Trotters v. United - Match Preview

Late Fitness Test
By Chris O'Brien
April 1 2006

Manchester United face seventh-placed Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, desperate to keep slim Premiership title hopes alive. The Red Devils are sweating on the fitness of skipper Gary Neville, with Ruud Van Nistelrooy ready to take the captain's arm-band again should the Englishman miss out.

Manchester United visit neighbours Bolton on Saturday in a game the Red Devils must win to keep slim Premiership title hopes alive. Sitting nine points behind leaders Chelsea, United still harbour title aspirations as we enter the final seven games of the season, but three more points is essential at the Reebok Stadium.

Sir Alex Ferguson is sweating on the fitness of Gary Neville ahead of the weekend's Lancastrian derby. The England international is still struggling with a hamstring problem, and Gerald Pique will continue in the right-back position if the skipper fails a late fitness test. Kieran Richardson and Wesley Brown both remain in the treatment room, with United expected to keep Ruud Van Nistelrooy in the starting line-up after his scoring return against West Ham on Wednesday.

Sam Allardyce, tipped for the England job by Fergie, will be hoping to see his Trotters side secure a fourth successive home win as a hard-working and physical side continue to dream of European qualification. They are widely-tipped for a Uefa Cup place, and currently sit just seven points behind a Champions League berth, enjoying two-games in hand.

United, of course, are on a fantastic run. Wednesday's 1-0 win over the Hammers was a seventh consecutive Premiership win, whilst the Red Devils have been beaten only twice in eighteen 2006 matches. The bookmakers are favouring United to continue their excellent run of form, priced at 5/6, with a home valued at 3/1 and the draw looking a good bet at 21/10.

Birmingham City entertain Chelsea in Saturday's early kick-off, and if Steve Bruce can end a torrid spell of form to help out his former club, then, maybe, this title race could be thrown wide open! C'mon United!