Manchester United's Headliners, Articles and Rumours

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Pique out to make his point

SPANISH youngster Gerard Pique is getting his reward for sticking with United.

And Michael Carrick, for one, believes he has made the right decision.

The young star has forced his way in from the fringes and a spell out on loan, to earn first-team recognition.

Sir Alex Ferguson sent the defender he lured from Barcelona back to Spain for a temporary season-long stretch at Real Zaragoza.

They wanted to keep him and earlier this month, it was revealed that Atletico Madrid had also attempted to prise the 20-year-old from Old Trafford. But for Pique the future is red.

"Zaragoza tried to sign me in the summer but I knew what the answer would be," Pique said.

"Since the first day I arrived, Sir Alex has showed me he has a lot of confidence in me and I'm trying to do my best to show him I can be part of this team. I can be a United player.

"He talks to you a lot - not only about football, but about everything in life.

"Elsewhere, there are other leaders. Rio Ferdinand talks a lot to you on the pitch and helps you out.

"Ryan Giggs is quiet but in the dressing room the power and the experience he has really comes out.

"It's important for players like me to be around someone like Ryan because the confidence he has in himself can pass on to you and it helps your game."

Carrick believes Pique - and other emerging United young guns such as Danny Simpson and Anderson - will be well served at Old Trafford.

"It wasn't that long ago I was in the same position, trying to establish myself," he said. "I have seen these boys in training for the last year or so and I know how much quality they have got.

"It is just a matter of being patient and making sure you show your potential when you do get the chance.

"There is no better place to learn your trade than here. I am sure they will improve bundles just by having the opportunity to train with some of the lads we have here."

Meanwhile, Pique's confidence will have rocketed after he was handed his first Champions League start against Dynamo Kiev, when he scored the opening goal.

"It was a big problem," he joked after his first strike in a Reds shirt. "I didn't know how to celebrate the goal!"

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We need a tall striker man

[l3atu]

Originally Posted by x500

We need a tall striker man

Can buy Crouch....

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O'Shea set to sign

JOHN O’Shea is close to putting pen to paper on a new deal at Manchester United.

The versatile Irishman still has a year and a half left to run on his current contract – but is on the verge of tying up a new four-year deal at Old Trafford.

And he revealed he has no intention of leaving the club he’s been at since he was 17.

O’Shea said: “I have this season and the next on my current contract, but I am very close to signing a new deal that will keep me at United into my 30s.

“It is something I want to do. I want to stay here, everything is good and this is where I want to be. I have never looked to go elsewhere.”


Vidic poser for United

NEMANJA Vidic is at the centre of a delicate club versus country tug-of-war following the second postponement of Serbia's European Championship qualifier with Kazakhstan.

Continuing heavy snow in Belgrade meant the game, originally supposed to be played on Saturday, was again called off and re-arranged for next weekend at a venue and time that is still to be decided by UEFA.

With Serbia still having a chance, even if it is a very slim one, of reaching next summer's finals, Vidic's presence will no doubt be required by his country.

However, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson would also like Vidic in his squad for Saturday's Barclays Premier League trip to Bolton.

Much may depend on the outcome of Wednesday's matches as, if Portugal collect a point from their final game against Finland, or Serbia fail to overcome already-qualified Poland, they will be out, which may mean a United request to release Vidic will be looked upon rather more sympathetically.

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Glazer vows to back Fergie
American owners insist they remain committed to the club long-term

The Glazer family have reassured Manchester United supporters that they are committed to the club on a long-term basis.

Scepticism was rife when the Glazers took control at Old Trafford, with the Americans receiving a less than rapturous reception by large sections of the club's supporters.

The suggestion was that they were only investing for short-term gain but on the contrary, their regime thus far has seen Sir Alex Ferguson backed to the hilt.

An eye-catching summer of spending saw Owen Hargreaves, Nani, Anderson and Carlos Tevez all lured to Manchester.

