Injury-plagued midfielder Owen Hargreaves could return for Manchester United’s clash with Bolton Wanderers at Old Trafford today. The 30-year-old has played less than 10 minutes this season, after missing three months with a hamstring strain suffered on his comeback in November. But the Canadian-born player could be drafted into United’s back-four as Sir Alex Ferguson’s has just four fit defenders for the clash with Owen Coyle’s Europe-chasing outfit.
Captain Nemanja Vidic joins Rio Ferdinand, Rafael da Silva and John O’Shea on the sidelines for Saturday’s match. Northern Irish defender Jonny Evans could make the bench having missed nine games with an ankle injury, although the 23-year-old is unlikely to start given Bolton’s physical threat.
In total up to 10 United players will miss the game, with midfielder Anderson also out, reserve goalkeeper Anders Lingegaard having undergone a knee operation and Paul Scholes suspended. Meanwhile Darren Fletcher is suffering with a virus and Park Ji-Sung has only recently returned to training.
The injury crisis comes just prior to the international break, with Ferguson hopeful that key players will return over the next forthnight. However, the boss admited that Ferdinand could miss much of the run-in, with the 32-year-old still not training.
“Rio has plenty of years ahead of him,” said Ferguson, who will start the first of a five match FA-imposed touchline ban against the Trotters.
“He has had a few injuries over the last few years I am sure that are a concern for him. Calf injuries can be troublesome and we are not looking at this as a short-term situation for us. He has been out for a few weeks now anyway and has not started training yet. It looks to me as if we will be lucky to get him back for some point of the season. But he is still capable of coming back and playing at the top level again.
“Anderson is doing OK running-wise, he is getting closer. Owen Hargreaves has trained this week, which is good news. There are some promising things going to help us on the run-in.”
The lengthy injury list means that Wes Brown and Chris Smalling will probably continue in the centre of United’s defence, with Hargreaves or Fabio da Silva occupying the right-back slot. Ferguson also has limited options in midfield, although Nani and Antonio Valencia are both fit. Darron Gibson could make a rare start alongside Michael Carrick in central midfield.
“We only started playing Wayne deeper because of the injury situation before the game against Arsenal last Saturday,” added the 69-year-old Scot.
“We were forced into trying to organise a team that gave us a chance of going through. In that particular game it worked. But Bolton are a completely different team and I may change it.”
Coyle’s high-flying Bolton side is chasing a Europa League spot on two fronts, lying seventh in the Premier League and facing Stoke City in the FA CUp semi final at Wembley in three weeks. Bolton’s improved standing, allied with United’s injury list, means Coyle will hope to end a run of seven conscecutive defeats at Old Trafford. The Reds’ home record the season suggests otherwise of course, and Bolton has not won on the road since November.
“The way the lads have progressed this season has been enjoyable, accepting that there have been little dips or lulls along the way,” Coyle said.
“Every time we enter the field we feel that we have a chance of winning the game and we will certainly need that on Saturday, going to what I believe are the champions elect and a team that are truly outstanding on every front.
“We will be setting our lads out very positively as we look to achieve what would be a big result at Manchester United. It’s an opportunity to mix with the very best players in world football and show that they can play as well. We have done that all season and we will try to do it again in an unbelievable footballing arena on Saturday.”
However, the Bolton manager is without Mark Davis, Zat Knights, Ricardo Gardner, Sam Ricketts and Jay-Lloyd Samuel for the clash. Coyle welcomes back key defender Gretar Steinsson for the short trip across Lancashire.
However, United’s striker Rooney believes last weekend’s victory over Arsenal has given the Reds a confidence boost after consecutive Premier League defeats to Chelsea and Liverpoool.
“It was a difficult week with the Chelsea and Liverpool results and we knew that if we could beat Arsenal it would give us that edge to push for the title,” he told club rag United Review.
“You can’t wait for the games to come at this stage of the season and we’ve got another important one on Saturday. We have to make sure we get the job done.
“A lot has been said over the last few years about them being a long-ball team, but I think they mix it up well and like to pass the ball around. They’re a physical side who work hard as a unit and they’ve got themselves into a great position in the league. We know we’re in for a difficult game and we need to make sure we get in amongst them.”
With an inexperienced back-four and lightweight midfield it’s a challenge United could fail. It is perhaps only the Reds’ transformation at home that will take Ferguson’s side to three vital points.
