Premier League preview: Bolton v Man United

Bolton’s run of difficult fixtures continues Saturday when they host the in-form Manchester United at the Reebok Stadium.

After an opening-round win over Queens Park Rangers, Owen Coyle’s side have succumbed to defeats by heavyweights Manchester City and Liverpool in the English Premier League this season.

The workload does not get any easier given that a visit from Sir Alex Ferguson’s side is next on the agenda, with the Red Devils’ devastating form a point of concern for Coyle.

United obliterated a skeletal Arsenal line-up 8-2 in an electric performance from the champions last time out.

The win came at a cost after striker Danny Welbeck picked up a hamstring strain.

But United’s plethora of strike options means one of Javier Hernandez, Dimitar Berbatov or Michael Owen are likely to step into the starting line-up.

Despite both Berbatov and Owen scoring in fixtures against Bolton last campaign, Mexico international Hernandez will be favoured to resume his successful partnership with the in-form Wayne Rooney, who has already netted five goals this term.

If the first three games are anything to go by, however, Ferguson has held no regard for last season in his selection policies.

The likes of Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Tom Cleverley have all featured prominently in a new-look United outfit that is churning out the same results for the Scottish manager.

United are still missing centre-back Nemanja Vidic (calf), Rafael (shoulder) and Antonio Valencia (foot), but the latter is in contention to make the squad this weekend.

Bolton’s injury concerns are all long-term, with Lee Chung-Yong heading the list with a broken leg.

The sides drew 2-2 at the Reebok last season.