Joel Glazer admits that the atmosphere in and around the ground is infectious and he insists Ferguson will continue to receive his family's full support.

"Sir Alex Ferguson will be given all the resources to compete at the highest level possible," Glazer told the People.

"When you're around this club, the heritage, the history - when you're walking around Old Trafford, it's an incredible feeling.

"But with it comes a lot of responsibility and we take that very seriously.

"Manchester United are one of the few truly global sports teams in the world.

"We have a global fan base of around 140 million. It's the only club we were ever interested in."

Owen back for England

ENGLAND have received a further boost ahead of Wednesday's clash with Croatia - with the news that Owen Hargreaves is available.

The Manchester United midfielder was ruled out of Friday's 1-0 win against Austria following further problems with his knee.

Hargreaves has struggled with tendinitis all season and stayed back in Manchester while his international team-mates flew out for the friendly.

But will meet back up with Steve McClaren's squad for the crucial final Euro 2008 qualifier on Wednesday.

Darren Bent has also been called up after Michael Owen was ruled out with a thigh strain.

McClaren has told his players they must not blow the lifeline they've been given by Israel's 2-1 win against Russia.

England now need only a point to qualify and the manager said: "What is really important is that we get the job done on Wednesday night.

"I know we have made life difficult for ourselves by dropping points early on in the group - but we have played a lot better in the second half of the campaign, which is why I am convinced the players will do their job.

"It is back in our own hands now and we really need the whole country to get right behind the team over the next few days.

"We have to get the result on the pitch on Wednesday night, while we really want the fans to generate a really big Wembley atmosphere, just as they did against Russia."

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Modest Vidic in demand

NEMANJA Vidic cannot understand what all the fuss is about when United fans treat him as a cult hero.

In fact, the Serbian defender believes he is distinctly "average" as a footballer, and only gets by on application, determination and work-rate.

But United, who are still sweating on the big defender's availability for Saturday's trip to Bolton, clearly disagree, having recently handed the Serb a contract extension until 2012.

And the fans have taken his no-nonsense style to heart - something which puzzles the 26-year-old former Spartak Moscow player.

"In every game I give 100 per cent - maybe sometimes I have a bad day but I always try my best," he says. "I always want to win the ball and maybe fans recognise those things and like that about me.

"This is my game and it's how I've always played and how I'll continue to play. I'm not sure why they like me so much."

Vidic may be required for international duty this weekend after Serbia's scheduled Euro 2008 qualifying game with Kazakhstan was postponed.


Evra eyes new United deal

Manchester United ace Patrice Evra is keen to sign a new deal at Old Trafford.

United are reportedly preparing a new contract for Evra to tie him down long-term.

Evra, who has a year-and-a-half to run on his current contract, has established himself as United's first-choice left back and is a key member of Sir Alex Ferguson's side.

Ferguson is keen to secure his top stars on new long-term contracts and Evra is set to be rewarded for his fine form with an extension.

Evra's representative Federico Pastorello confirmed the France international would be happy to extend his stay at the champions.

"Patrice is under contract until 2009 and he is very happy at Manchester United,"

"He has a great relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson and he has a lot of respect for him.

"He would be happy to extend his stay as he enjoys playing with such great players and such a great club."

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Man Utd joy as Rooney makes rapid recovery

Wayne Rooney, the Manchester United and England striker, will return to club training at Carrington today just 11 days after damaging his ankle, according to sources within the England camp.

Rooney's quick recovery from an injury sustained playing head tennis comes too late for him to feature for England against Croatia tomorrow, although the popular forward will be present in the dressing-room before kick-off to help fire up Steve McClaren's side for a game they must at least draw to qualify for Euro 2008.

England's head coach has already contacted Rooney and invited him down to Wembley. McClaren is keen for his most important unavailable players, like the injured Rooney and John Terry, to gather as the squad make the final push towards Austria and Switzerland. It is all part of the united England feel McClaren seeks to foster.