Opposition
Bolton – 451 – Jaaskelainen; Steinsson, Cahill, Wheater, Robinson; Muamba, Holden, Petrov; Elmander, Davies, Sturridge. Subs from: Taylor, Klasnic, Lee, Lainton, Moreno, Blake, Cohen, Alonso, O’Halloran, Eaves.
United
United – 442 – van der Sar; Hargreaves, Brown, Smalling, Evra; Nani, Carrick, Gibson, Giggs; Rooney, Hernandez. Subs from: Kuszczak, Fabio da Silva, Valencia, Owen, Berbatov, Bébé, Park, Obertan, Tunnicliffe, Morrison, King.
Officials
Referee: Andre Marriner
Assistant referees: Mike Cairns & Jake Collin
Fourth official: Eddie Ilderton
Form
United – DWLLWW
Bolton – LWWDWW
THE LOVE OF MY LIFE!
no chance – and besides being two year’s out he’s probably forgotten the rules
Bench more likely
FFs simply offload him and be done with it he will play 10 minutes then be out for the next 6 months again.
Hargo could start.
Only Fergie is capable of springing such surprises.
VDS
BROWN SMALLING BROWN EVRA
VALENCIA GIGGS CARRICK NANI
ROONEY HERNANDEZ
Hargo isn’t in the squad.
Evans vs Davies gives me the jitters. Thats a couple of goals to them right there.
^^^Brown’s not capable of filling one position, let alone two.
Oops, sorry I meant Evans at CB and Brown at RB.
come on united
go for the jugular from the off
arse 1 down at wba
come on united
Anybody got sopcast working at all as I get service cant be accessed.
Channel – 82153
The ref looks like Martin Atkinson in a face mask. This could be a long 90 minutes.
How do you people in England have such shite referees?
Ive treid that Brian cant access the whole sopcast service ive got another stream running but can do nowt with sopcast.
most streams working shite
Ha ha Fergies on the telephone to the bench
did u think he was going to use 2 tin cans and a long piece of string then……
Carrick you fucking pussy stay on your feet.
Cunt ……………..
Working for me young blood!!
P.S what the fuck is Mike Phelan for?? Fergie is ringing the other guy and talking tactics with him… ??
suck it and see
Brian how the fuck can you talk tatics with Phelan, he´s thicker than han FFs
nice try from Rooney
come on reds
Why make the bowling ball headed fuck assistant then?
FFs Javier
this is bolton not barca ffs
just not getting into this match
berba
berba
berba
shrek unlucky again
sweet pea stay up the field ffs
berba definitely needs to come on because something different may just unlock them
Welcome to the han show a sad cunt talking to himself
u just joined in knob end
I think it’s ‘little’ pea, not ‘sweet’ pea.
Pedantics.
wheres my monkey gone ffs
Well… that was gash… but at least Arsenal are losing so…
yes u r right – apologies
saf going to the dressing room for the half time blow job – the hairdryer variety
Hernandez off Berbatov on
Brown off Fabio on
berbs on
do ur stuff
Well those are some positive changes… no fuckin about.
gooners losing COME ON MAKE THIS FUCKING COUNT
get up pussy
fucking disjointed today
come on united
smalling getting the jitters
come on united
arse 2-0 down
get a win u bastards
totally toss
1619: GOALFLASH West Brom 2-0 Arsenal (Odemwingie)
Desperate for the 3 points today
attack attack
fucking hell united get a fucking grip
i cant believe that this is a home game – we are shit
get us a goal someone please in a red shirt
stays like this and chelsea asre right back in it!!
this is terrible
owen?
utter shit
25 mins to win or loose the title – simple as
come on united
this is just so wrong
so fucking wrong – fat fucker phelan can’t do shit
DISGRACE
love how phelan get all the shit and never any credit, what can he possibly do?
united can win this
just 1 moment of genius to open them up
berbs come on give us some of your magic
unlucky berba
berbs you wanka
arse 2-1 i have that sick feeling
great tackle by cahill
evans wanker what a cunt
fuck off evans you wanker
cost us big time there
that’s us fucked then
evans off?
