EDWIN van der Sar will return to duty for Manchester United against Bolton in the Barclays Premier League at Old Trafford.
With Thomas Kuszcak ruled out with a groin injury, United faced naming rookie goalkeeper Ben Amos for the visit of Gary Megson’s men.
But Van der Sar has recovered from the blow to the knee which forced him out of last Sunday’s draw with Chelsea and should be in Sir Alex Ferguson’s starting line-up.
Ferguson delivered some good news on Rodrigo Possebon, who was on the wrong end of a terrible tackle by Emanuel Pogatetz in Tuesday’s Carling Cup win over Middlesbrough.
After fears of a broken leg were dismissed yesterday, the United boss has now confirmed Possebon did not suffer ligament damage either, although the Brazilian has a nasty gash which has not yet healed.
Meanwhile, Ferguson has officially declared Ryan Giggs’ days as a left-wing raider over.
Giggs will celebrate his 35th birthday in November, but that does not mean Ferguson is ready to throw the Welshman on the scrapheap.
On the contrary, the Scot now views Giggs as more important than he has ever been.
Influence
Not only is United’s club record appearance holder a major influence on the younger members of Ferguson’s squad, he is also capable of making a major impact on the pitch.
He was arguably the Old Trafford outfit’s man-of-the-match in Tuesday’s Carling Cup win over Middlesbrough and his goal, a brilliant effort from the edge of the box after Chris Riggott stood on the ball, left him just five short of becoming only the ninth United player to score 150 times for the club.
But what Ferguson has to do is control the number of games Giggs plays to ensure he is used to maximum effect. And that means not asking him to terrorise full-backs the way he used to.
“Ryan has been absolutely brilliant,” said Ferguson.
“What we have to do is manage him. We want him nice and fresh at the end of the season because he can decide games for us.
“That is the great quality he has. But I see Ryan as a central player.
“At 34, tramping up and down the touchline is beyond him now.”
Bolton defender Gary Cahill looks certain to return after suspension.
Record signing Johan Elmander is also in contention for a place in the side after recovering from a nagging hamstring injury.
The Sweden striker, who arrived in the summer from Toulouse, has trained all week after being sidelined for a month. However, Matt Taylor again looks likely to miss out with a broken toe.
Manchester United (from): Van der Sar, Brown, Neville, R Da Silva, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, O’Shea, Evra, F Da Silva, Ronaldo, Nani, Hargreaves, Anderson, Fletcher, Park, Giggs, Tevez, Rooney, Berbatov, Manucho, Welbeck, Amos.
Bolton Wanderers (from): Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Shittu, A O’Brien, Samuel, Gardner, Muamba, Nolan, McCann, J O’Brien, Smolarek, Elmander, Davies, Helguson, Riga, Hunt, Vaz Te, Cohen, Fojut, Al Habsi.
United league form: DWLD
Bolton league form: WLDLL
Key opponent: Kevin Davies - physical foward always a handful for defenders
Prediction: United 2 Bolton 0 - the Reds should be able to get their Premier League season up and running
Agree with the prediction? Have your say.
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Preview: United v Bolton
September 26, 2008
Comments
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Hopefully we've turned the corner now after a false start to defending our Premiership and European crowns. It was always a big ask after seeing the fixture list but now we can kick on and start climbing back up the league with a convincing win against Bolton at OT.
I'm not underestimating Bolton for a second but I feel that United will want to go out and show a real account of themselves and I think Bolton will be on the receiving end of a good 3 or 4 goal beating. Players Like Berbatov and Rooney have yet to show their true form so far this season and you can bet that Ronaldo will want to make up for lost time too.
I'd like to see United play a 4-4-2 and start with the following team : Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Hargreaves, Anderson, Nani, Rooney, Berbatov. Subs : Amos, R Da Silva, Evans, Fletcher, Park, Tevez, Manucho.
I don't know why Scholes has been left out of the squad for the Bolton game but if he is available then he would take Manucho's place on the subs bench.