United themselves will be delighted at the sight of Rooney training. When he suffered the injury on Nov 9, United predicted that Rooney would be out for four weeks. Depending on how his ankle reacts to training, he could be back in competitive action far more quickly than the initial prognosis.

It is a tribute to Rooney's determination and United's medical staff that he is back so swiftly. United's Premier League match with Bolton Wanderers on Saturday will be too soon for him, although he could feature in next Tuesday's Champions League Group F tie against Sporting Lisbon.

Sir Alex Ferguson's champions have played only one game in Rooney's absence, a Premier League victory over Blackburn Rovers at Old Trafford.

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Reds pinch Burnley wonder-kid

HE'S been described as the next Theo Walcott - yet he somehow wound up at Turf Moor instead of one of Europe's leading clubs.

He's a German-born Ghanaian - but has already represented England at youth level.

And he's a die-hard Liverpool supporter - but resisted the overtures of Rafa Benitez to sign for United.

The world of John Cofie is full of complexity and contradiction. But such is the 14-year-old's potential that Sir Alex Ferguson simply refused to let him slip through his grasp.

Cofie was virtually unknown to the public before Burnley's low-key announcement that they'd struck a deal with United.

Impact

But the impact was significantly felt at Liverpool and Chelsea, who had harboured hopes of stealing in ahead of Ferguson.

Benitez saw the young striker as the crowning glory to his development programme at Anfield, which has seen them win the FA Youth Cup for the past two years.

But Clarets' former manager Steve Cotterill expressed his anger at Liverpool's attempts to sign him on the cheap - believing the six footer to be worth far more than the Merseysiders' offer of £250,000.

The full details of the move to United remain uncertain, but Cofie cannot sign a professional contract until he is 17.

He is, however, expected to stay with the champions for at least six-years, which will see him beyond his schoolboy term and academy scholarship.

The compensation could be worth as much as £1.25m - though that figure has not been confirmed.

United have also agreed to a friendly with Burnley, a 25 per cent sell-on clause and have guaranteed the Championship side first refusal, if and when, Cofie goes out on loan.

For Fergie, the capture of the Liverpool fan whose heroes are Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, represents a real coup - particularly after missing out on some high-profile starlets in recent years.

Interest

Though the Reds' boss recruited the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney - Arsenal beat him to the signature of Walcott, Tottenham landed Gareth Bale, while Jon Obi Mikel controversially spurned United for Chelsea.

Fergie also had to fend off interest from Barcelona, as the teenager's lofty reputation is already known on the continent.

A prodigious athlete, his only competitive football came playing for army representative sides when his father was stationed in Germany.

It was originally thought he'd be a sprinter, recording times of around 11 seconds in the 100m in schools competitions.

But with Europe's top clubs circling once he moved to Burnley, it was clear his future lay in football.

He could make his United debut this week, playing for the U15s.

Cofie's family's legal representative, Tim Bailey of Beswick Sports, said there is no doubting his potential.

"We advise a lot of young players, but only a very small percentage make it," said Bailey. "Everybody agrees he's got something special. Being at a club like United will help him develop.

"They look after their players very well and that was a big factor in his parents making the decision."

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Reds play down Rooney hopes

UNITED have scotched reports that Wayne Rooney has returned to training.

Rooney suffered an ankle injury in a training-ground accident a fortnight ago and was immediately ruled out for four weeks by manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

It was not expected the England forward would figure again for the Reds until the crunch Premier League visit to Liverpool on December 16.

However, reports emerged overnight that the 22-year-old had been given the green light to start training again - way ahead of schedule - and could even be involved in Saturday's Barclays Premier League trip to Bolton, where he scored a hat-trick last season.

The news has come as a surprise to United officials, who felt Rooney was still some way off a comeback.

Sources inside Old Trafford have confirmed Rooney is still undergoing treatment and has not resumed training.

It leaves Ferguson with the same striking conundrum for the Reebok Stadium visit - because Carlos Tevez is not due back from World Cup duty with Argentina until Friday morning, while Louis Saha's fitness has not exactly been something United have been able to rely upon this season.