ffs
what a fucking pratt
Twat
dont even look like the team bossing…. fuck this
united can still do this
give the ball to valencia
fook that was close
arsenal level
carragher fucks nani and gets away with it
evans, twat that he is gets a red
always the same with Rooney – takes too fucking long – get a grip UNITED
OMG
why is shrek taking the corner?
come on united – make it count
valencia doing well in CM
should be over.. how he miss
too fucking close
let’s hold to the point cos we deserve f all
COME ON
berrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbssssssssssssssssss
yeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaa gein berbs
bebebebebebebebebrbrrbrrbrbrbababababbabababrbrbbrbrbabbabarbrbabrababbarbrbrbrabbarbarb
big letoff
what a spell Nani and Valencia just had – that 5 mins was excellent – love the way they both are so comfortable in CM
fist goal ever as a sub for united
I’m a cunt for slagging of Berbs. Shame on me.
dont let it happen again
no worries Boss
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
BERBATOV THE ASSASSIN
CAN WE KICK THE FUCK OUT OF EVANS NOW
HOW ABOUT VALENCIA AND NANI IN CM – see how much better we were in attached once that cunt carrick fucked off at the back
United win despite Chelsea’s secret agent (Marriner). Good job.
Honestly with an FA like England’s no wonder they are so bad in international tournaments.
fuck that was heart pounding stuff.. 5 points get innn
scrappy fucking win but with Le Arse only getting a point what the hell, regardless of how we played winning these games against your Boltons and the like is what will win us the title.
how many refs has that russian motherfucker bought for his harem?
Probably using them as oil barrels too
1657: FULL-TIME West Brom 2-2 Arsenal
bottled it
we were a cunthair away from doing the same
yeah, easier to give it the Jock Rock now but Nani and Val really drove that last 10 mins forward – energy and power and ultimately we took a chance slightly lucky but we will take that
so evsns is out for how many games? could be a good thing …
who plays next week fs..fabio smalling brown evra
something like that – trust brown more than evans
that match was just pure torture to watch (when the piss poor streams were working) and listen to ( no alan greene on radio 5 thank god)
reckon we may have at least another dozen to go in similar vein
berbs – well played
20 league goals – nice stat to add to
wheres that mouthy cocksucker robbo when u want to pee all over his face? berbs take a bow
Here you munkey shagging cunt, Madred´s wants the Golden Shower so you will have to wait for him. With Berbatov today was his day another it wont be important is the 3 points and Le Arse drawing.
ok u uncleknobheadcocksuckerfucker
i agree its all about the 3 points but the fact berbs got the goal is sweet
To be fair to Evans… he was playing better than he has in a while, until the sending off… and I’m not even that pissed about the card… it was a full blooded challenge that won the ball… but the goal posts regarding what’s legal have changed… yellow card in my opinion, but I can see why the ref gave a red… but… let’s be honest… it was only half as bad as Carraghers, on Nani.
fergies says he wass unlucky but has no complaints…
win is all ha matters, is brown injured?
I am in a Paris hotel with the family as I have been dragged to Disneyland. Just come in and seen Berba’s winner. First I can’t even begin to say how relieved and happy as I am. However, how on earth did Taylor miss that chance?? How did Juusi spill Nani’s very weak effort. And then even Berbatov tried to miss it as the keeper got a hand to it and it trickled into the net. What a relief. Thank God I did not watch it live. I might have had a heart attack.
Apparently Brown is injured. Hopefully Vida will be back before the next game.
Evans was fucking shite and made the whole defence nervous, especially in the first half when he had an opportunity to clear the ball but opted to fanny about and ended up losing the ball from which Bolton nearly profited. I was pleased he was sent off. If anything, we looked better when he went off.
Giggs was shite as well (and I say this fully aware that we shouldn’t have to rely on him these days but for the obstinacy of the club in failing to invest in our midfield). His last few performances have been a real concern. Today, he couldn’t stop giving the ball away.
Nani is back to his frustrating self. He gets the ball but doesn’t know when it is appropriate to deliver it first time into a box or when it is OK to take 3 touches before trying to get past an opposition defender.
Smalling was a one man defence and Rooney played well up front. Very very relieved we won that, especially with Arsenal dropping points. Now they must win their game in hand at Spurs and hope we drop points. They also have to play Stoke away as well.
