italian counterparts. They irritate me to bits. This is just not a good football day for me. I can’t watch any single match and having already asked you to update me on the United game it would be criminal to ask you to do the same again for the Barca game. No worries. I want to watch the delayed game anyway on Monday. But it don’t look good if Valencia are playing well. But this is Red Rants so won’t get carried away
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Went to the pub to watch the utd match, unfortunately they couldn’t show it. Got drunk watching the liverpool match anyway, which was pretty terrible. Seen the stats for the utd match though… pathetic. Basically equal shots on and off target and equal possession at HOME. I see by the comments that we should have won the match sooner but yet again we go to sleep mid way during the second half thinking that our opposition have rolled over and accepted the natural order of life in the premiership i.e. don’t even bother attacting us, we’re the champions.
Thank fuck liverpool and chelsea messed up today. It sickens me reading about how chelsea are going to win the league after a few wins in early season. The London press are sooooooo far up chelsea’s ass its gay!!!!!
How was Rio and Owen today?
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@Jay wire: mate, if ur on the internet, try the links on http://www.atdhe.net … the justintv link is quite clear. Plus, I have to say, watching the two teams play is quite pleasing on the eye; quick, fluid and skillful football.
Btw, I love the spanish commentators.. with lively commentary like that, even a Hull vs Stoke game would be fun to watch
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@Jay wire: Barca are not an avergage team. Most of us don’t know about any home grown kid spanish outside of Barca…
Italian teams are notorious for hanging on to their oldies and refusing to let their talented youths step into the spotlight. AC Milan is the epitome of that.
And West Ham have stopped producing good talent since the days of Carrick, Ferdinand and Lampard.
Its always been known that latin leagues are more technical than the EPL, but english teams try to make up their deficiencies with their direct and rugged approach to the game…
I’m not looking to bash your arguments, but I just thought they were a bit stereotypical and not necessarily true.
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@jpg: Owen not so good, not much to say about Rio except that his usual calmness and confidence wasn’t about.
@All: what is it with Giggs!? He has played better this season than at any other time since the turn of the decade… Fucking phenomenal.
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this Banega kid is immense!! plus david Silva is really tiny, he looks like one of those rugrats
altho, Fergie will do well to sign him up 
btw, read Fergie sent a get well soon letter to Steven Defour; anyone watch him play? from what I gather, he is a defensive mid and I reckon that’s just exactly what we don’t need.
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Dani Alves is such a cheat!!!
Sorry Jay wire but that guy is just vile, trying to get a player sent off; almost cost his team a goal too, that would have been the perfect reward 
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