Bolton Wanderers 2 Manchester Utd 2:MANCHESTER UNITED will scarcely believe they have made up ground in the Premier League. At times it felt as though they had been brought to a standstill.
The afternoon does not stand in isolation either since they had previously been held at Fulham and Everton. At least they had taken the lead on those occasions. If there is comfort for United it will lie in respect for the display put on by their opponents at the Reebok.
This match, indeed, would surely have been beyond them had Johan Elmander established a 3-1 lead instead of firing wildly over the bar after breaking clear of Nemanja Vidic in the 73rd minute. Moments later, Alex Ferguson’s side were level.
It was one of the few occasions when the visitors’ display smacked of menace. That equaliser, too, was the first goal of the league campaign from Michael Owen, a substitute who was also finding the net for the 200th time in English club football.
He found a pocket of space as Nani delivered a deep free-kick from the right and glanced home a header off the inside of a post.
Admiration for such expertise diverted attention from faults elsewhere. An ineffective Wayne Rooney was substituted, but the ankle injury he had suffered should not keep him out of the Champions League game on Wednesday at Valencia.
The real issue may lie in whether he ought to start midweek when the notion he can play his way through off-field upheaval is being discredited with each pallid showing. Valencia lead La Liga and Ferguson’s team cannot afford to be poor travellers after being held to a draw at home by Rangers in the tournament.
Owen Coyle’s team had freshness and imagination. They did not show the slightest inhibition until stoppage time, when he deemed it prudent to send on two substitutes and eat up a few moments.
They were stylishly aggressive whenever possible. As United reflect on that they will also appreciate the weekend had its benefits. The other Champions League representatives, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, were all beaten. So long as he does not dwell on Manchester City’s progress, Ferguson can interpret this outcome as a step forward.
There was nothing unusual about incisiveness from Bolton Wanderers. Under Coyle’s management they are acquiring a reputation for polished football and it was enhanced here. The approach, in principle, looked ill-fated when United were sharing the pitch, but Ferguson’s line-up soon had their own vulnerability exposed as they fell behind in the sixth minute following a corner-kick.
Martin Petrov, who later put Bolton ahead with a deflected shot, flighted it from the left and Zat Knight flicked it over the line, but in normal circumstances it would have been blocked. On this occasion, full back Patrice Evra lost his sense of positioning and drifted towards the centre of the goal. Knight’s effort flew through the gap between the defender and the post.
Bolton had the desire to keep on taking the game to United and Elmander was close to connecting with a knockdown from Kevin Davies.
United’s leveller from Nani saw him run from inside his own half and neither Knight nor Sam Ricketts got in his way. An attempted challenge from Paul Robinson was too late to stop the Portuguese from scoring with a low finish.
The virtuosity of the winger had been extraordinary and although he is scarcely a mainstay of the side, his availability will come as relief to Ferguson considering he must do without Ryan Giggs, who injured a hamstring here, for the next couple of weeks.
In view of the adventurousness from Bolton, United might have wished Rio Ferdinand had been present. His back-related problems have led to him making intermittent appearances and it seemed likely he was being protected to ensure he faces Valencia.
The starting line-up was unaltered from the previous Premier League match. That 3-2 win over Liverpool had its difficulties and only Owen’s expertise prevented another failure on a day when United had to withstand a late barrage. Bolton never allowed themselves to become deferential. Ferguson will appreciate that improvement is essential before opponents are once more inhibited by the mere presence of United.
Guardian Service