Give me a break - Tevez

Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez has admitted his trip to South America for Argentina's World Cup qualifiers has tired him out.

The skilful attacker is not expected to return to England until Friday.

He helped his country to defeat Bolivia at home on Saturday and is currently in Colombia, where he will play a game at altitude in midweek.

Red Devils team-mate Wayne Rooney is still out injured so Tevez may have to play at the weekend against Bolton despite his tiredness.

“It has been very difficult to play under the Buenos Aires sun against Bolivia; it tired me a lot because now I am used to playing all the time under the rain in England,” Tevez declared during a press conference.

“Coming to Argentina and playing in such conditions killed me; I couldn’t put my feet up, honestly.

“I am just starting to recover. We are trying to rest to the maximum to recover energy.”

Tevez, who joined United from West Ham in the summer, is very happy at Old Trafford and does not regret his controversial move.

“I improve every day,” he said. “I learn from my team-mates and from the coach. It is a very nice experience.”


Tevez sees red!!!

UNITED striker Carlos Tevez was sent-off as Argentina suffered their first defeat of the World Cup qualifying campaign as Colombia fought back from a goal down to secure a 2-1 victory on Tuesday.

Tevez saw red after 24 minutes after clashing with Colombia defender Ruben Bustos before Lionel Messi's brilliant solo goal handed Argentina the lead 10 minutes later.

Bustos curled home a brilliant second half free-kick to level the match before Dairo Moreno converted Freddy Grisales' 82nd minute cross to maintain Colombia's unbeaten start to the campaign.

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£10m Veloso is United's next Portuguese target

Sir Alex Ferguson is strongly considering adding to the Portuguese contingent at Manchester United by making a transfer-window move for Miguel Veloso, Sporting Lisbon's impressive young midfielder.

Ferguson, taking the advice of his assistant Carlos Queiroz, has identified Veloso as the next potential star to emerge from the Sporting youth ranks that also produced Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani. Veloso, who has broken into the Portuguese national side at 21, has been the outstanding player in La Liga this season and it is a measure of United's interest that Ferguson's brother Martin, the club's chief scout, has been a virtual ever-present recently at the Estadio Jose Alvalade XI. United have been represented at six of Veloso's last seven matches.

Veloso is predominantly a holding midfielder, a position in which Ferguson is hardly short of players. Owen Hargreaves is a specialist, Michael Carrick and Anderson are both accomplished players in the position and Paul Scholes also has a deep-lying role. Ferguson has been slowly modifying his line-up to a 4-2-3-1 system and he has received glowing reports about Veloso's ability to break up opposition attacks. One scouting report from last season details how Veloso outshone Patrick Vieira when Sporting beat Internazionale in the Champions League.

His form has been so impressive that a clutch of other leading clubs, most notably Real Madrid, have also been monitoring him closely but United have a clear advantage because of their long-standing association with Sporting and it is thought there have already been informal talks. The official line from Sporting is that they do not want to sell their best players but the club are famous for developing outstanding youngsters and then selling them on and they have informed Veloso's representatives that they will not try to block a move if the money is right.

It would take a substantial bid to prise him away from Lisbon - potentially in the region of £10m - because Veloso agreed a six-year contract in January and the price could rise if, as expected, Madrid confirm their interest in the new year.

Veloso, a member of Benfica's youth academy before defecting to Sporting at the age of 14, comes from a famous sporting family - his father Antonio is a former Portugal international defender. He broke into the Sporting team last season and can also play at centre-half as well as left-back, something that will undoubtedly appeal to Ferguson now that Gabriel Heinze has left United.

With Mikaël Silvestre out with a serious knee injury, Patrice Evra is the solitary left-footed defender in Ferguson's squad. John O'Shea provides back-up but Ferguson is aware that this is the one part of his team where he is short of players. Veloso's performance will, therefore, be of acute interest when Sporting visit Old Trafford next Tuesday in the Champions League.