Sheesh… our defence was going to be nervous anyway… with only Evra the established regular… Smalling has been great for us, but he looks shaky when he doesn’t have Vidic holding his hand…
Evans still isn’t back to last years standard, but he was a hell of a lot better than earlier this year, when he was complete cack…
There was nothing shaky about Smalling’s performance today and Evra did OK. Evans was the chief suspect today. Watch a re-run of the game and see how uncertain he looked. Saying he was better today than against a side that bummed us 4-0 isn’t saying much. By the standards of a semi-competent defender, he was shit.
Just finished work, thank fuck , that berba scored, with the arse dropping points to its a good day.
What did evens do to get sent off, was that worse than that Scousers twat at anfield.
MANCHESTER IS MY HEAVEN- SIR MATT BUSBY
Evans got caught in two minds going in for a 50/50 ball; he committed, seemed to hesitate for a moment and then re – committed, sliding in on his arse with his studs showing; he won the ball but was unable to prevent himself following through, apparently giving the Bolton player a nasty gash in the process.
Somewhere along the way, Johnny has developed a habit of hesitating in the vital moment and that is the root of all his problems; he needs to be a little bolder and more self – assured, even if it sometimes means getting caught out; he is still quite young for a central defender after all!
he was a twat but he has bollocks for doing that – stupid cunt though but that is just experience and he needs to learn
defence is all about judgement and he keeps getting it wrong. felt sorry for the twat – just look at his face – guy just wants to die
Fucking Tin-Tin looker like wanker getting sent off when we’re so sort at the back!
Fergie admitted last year that he has had to change because players of the modern era have changed:
“There is nothing wrong with losing your temper if it’s for the right reasons,” said Ferguson. “But I never leave it till the next day. Some managers wait till Monday but I want to let it go after the game because I’m already planning for the next one. Once I let it go, I don’t bring it up again. My strength has to be obvious for all to see. I have mellowed a great deal. The world has changed and so have players’ attitudes. I’m dealing with more fragile human beings than I used to be. They are cocooned by parents, agents, even their own image at times. They need to be seen with their tattoos and earrings. It’s a different world for me so I have had to adapt. Some players even cry now in the dressing room – Bryan Robson never used to cry.”
These players like Evans and Carrick (who, to be fair, I actually thought was OK today) have no bollocks. I’m not sure what that’s down to.
I’ve heard retired players commenting on how soft the current youth are. Cannot remember his name but some old West Ham player was talking about how he used to make Rio clean his boots. He (the ex-Hammer) then said that Rio was probably from the last generation of youth players who not only would put up with this kind of treatment, but actually expected it as part of getting on as an apprentice. He pointed out that the problem with the current generation is that if they’re talented and not happy (eg cos they have to clean boots or actually learn something about club history and respect), they just call their agent and organise to move on – probably for more pay as well.
Just saw Evans’ tackle on MotD… both players went in for the ball just the same… Holden had his studs showing just as bad as Evans… but he came off worse… and that’s why the red card.
I’m not going to vilify Evans… it wasn’t dirty or malicious… just hard football.
Indeed. 50/50 and both lunged in. Fergie did well not to comment further. They should both have seen red, or maybe a yellow for Holden.
http://rutube.ru/tracks/4230709.html?v=ace2ef16f286d41d910f0f13d6ac69e5&autoStart=true&bmstart=78460
0:50ish in. Both had studs up. If Holden hadn’t been cut, what would’ve happened?
my thoughts exactly bro
Rooney was quality again. He fuckin oozes it!
that sounded v. close. boys don’t get so down about the team. hargreaves could be back and at least we haven’t gone out of 3 competitions in 2 weeks like our ‘ closest rivals’…one game at a time please.
Did you see Douglas Costa at the game? SAF brought him over to Manchester as his guest to watch the game. There is some movement in the works of bringing Costa to United. SAF has been trying to sign this player since he was 16 years old and he is not going to let Manchester City sign him, as they are now pursuing the player.
Nani holds on to the ball too long when other players are in good positions to score. He trys to go it all alone and ends up losing the ball when he should pass the ball first touch. Valencia is doing some good stuff!
meh, nani and valenica will get better as they keep playing consistently. terrible performance, but fortunately we won. and evans’ red card was completely justified. putting your weight behind a studs up tackle deserves a red.
Herbie can you fuck off with your fantasy football in the Match day threads, how thick can one mongoloid spasticated cunt be.
Word.
