Review: Manchester United 4 Bolton 1
It’s the sort of performance that makes you start to think “We might just win it this year”. Like many fans, I’m a bit superstitious. If I even catch myself thinking that we’ll win the league this season, that will be enough to ensure that Rooney and Ronaldo will accidentally crash into each other and break each others legs. Then, Chelsea will win one game 15-0 and United will crumble back into 2nd place again. All because I dared to believe we might actually do it.
All that aside, United simply blasted Bolton aside with some devastating attacking movements. Ronaldo is simply world class and unless a world class defender is against him, he will create chance after chance. This time the main beneficiaries were Park and Rooney, both getting a couple of goals.
United brought Park in to replace Saha/Larsson but it was Giggs who was nominally the furthest forward attacking midfielder. You wouldn’t have known as all United’s forward players were very fluid and the Bolton defenders could keep track of them. United’s first three goals were all down to Ronaldo; an excellent run to the byline to play in Park from 8 yards, a brilliant run and passing combination with Rooney (starting at the end of United’s penalty area) and a shot that the Bolton keeper should have saved, but instead spooned out to Park.
United’s final goal was set up by Alan Smith, on as a sub for Ronaldo. It was a good pass and a great finish from Rooney, who had the pace and power to move around the ball so he could blast-slice the ball into the corner of the goal.
The only downside was the injury to Neville. It looked really bad, the sort of ankle ligament injury that keeps you out for far longer than you think. England will definately be without him, but for how long will United. Luckily, it is a position where we do have good backup, Wes Brown filling in competently.
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