United Edge Bolton to Go Top

By Brian Lofrumento | 17th January 2009

United Edge Bolton to Go Top | read this item

berbatov-winner-vs-bolton For the first time this season Manchester United fans are celebrating reaching the summit of the Premier League table. Finally level with Liverpool in the games played column (although that will change again on Monday), Manchester United showed that they still have what it takes to win the league, even with several key players out.

Narrow Victory

While United always looked more likely to beat Bolton at the Reebok Stadium, it took a Dimitar Berbatov header in the 90th minute to lift the Red Devils to a 1-0 win. A huge sigh of relief for Sir Alex Ferguson, and a second successive letdown for Gary Megson and the Trotters.

While United have been edging victories out all season, their good form must be attributed to their solid defense. With Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra both injured, Jonny Evans and John O’Shea slotted into the back four as they’ve done on so many occasions this season. With Evans and Vidic at the heart of the defense, United held on to yet another clean sheet. In fact, United have now kept the opposition out on 10 consecutive occasions, which ties Chelsea’s record for most consecutive clean sheets.

Injuries

Jonny Evans is just one of players in the current United eleven that deserves immense credit for stepping up. Squad players such as Evans and Darren Fletcher have played a key role in United’s run to the top, as five starters from last season’s Champions League final are currently out injured.

Wes Brown, Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra, Owen Hargreaves, and Wayne Rooney all started in Moscow last May, and all five players are currently in the Old Trafford physio room. Coupled with an off-form Cristiano Ronaldo, all signs have been pointing towards a United slip, but that has not been the case this year. This can only suggest one thing: there is much, much more to come from the defending champions.

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