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Baptism of fire for Vidic

LITTLE wonder that the bruisers of the Premier League hold few fears for Nemanja Vidic, after he spent some of his childhood dodging bombs and bullets.

The 26-year-old Manchester United defender has revealed in an interview on the club's official website that his early years were scarred by the wars which ravaged the former Yugoslavia for a decade - just as he was trying to build a career for himself as a professional footballer.

The series of conflicts started in 1991 when Vidic was just nine years old, and reached their height in 1999 when NATO planes, including some from the Royal Air Force, bombed his home town of Uzice.

And Vidic says that football played a big part in keeping up morale when the shrapnel was flying and his town's bridges and official buildings were being reduced to rubble by the precision bombing campaign.

Scared

"Football was very important," he said. "Even while Serbia was being bombed, people were still playing football. Red Star Belgrade still had football matches and people were still going to watch the games, even though there was a war on. It was amazing!

"I remember when the bombing started and for the first month we were too scared to go out and play football because we didn't know what was happening. Nobody knew where the bombs would be.

"But after a month, people relaxed a little more and they realised the targets were military and government buildings, or bridges.

"So then we thought it was OK to go to the stadiums and play football - we knew they wouldn't bomb there. People still wanted to lead their lives and watch football."

And he says that the sport also offered the Serbs - heavily criticised for the war crimes of some of their leaders - a chance to present a human face to the world:

"In the 90s football was everything. It was the best way to show the world who we were. At the time, there were a lot of bad things happening in our country - there were murders, bombings, war - and it was important that Red Star Belgrade and the national team played well to counteract the negative propaganda.

"It was the best way to show that Serbians also love football and sporting events. Today, football is still the No 1 sport in Serbia and everybody wants to play for Red Star Belgrade or one of the top clubs in Europe.

"Football is a big part of life for the country's young people."

Trouble

Football was blamed for part of the problem - there is even a claim that a strife-torn match between Croatian side Dinamo Zagreb and Vidic's former club Red Star Belgrade in 1990 poured fuel on the flames of trouble.

"There was a big fight at the match - fans tore up seats, some got on to the pitch, even players were involved," said Vidic.

"I remember watching the match on TV and seeing Zvonimir Boban kick a policeman, which caused a lot of trouble.

"At that time, there was a very, very cold relationship between what is now Croatia and Serbia - but now I think most of the bad feelings have stopped and people realise going to war was not the right thing to do.

"I don't have a problem with Croatian people and I don't think they have a problem with Serbians. The 90s was just a very unstable time and politics went very, very wrong. I cannot speak for everyone on this, though. These events are bigger than me and they are bigger than football."

As well as playing football, Vidic and his friends found relief from his country's troubles by watching the game on the box - and says he can barely believe that players he watched as a kid, such as Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, now line up alongside him in a red shirt.

"I used to watch Giggsy and Scholesy and now I play with them every day. It's a great feeling. But now I realise Giggsy is just another person - a very professional player, but also just a person and a friend.

"Scholesy's a great player, too. He loves football and he loves having the ball at his feet. He takes a lot of enjoyment from playing passes, scoring goals and even making tackles."

Vidic hints, jokingly, that maybe he could teach Scholes a thing or two about tackling: "He goes in very strong, though, and is always very committed.

Proud

"Players such as Scholesy and Giggs are the kind of people young players need to watch and learn from. They've played at the very top level for so many years and won so many trophies. I think that's very admirable and people should learn to be more like those two. It's great for me to come to the club and learn from them.

Vidic is proud to represent his country, and that could cause United a problem on Saturday, if Serbia are still in with a chance of qualifying for Euro 2008.

Sir Alex Ferguson will have the final say on whether Vidic will be allowed to play in the qualifier against Kazakhstan, which was postponed last Saturday due to heavy snow in Belgrade, as the re-arranged game falls outside the agreed FIFA calendar window.