Support the Team and Live the Dream.....
Hmmm Bolton, great game for VDS to finally show a little bottle. After IMO a couple of the most gutless, selfish displays I have ever had to witness from a United player.
thought fabio da silva was out???
T&C well said. The guy was a disgrace on Sunday
Cr to start and we'll give them a good 4-0 thrashing....
If that is true and Scholes is out I'm quite happy. He just isn't able to make as much of a impact anymore other than continue to pick up bookings and it would be good to let some of the newbies build some momentum and find some form, Anderson and OH definitely need to move up gear.
In the near future some team is in for a hammering from the CHAMPIONS OF ENGLAND AND CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE is it going to be Bolton tomorrow ?.
Usual back four with Wes coming back in. Anderson & Scholes to play central with Ronnie and Park wide to give us a proper balance. I know some don't rate Park but I think we always look 'balanced' with him there as he does the defensive work of two men!
The Berb and Tevez up front for me with Rooney sitting things out unless required. Great Bench though with The Roon, Nani, Giggs, Hargreaves,The Nevster, Fletch and the kids to choose from.
gerry would you explain to me how park gives us balance playing on the left side of midfield. imo he would be far better on the right or in the middle. one things for sure you wont see him pass very much with his left get to the bye line or even attempt a cross with his left.
like mick the red fireman, middleton have said some teams r gonna get a real hammering by manutd i just hope its going to be bolton
Boddy D,
I'm sure you won't be happy to hear Fergies comments today, that he's not going to play Giggs as a left winger anymore.
So we shall only see him popping up as a central striker which we know isn't his best position.
In fairness to Giggs he was pure class on Tues night, wherever he was on the field. Also, against certain teams at OT in the EPL he play a more central role, BUT BUT BUT if he starts doing it away from OT then you can bank on more scrappy performances like last season!
As for tomorrow, if we can't beat that Bolton side easily, it's time to wrap up & go home !!
I would have Wes back in though, as i see there only danger coming from lumping it upto that street-fighter (who'll pulls wide onto the RB [Nev]) and then play off the bits.
Wes would bang him early,.... Nev will start flailing his arms early!!
..... know which one Davies is hoping plays !!
The Dazzler - I didn't say on the left? I just said wide. Ron can play on the left as well as the right.
Park should play where he's most effective, if that's on the right then fair enough.
United 1 Bolton 1.
Van De Saar at fault and Ferguson blaming the ref.
Maybe Giggs will play in Goal?
SAF is right he can't play wing anymore, so as fabulous a player as he has been, he should not be in the team.
For that matter (as great as they have been) neither should Neville and Scholes, both bad against Chelsea. Park? How many times do we have to see the ball bounce over his foot out of play before SAF sees what most of the world sees i.e. someone not good enough! Runs around a lot, achieves nothing, except by accident.
Put last years best defence back together, play Rooney where Scholes plays with Berb and Tevez up front. Ronaldo, Hargreaves and Nani in support!
Bolton won't be able to find their way home they'll be so dizzy!
Wigan 2 City 1 Sparky blaming a Sandstorm imported from Abu dabby Do,or having to keep playing the penniless upstarts from Brighton ,and George Formbys hometown.
Utd`s defence is no longer that watertight and the goalkeeping dept is a factor. Strange telling VDS to buck up and stay focus. Eric Steele where are you?
Milan, Real, Barca, Arsenal,
anyone, would die to have Giggs at their disposal off
the bench. And rightly so! Giggs is still a smashing player, leader, scorer.
Up the Reds,
RCH - Scholes started the season really well and I was very impressed with his fitness / workrate. However, it would have been a real insult for him to have been hauled off after just an hour in two massive games - Liverpool & Chelsea. That's never happened to him before.
I'm sure he'll have something to prove to Fergie. Giggs and the Nevster have recently made similar statements.
keith matt he did a pretty good job against newcastle for an hour and was by far our best player.
Nice one Mr Stiles got us out of jail again.