Adam Dennehey WAFU manager
After three unpredictable games on the trot, Manchester United will be looking to resume normal service tomorrow by comfortably beating Owen Coyle’s struggling Bolton side at Old Trafford, going top of the league in the process.
Bolton had a wretched 2011 and in truth they have never recovered from losing to Stoke City in their FA Cup semi-final match at Wembley last season.
Few would have tipped Bolton to struggle this season but in truth a mixture of bad luck and injuries have ripped the heart out of the team and they have never recovered from the trashing handed out to them by Stoke at the home of football.
This weekend’s game could be their captain Gary Cahill’s last with the club as the England centre-back is likely to join Chelsea next week once it’s believed personal terms, which have been dragging on for weeks, are finally agreed between both parties.
Cahill has certainly grown into a solid defender under Coyle but should Bolton be unable to replace him, it’s highly likely that they continue to struggle as sadly a centre-back pairing of Zat Knight and David Wheater just isn’t good enough.
After beating Manchester City in the FA Cup last weekend, United will go into the game confident of picking up the three points. However they cannot turn up expecting to win as the recent defeat at home to Blackburn proved.
So what can we expect from tomorrow’s game. What will be the key battles on the pitch?
Rio Ferdinand v Ivan Klansic
Despite being run ragged by City’s Sergio Aguero last weekend at the Etihad Stadium, Rio Ferdinand held his own alongside Chris Smalling and came out of the game with no fresh injury concerns under the back of a good performance
The former England captain will be expected to deal with Croatian forward Ivan Klasnic comfortably. He is Bolton’s only goal threat up front and although he will track back to win the ball he is short of pace and not the player he used to be.
Michael Carrick v Nigel Reo-Coker
It’s incredible to think that for the second half of the 2003/04 season that Michael Carrick and Nigel Reo-Coker were team-mates at West Ham when the London side were trying to win promotion back to the Premier League.
Both players despite doubts about their form over the past couple of seasons have had good seasons so far. Carrick though is the better player and should have enough to see off Reo-Coker and control the game for United.
Wayne Rooney v Zat Knight
If Cahill is unavaliable to play ahead of his move to Chelsea, Zat Knight will have to lead Bolton’s defence. The former England centre-back despite impressing last season after moving from Aston Villa will have to be at his stop United scoring.
For Wayne Rooney, coming of the back of two goals in United’s FA Cup win over City, the match represents the perfect opportunity for him to keep his form up and he will get chances against a weak Bolton team. He has to put them away.
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In terms of a prediction for the game, as I stated earlier on in a on in a predictions article, I believe that United will field a strong side and will just have too much firepower up front for Bolton who will be unable to keep the ball and should win at least 2-0.
Coyle though shouldn’t be too worried about this game. His side will be expected to lose and as long as his team come out of the game with some credit, pushing United all the way it will be a sign that his team can fight to stay in the division.
By Adam Dennehey @ADennehey87