Fergie is likely to wait for the outcome of tonight's games between Serbia and Poland, and Finland and Portugal, before making a decision - a failure to win by Serbia, or a Portuguese point, would make Saturday's final group game academic and would see Vidic return.

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Tired Tevez gives Reds worry

CARLOS Tevez has given Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson a striker headache ahead of Saturday's trip to Bolton.

The Argentina international revealed he has been left exhausted by travelling to South America for his country's World Cup qualifiers with Bolivia and Colombia this week.

The diminutive hitman is not due back in Manchester until tomorrow - just 24 hours before the Reds visit the Reebok Stadium.

And Tevez's comments will hardly be music to Fergie's ears after the champions moved quickly this week to dismiss reports Wayne Rooney was set to make a rapid recovery from the ankle injury he picked up in training before the international break.

Tevez and Louis Saha are United's only two fit senior strikers, but the Argentine admitted: "It has been very difficult to play under the Buenos Aires sun against Bolivia. It tired me a lot because now I am used to playing all the time under the rain in England.

"Coming to Argentina and playing in such conditions killed me. I couldn't put my feet up, honestly.

"I am just starting to recover. We are trying to rest to the maximum to recover energy."

Ferguson might at least be thankful that his player managed just 24 minutes before being sent-off against Colombia on Tuesday.

Tevez has begun to blossom at Old Trafford after making a tentative start to his United career.

The former West Ham man failed to score in his first six appearances following his controversial move in the summer, but since opening his account in the 2-0 win against Chelsea, he has begun to form a mouthwatering partnership with Rooney.

But Ferguson's lack of back-up shows why he continues to be inked with a January move for another hit-man.

The injured-ravaged Saha only been available in fits and starts, while Rooney has been sidelined twice already this season.

With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer announcing his retirement in August, Fergie knows he could find himself short of options at the business end of the season.

He might be tempted to renew his interest in Tottenham's unsettled Dimitar Berbatov in the January transfer window or he could turn his attention to Ajax's Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

On Saturday, United could rely on Saha as a lone front-man against Bolton, who are still to win under new manager Gary Megson.

The Frenchman has proven on numerous occasions he is arguably the best equipped at United to operate on his own, while there are other supporting options in the shape of Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani and Ryan Giggs.

Tevez is likely to play some role ansd his progress is winning him fresh plaudits in his home country as well as in England.

Argentina legend Gabriel Batistuta believes his countryman can go on to become a United great, saying: "Carlos is undoubtedly at a good club at a good moment in his career.

"He is still young. But he is already fantastic, has great talent and at United has a big chance to fulfil it."

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Giggs hails quality of squad

Winger heaps praise on summer signings

Ryan Giggs has hailed the talent within the Manchester United squad, praising the youngsters' enthusiasm.

United are currently second in the Premier League table, level on points with leaders Arsenal.

The champions have built on last season's side, with Sir Alex Ferguson bringing in Nani, Anderson, Owen Hargreaves and Carlos Tevez.

Nani, specifically, has made an impressive impact during his 16 appearances so far.

Giggs has heaped praise on the squad, explaining that training sessions are brimming with quality.

"When you come into training and you're up against young, quality players, it's a test every day," he said in the Daily Star.

"That only helps to bring your game on. There's so much enthusiasm amongst the lads and it's a great place to be at the moment.

"The new lads have all bedded in really well and very quickly, bringing something new to the team already this season.

"Nani, with his spectacular goals and celebrations, while Anderson has shown what a top player he is with some fantastic performances.

"We knew all about Owen's qualities and he's produced those every time he's played. And Carlos has brought that extra dimension to our attacking play.

"They've also added something different to the dressing room. They're all very enthusiastic and the team spirit is as good as ever."

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Bolton v Man Utd

Reebok Stadium
Saturday, 24 November
Kick-off: 1500 GMT
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Team news to follow later.

BIG-MATCH FACTS
The 109th league meeting of these two Greater Manchester rivals could see United at the top of the table and Bolton still below the safety line at the final whistle.

