Manchester United face a very robust Bolton side at Old Trafford Saturday, but the majority of the pre-match build up has been about the never-ending debacle over the comments made by Sir Alex Ferguson, and now about the referee who is being assigned to the match.
Sir Alex sent a public letter of apology to Alan Wiley about the controversial comments that he made about him being unfit, but the press and referee association refuse to let this issue rest, and pushing all they can.
To make matters worse, the Football Association are surely testing their resolve, by allowing Mark Clattenburg, who has openly-admitted being a Newcastle fan, to be put in charge of the match.
Clattenburg, who was suspended for eight months for 'personal debts' last season, has been known to be a thorn in both Ferguson's and United’s side. The last four matches that he officiated United have resulted in three losses and a draw.
Even Bolton’s manager Gary Megson has said, "You're damned if you don't apologize and damned if you do."
But there is no question that Sir Alex will surely have his team focused and ready for business, but the press needs to put this over-publicized fiasco to bed.
Test
United come in to the match off a disappointing 2-2 home draw against Sunderland, which brings their unbeaten streak to six matches in the English Premier League, but nine matches overall (Champions League and Carling Cup).
Sir Alex’s squad will be tested over the next 15 days, because they have five matches in three different competitions, and in the middle of those five matches is the highly-anticipated match against Liverpool at Anfield.
About
Bolton comes into the match on a four-match unbeaten run since their 3-2 loss to Liverpool back in August.
They recently drew 2-2 with Tottenham, and the Wanderers are sitting in 14th place in the English Premier League. Bolton started the season poorly on the back three straight defeats to Sunderland, Hull City and Liverpool.
Who
Bolton’s star player has to be Tamir Cohen and already has three goals and tallied one assist this season.
If the midfielder starts against United on Saturday, it will be his six league start this season, which have matched his totals from the two previous seasons.
Bolton have been known over recent years to be bruisers with their hit man Kevin Davies leading the way, and the Bolton’ captain has always been physical against United especially with Patrice Evra.
Big central defender Gary Cahill has really matured under the guidance of Megson, and could be on the verge of breaking into the England squad for the 2010 World Cup.
Bolton was not a big mover or shaker during the summer transfer window.
Samuel Ricketts (Hull City), Zat Knight (Aston Villa), Sean Davis (Portsmouth), Chung-yong Lee (FC Seoul), Ivan Klasnic (Nantes (loan)) and Paul Robinson (West Bromwich (loan)) have all joined Megson’s regime.
Treatment
Out: Owen Hargreaves; Probable: Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen, Edwin van der Sar, Rafael
Projected
E. van der Sar; J. O’Shea, R. Ferdinand, N. Vidic, P. Evra; Nani, M. Carrick, D. Fletcher, Anderson; R. Giggs, D. Berbatov
Prediction
Manchester United 1, Bolton 0
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