Evans got the ball but he followed through. He was very unlucky. Giggs was atrocious while Carrick actually played very well before being moved back.
Nani shoots. Nani dribbles. Sometimes they come off sometimes they do not. THAT is how Nani is. It was his scuffed shot that led to our goal. We really need to stop moaning about him – all flair players especially those that dribble a lot are like that. I challenge you guys to watch many Cantona games, he was like that. Tried many things that did not come off but he was brave enough to keep at them – those are what great players do. Despite his goal, as soon Berba came on, Rooney started suffering re who to thread the balls through because as usual, Berba was in his position.
As well as Bolton are supposed to have played, we are so short of numbers that we would have destroyed them with a proper midfield of Fletcher and Carrick or Anderson. Am just pleased that we are ready to kick into this last straight. Now for City to get a point at Stamford Bridge.
good post
Bollocks… it was NOT justified… it just looks that way, because Holden ended up with a gashed leg… I don’t blame the ref for giving the red, but if you have the replay to look at, then you can see that BOTH players tackles are equally as bad, or just hard… depending on your opinion of what constitutes a bad/fair tackle.
Look carefully at the replay… Holden goes in, studs first, and slams his studs right into Evans Knee… the fact that Evans wasn’t also hurt is just a matter of millimetres and timing…
Like I said… I don’t really have a problem with the red card… from the refs perspective, in real time it looks bad… but I don’t like the criticism of Evans for what was nothing more than a 50/50 that went bad for the other guy… it could just as easily been Evans that came out injured.
Aye… and it’s not just soft is it?… they’re spoiled little brats… they’re being groomed from very early ages, some as young as 12/13… and by the time they’re 16, they’ve already got agents, and hangers-on telling them how special they are, young gold digging trollops flashing their knickers at them, clubs fighting over them, sponsors winking at them… it’s no wonder they end up with a very warped sense of their own importance.
“Badges, to god-damned hell with badges! We have no badges. In fact, we don’t need badges. I don’t have to show you any stinking badges, you god-damned cabrón and ching’ tu madre! Come out from that shit-hole of yours. I have to speak to you.”
Justifying hazing? Whatever …
Hazing?
Oh fuck off!!!
wtf
ffs
Jesus fucking H
tbf he sounds like a right cunt
mm mm hmmm….sweeeeet alabama pussy
As for that stupid guy, its not fantasy football. Does he keep up to date on whats going on for the future of the club? The game is over, talk about something else. Do some reading and research of whats in the making at the club for the future. And if SAF does sign Costa for United, I will personally kick his ass and tell him I told you so.
You tell ’em Herbie Mate.
By the way… Herbie might be onto summat…
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/8392833/Manchester-United-renew-interest-in-Brazilian-wonderkid-Douglas-Costa.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/mar/19/manchester-united-shakhtar-douglas-costa
http://www.football.co.uk/manchester_united/sir_alex_ferguson_targets_15m_douglas_costa_to_boost_macnhester_united_midfield_rss1622389.shtml
By fuck Herbie read whats written this is a Matchday Thread and Costa has fuck all to do with the match, there are transfer forums for such discussions and guess what I seen the articles floating around but until Fergus signs him its fantasy football.
Alf was totally right about the Evan’s tackle by the way.
What frustrated me in the first half was the number of balls simply lumped forward at Valencia and Nani. Why pay the best part of £30 odd million for wingers who can play with the ball at their feet only to ask them to spend half the game jumping up and down competing with defenders for a ball in the air. We didn’t even compete for the second ball! So what’s the point?
Secondly, the first touch of half our players was horrifying. Some of the attempts to control were downright embarrassing for players who call themselves professional. It was not acceptable on any level.
I think while Evans had an overall nervy performance it was nice to see him not getting outmuscled by Kevin Davies. That, for me, was a massive plus. Carrick was consistently helping him out as well, but whenever Davies was competing, Evans was as well and they didn’t get much joy down that route.
I thought Brown was worse than Evans, being honest, because he got into some great positions but didn’t deliver anything.
Okay Robbie! No disrespect to you. Will keep to the topic in the future.
Let’s go back a few days shall we, and reconsider the title of this particular thread.
I have one question:
Where the fuck is Hargreaves!?!?!
That is all.
No doubt injured Pikey
Yeah – I was a little bit optimistic