No club has won more Premier League matches this season than Manchester United (nine), and no club has won fewer than Bolton (one).

Bolton have drawn four and lost one of five games since the appointment of Gary Megson, and are chasing a first win under the new manager against the tightest defence in the Premier League.

Manchester United are unbeaten in 10 league outings; Wanderers are pursuing a first win in 10.

The Trotters have conceded more Premier League goals to Manchester United than to any other club (40).

Bolton are making a ninth attempt to clinch a first ever home Premier League victory over Manchester United. They've not taken maximum points off the Red Devils in front of the home faithful since a 3-0 top flight triumph on 22 December 1978. A brace from Frank Worthington and an Alan Gowling goal decided the issue 29 years ago.

CLUB FORM
BOLTON WANDERERS

Club stats
Fixtures
Highest realistically achievable after Saturday's matches: 15th
Lowest could fall: 20th

1. One of only two clubs with just one Premier League victory; the other is Derby. Also, one of three clubs with just one home Premier League victory so far this season. The others are Middlesbrough and Derby. Reading are the only club to have left the Reebok without any points.

2. Not won in eight; drawn three and lost five league and cup games since beating Rabotnicki Kometa 1-0 in the Uefa Cup first round second leg at the Reebok on 4 October.

3. Drawn five of the last seven Premier League fixtures, including the last three against Aston Villa (h), West Ham (a) and Middlesbrough (h); it is the longest current sequence of draws in the highest league.

4. Won one of 19 Premier League outings; winless in nine, having picked up five points out of 27.

5. Eight points from the first 13 games equals their worst ever start to a Premier League season in 1995-96. That was their first taste of football in this league, which saw them finish bottom and suffer immediate relegation.

6. Averaging 0.62 points per game, having dropped 31 of the 39 available. Only Derby exceed that; 33 points dropped. Eight points were dropped from winning positions; losing to Fulham and Portsmouth - both away, and drawing, home to Aston Villa.

7. Yet to beat a top half club. Drawn two and lost four of their six fixtures against clubs currently in the top 10.

8. Won one of the last seven Premier League fixtures against north-west clubs; 1-3, away to Wigan on 7 April.

9. Need to score one goal to total 200 in home Premier League games all-time.

10. This match precedes Thursday's Uefa Cup Group F tie, home to Aris Salonica, and a Premier League trip to Liverpool on Sunday, 2 December.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Club stats
Fixtures
Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 1st
Lowest could fall: 2nd

1. Undefeated in nine; won eight and drawn one in all competitions, since the 0-2 home defeat by Coventry in the third round of the Carling Cup on 26 September; their only loss in 15 outings.

2. Dropped only two points from a last possible 30, since their only league defeat this term; 1-0, away to Manchester City on 19 August.

3. Kept eight clean sheets in the Premier League so far this season - more than any other club; seven of those have been in the last 10 matches.

4. Opened the scoring in an unrivalled 10 Premier League matches this season.

5. Heading the Premier League's "Last Six Current Form" table with 16 points out of 18.

6. Completed 53 league games since a loss by more than a single goal; 3-0, away to Chelsea on 29 April 2006.

7. Meanest defence in the Premier League with six goals conceded from 13 outings, at one every 195 minutes (three hours 15 minutes) on average. Liverpool have also let in just six, but from 12 matches, at one every 180 minutes (three hours).

8. Yet to lose to a lower half club; won five and drawn one of their six fixtures against clubs in the bottom 10.

9. Unbeaten in four league games on the road (three wins, one draw), and already returned from Everton, Birmingham and Aston Villa with maximum points.

10. This match precedes Tuesday's Champions League Group F tie, home to Sporting.

KEY PLAYER NOTES
BOLTON WANDERERS

Nicolas ANELKA is Bolton's leading scorer with seven goals, including six of the clubs 11 in the Premier League.

Kevin DAVIES is a hat-trick shy of 100 club career goals (Chesterfield, Southampton, Blackburn, Millwall and Bolton).

