Wayne Rooney scored his second successive hat-trick to take his personal tally to eight in four games, part of an overall team tally of 18 after their 8-2 drubbing of Arsenal last time out.
The hosts attempted to unsettle Sir Alex Ferguson's young guns by starting in a physical manner but United brushed that off to lead 3-0 inside 25 minutes so their 100% start to the season never came under threat.
Javier Hernandez, recalled for the injured Danny Welbeck, claimed his second goal in the 58th minute and Rooney struck 10 minutes later to edge United back to the top of the table, above City on goal difference.
The only downside ahead of another Champions League quest getting under way against Benfica on Wednesday was the suspected broken foot midfielder Tom Cleverley sustained in an early collision with Kevin Davies, and an injury to Jonny Evans.
It is thought Ferguson considered dropping David de Gea, even though Owen Coyle has smoothed off some of Bolton’s abrasive edge, but he need not have worried as it was first-half stoppage time before Bolton produced a cross that tested De Gea's mettle.
By then, United were in control with Hernandez having opened the scoring in the fifth minute. Nani danced down the right to flash in a low cross and United’s Mexican striker left Gary Cahill standing with some exemplary movement to nick the ball home at the near post.
Davies tried to lead by example but a crunching tackle on Cleverley and an equally forceful challenge on Patrice Evra, which earned the veteran striker his 100th Premier League caution, brought Ferguson to his feet in fury.
Rooney then doubled United’s lead, although Phil Jones deserved much of the credit for the quick thinking that allowed him to retake possession after finding Nani with a throw, then fizz over a cross that Rooney tucked home.
Moved to right-back, where Chris Smalling earned his England debut over the last month, Jones then began a gallop on halfway that took him weaving into the Bolton area.
Jussi Jaaskelainen prevented Jones claiming the first goal of his career, saving the summer signing’s shot with his foot, but Rooney stroked the rebound into the far corner.
Jaaskelainen produced an excellent save to deny Anderson but United again laid siege on the Bolton goal and when Michael Carrick's shot was deflected into Hernandez's path, the Mexican wasted no time in belting home.
It was hard not to feel sorry for Bolton, who at times were contributing well. However, they were trying to stop a team of perpetual motion, currently at the top of its game.
Another Nani cut-back found Rooney and the England star produced another unstoppable shot from the edge of the box into the bottom corner.
Rooney almost set Hernandez up for his hat-trick goal, before Hernandez went within inches of providing Anderson with a tap-in late on.
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Not too shabby. The early goals seemed to slow down the butchering tactics but it would be nice to see less injuries. City get 3 at home and we get 5 away………….is there a big message there? Well done Wazza and the lads!
Fouls conceded Bolton 14 Man Utd 1. ref in pocket.
Stunning.
Whatever that lot can do we can do it better.
Great day lads!!! Job well done, most importantly, still on top of the EPL.
Come on City. Keep up if you can!
brilliant performance and result from the lads. anything the bitters can do we can do much better. 18 goals in 4 matches, 12 points and twice we've played after the bitters and needed to win by a distance and we've pulled it off both times. the young lads are unbelievable and i really think some of the older players will struggle to get back in.
don't think i've ever felt as positive so early in the season, long may it continue!
glory glory man united
"""" RED KIDS RISING """. AWESOME...........BRILLIANT.........SUPERB........CHAMP19NS !!!!!
My first kudos to our unsung heroes De Gea, Anderson and Jones. Honorable mention for Nani, Rio, Cleverley and Captain fantastic Evra.
Rooney and Chicha running amuck.
That foul on Tom was wicked, I fear for his availability against Benfica.
Ando, great control from the midfield, and everywhere.
Record breakers! Just hope Cleverly will be ok. He's earned the right to get a good run.
fantastic performance, when are referees going to kop on to the thug that kicked cleverly out of the game, all brawn and no brains and he gets away with it every game he plays
United looking freakishly good. What have we learnt today? Phil Jones is extremely talented. Anderson is our main man. Carrick sucks as soon as he came the number of back passes increased ten fold. Rooney is worth every single penny he is on.....and before I forget, Manchester United is better.......?
City......forever in our shadow! Whatever you do....the reds'll do better!
They can maintain this run if they keep there concertraion. It is a big ask for them thow because the pace there playing will surley get to them at some stage of the season. I suppose thats were the sqaud game comes in.At this rate we have to keep wining because city don't look like s;owing down either.
There will be countless plaudits offered to various players after tonight's superb display, and all of them well deserved. However, I would simply say that it was a magnificent TEAM performance.
Having said that, and I accept that I am going against what I have just stated, but please forgive me for saying one further thing: I never thought that in MY lifetime I would see ANOTHER player so young and with so much power, strength and ability. Step forward, Phil Jones, you were awsome!
United 'til I die!
just on the way back and WOW! what a performance! You can see that ferguson has looked at the challenge from city, chelsea and others and realised we need to be ruthless. Kevin davies should have been sent off though. He literally did nothing except chop players down. GGMU
What a performance. Bolton is a difficult place to go to, and they are a good team. But we were absolutely brilliant. Especially Rooney, Chicharito, Nani, Jones and Anderson. We seemed to take the foot off the pedal a bit after the 5th and Evra's knock; that was a bit disappointing even if it was understandable given the run of games we have coming up, I said before the start of the season that this could be the year Anderson finally makes his mark. He's been brilliant so far.
It's looking really good. Apparently, this is the 4th time we are on top of the Premier League come September, and the last 3 times, we went on to win the league. Looking good for title number 20!
Another step forward from the blues.
I was the first to question fergis trust in the current squad. But i will also be the first to eat humble pie! Average v west brom but since then utd have obliterated teams! Its early days but he seems to have struck the perfect balance,out play arsenal and out battle bolton. ps rooney is second only to messi at the moment hes awesome.
rooney shoots 10 sept
typical bolton over physical but could not live with utd pace all through this side rooney is fast becoming the best utd player ever and jones potential is frightening no wonder the mickeys wanted him great to watch
Wesley who? We are awesome!
That was an amazing result!! Not many teams will trounce Bolton on their own ground. United were powerful, energetic and resourceful. The interchangeable play between the forwards and midfield was outstanding. The passing and movement overwhelmed a surprisingly open Bolton team. Speed and momentum will win this league. We have so many options and formations with this team. Today I saw 4-4-2; 4-3-3; 4-5-1 all within the same period of play.
The defence stood firm. De Gea had a very good game, and the players around him, protected him better and gave few opportunities for the home side. Jones was huge! It was a treat to see the depth of the bench. I hope Evans and Cleverley will recover quickly. Champions League and Chelski this week, lovely.
I so hope Tom Cleverley is not out for months. His play is positive and a joy to watch.
Kevin Davies' tackle was shocking. Bolton was ruthless in their thuggery; Utd ruthless in their football.
All three new signings have been very good but somebody mentioned on this site the other day that Phil Jones reminded him of a certain Busby Babe....that's exactly my thinking. It's early days yet but we have a great balance and freshness in the side so once again tremendous credit to Sir Alex.
City took their foot off the gas at 3-0, had 23 attempts to Yoonited's 12.
We are outclassing teams, Yoonited just taking the breaks when they land at their feet.
Bolton had more attempts on and off target.
Lets see you put eight past Chelsea next week.
Anything that the second team in Manchester can do,the first team in Manchester can do better.
Both Manchester teams had aplayer who scored a hat trick, the number one Manchester team(UNITED) could have had two hat trick players, but we (UTD) did feel sorry for Bolton.
John Adler