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| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
MANCHESTER UNITED  Lindegaard Smalling, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra Valencia, Jones, Carrick, Nani Rooney, Welbeck | BOLTON WANDERERS  Bogdan Steinsson, Cahill, Knight, Ricketts Davies, Reo-Coker, Muamba, Petrov Ngog, Klasnic |
Rio Ferdinand is believed to have picked up a stomach bug ahead of this clash, which makes him a doubt, while the United boss will have to again make a big decision about who starts in goal. Anders Lindegaard has conceded five goals in his last two games after replacing David de Gea following the shock home defeat to Blackburn.
Owen Coyle has a few injured players to deal with, as Marcos Alonso (foot), Sean Davis (knee), Stuart Holden (knee), Chung-Yong Lee and Tyrone Mears (both broken leg) are all out of action.
Ricardo Gardner has been out since the game against Stoke City when he picked up a knee problem, but he is now thought to have gained enough fitness to be classified as a doubt instead of being crossed out in the list of those wounded in battle. Jussi Jaaskelainen (thigh) is also a doubt for the upcoming game at Old Trafford.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
Manchester United were unable to score a goal in a match in the Premier League for the first time this season when they lost 3-0 to Newcastle United.
- That defeat was their second in succession, with the first being a 3-2 loss to Blackburn Rovers. The Red Devils have not lost three consecutive games since 2001.
- Sir Alex's men have scored in 40 consecutive league games at Old Trafford.
- After Manchester City, United have managed to score the most goals in the Premier League so far.
- Bolton Wanderers have been able to beat United in only three of the last 25 league meetings between the two sides.
- The Trotters had lost eight in 10 matches prior to going on what is a comparatively good run of losing only one of their last five in all competitions.
- Coyle's men are currently languishing in the relegation zone. But if all games had ended at half-time, they would have been sitting pretty in 14th place.
- Bolton have conceded a joint high (with Blackburn Rovers) of 43 goals in the top flight this season.
Prediction
Manchester United are playing at Old Trafford and should have no significant trouble overcoming their opponents, despite the visitors having hit some semblance of form after what was turning into a disastrous season.
Editor's Prediction
Man Utd. 2-0 Bolton 
