The Trotters have had a frustrating start to their campaign, as three of their five games in the league have ended with points being shared. Their only defeat in the League has come at the hands of Arsenal, while the sole victory against their name came against a struggling West Ham United.
Wanderers were dumped out of the League Cup by manager Owen Coyle’s former club Burnley during midweek, with the rivalry between the two sets of fans making defeat all the more depressing.
As the gaffer sets out to right the wrong in this fixture, he will know that the Red Devils have had the better of his side for some time now.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s men have done the double over Bolton for the past two seasons, with the Trotters’ last victory against these opponents coming in 2007. Indeed, one look at the history books paints a much gloomier picture, as United have won 10 of the last 11 meetings between the two sides.
For once the spotlight shines away from Rooney
Dimitar Berbatov is the name on everyone’s lips right now, and it couldn’t have come at a better time for the club and his partner-in-crime, Wayne Rooney.
The Bulgarian had been largely seen as Diego Forlan’s successor at the club, and the enormous transfer fee that Tottenham Hotspur pocketed for relinquishing their hold on the forward only served t provde more ammunition for his critics.
But the 29-year-old has had a fine start to the season and has taken a few steps forward in justifying his £30 million price-tag. His hat-trick against fierce rivals Liverpool saw him go into the club’s history books as the first player to score thrice for United in that fixture in 64 years – Stan Pearson having previously done so in 1946. And just like that the perception of the Bulgarian has changed, as the forward is now being compared to legends such as Eric Cantona and Denis Law.
And with Berbatov on top of the goal scoring charts following his recent exploits, he will undoubtedly be the centre of attention as the Red Devils take to the pitch at the Reebok.
This gives fellow forward Wayne Rooney much-needed breathing space in which to return to his best, as questionable form coupled with turmoil in his personal life have cast a dark cloud over the 24-year-old.
So it comes as a blessing for manager Sir Alex Ferguson that the spotlight is now away from Rooney. The forward obviously enjoys confronting the Trotters’ back line, as he has scored six goals in his last four league appearances against them.
But his away from has been dubious, as the last time the former Everton man scored on his travels was back in January.
All said and done, the Red Devils still have the upper hand in this encounter.
TEAM NEWS
Bolton Wanderers
Kevin Davies and Jussi Jaaskelainen return, having served their respective suspensions.Young shot-stopper Adam Bogdan has proven to be an able deputy for the first-choice Finn, but it would be a real surprise if manager Owen Coyle picked him ahead of the returning Jaaskelainen.
In the meantime, defender Gary Cahill serves the final game of his three-match ban and will play no part in this game.
Joey O'Brien and Sean Davis remain on the sidelines as they are still recovering from their respective injuries.
Possible starting XI: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Knight, Ricketts, Robinson; Petrov, Muamba, Holden, Lee, Davies, Elmander.
Manchester United
Rio Ferdinand is expected to be back to his duties of marshalling the Red Devils’ back line, having played against Scunthorpe United in the League Cup, with Jonny Evans likely to be the man who will be benched.Park Ji-Sung will compete with Ryan Giggs for a spot on the left, and could make the line-up as the Welshman could be spared for this one – with a Champions League game against Valencia looming large on the horizon.
Long-term absentees Owen Hargreaves, Antonio Valencia and Michael Carrick remain unavailable.
Possible starting XI: Van der Sar, O'Shea, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra; Scholes, Fletcher, Park, Nani; Rooney, Berbatov.
Prediction
Manchester United are yet to win a Premier League game on their travels this season, but that is all likely to change when they make the short trip to Bolton.
Bolton 1-2 Man Utd. 