Jussi JAASKALAINEN is the only player to have been on the field for every minute of every one of Bolton's Premier League matches this season.

Gary SPEED, the only player to have netted in every Premier League season, is a double shy of 100 career league goals (Leeds, Everton, Newcastle and Bolton).

If selected:-

SPEED will be extending his record breaking number of Premier League appearances to 533.

DAVIES will be making his 150th league appearance for Bolton.

Kevin NOLAN will be making his 300th club career appearance - all for Bolton.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Wayne ROONEY, who's currently injured, has scored five Premier League goals against Bolton - all five were netted last season.

Cristiano RONALDO is Manchester United's top scorer this season with 10 goals, and leading Premier League marksman with six.

Ryan GIGGS is one short of 100 career league goals.

Rio FERDINAND is the only remaining player to have started all of Manchester United's Premier League matches this season.

When he returns from injury and next plays from the outset, Gary NEVILLE will be making his 350th Premier League start for Manchester United.

HEAD TO HEAD
Wayne Rooney celebrated his 21st birthday earlier in the week, by completing a hat-trick in last season's 0-4 triumph over Bolton in this identical fixture last season.

United scored eight goals against the Trotters last term.

Although they are yet to defeat the Red Devils on home territory, Bolton have recorded two Premier League victories at Old Trafford: 1-2, on 20 October 2001 and 0-1, on 11 September 2002.

Home and away
League (inc PL): Bolton 40 wins, Man United 44, Draws 24
Prem: Bolton 2 wins, Man United 10, Draws 4

at Bolton only
League (inc PL): Bolton 24 wins, Man United 16, Draws 14
Prem: Bolton 0 wins, Man United 5, Draws 3


LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Bolton Wanderers 0-4 Manchester United
28 October 2006 - Ref: Rob Styles
Man United scorers: Rooney 10, 16, Ronaldo 82, Rooney 89

REFEREE
Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear)

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Man Utd prepare for Wayne Rooney return

Wayne Rooney has been pencilled in to make his Manchester United comeback against Fulham on Dec 3.

Rooney suffered an ankle injury in training at Carrington a fortnight ago and was initially ruled out for a month.

However, while Sir Alex Ferguson denied reports his 22-year-old striker had already returned to training, he did confirm Rooney should be fit to face Fulham a week on Monday.

"Wayne did some light running yesterday and is doing well. He won't be fit for the match against Bolton tomorrow or Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday but he should be fine for Fulham," Ferguson said.

Ferguson confirmed skipper Gary Neville will make an appearance for the Red Devils' second string next week as he steps up his battle back from a series of muscular problems.

However, Carlos Tevez is fit to face Bolton at the Reebok Stadium, with Ferguson rejecting reports from Argentina that the forward was 'feeling tired'.

Apart from long-term injury victims Paul Scholes, Park Ji-sung, Mikael Silvestre and Ben Foster (all knee) Ferguson's only doubt for tomorrow is defender Nemanja Vidic.

The Serbian has been released from international duty but picked up a knock against Poland which could see Wes Brown start at centre-half alongside Rio Ferdinand.


O'Shea signs new United deal
Ireland international earns new contract

John O'Shea has signed a new contract at Manchester United that will see him stay at Old Trafford until 2012.

The versatile Republic of Ireland international has proved to be an integral member of Sir Alex Ferguson's squad and has been rewarded with a three-year extension to his current deal.

O'Shea, who can operate in midfield or defence, has set his sights on bringing yet more silverware to the Premier League champions.

He told the club's official website: "I'm really pleased to be extending my contract with the champions. I have been at the club since the age of 17 and it is a dream come true to play for such a great club.

"I hope to play my part in bringing more trophies to the club and to continuing the success with this young, exciting team. I would like to thank the boss, the staff and the fans for their continued support."

Ferguson added: "John has developed in his years here at the club and is now regarded as one of the more experienced players.

"He has proved through his personality and professionalism he is an outstanding credit to the club and I am delighted he has signed a new contract."