SOCCER ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE:MANCHESTER UNITED'S match against Valencia at the Mestalla on Wednesday looks to have turned into an even more severe test after yesterday's 2-2 draw with Bolton Wanderers was accompanied by a number of injury concerns for Alex Ferguson.
Ryan Giggs strained a hamstring that will rule him out for a fortnight. Rio Ferdinand, who was not involved in the match, may well return but there is no certainty over a centre-half with back-related problems whose appearances are now intermittent and Wayne Rooney is also a worry.
The injury that saw him replaced at Bolton was more than a random knock, even though the attacker is expected to face Valencia.
“He has a little issue with his ankle,” said United’s assistant manager, Mike Phelan, who said it would be examined this morning.
“He has been playing with it for a couple of weeks now and we decided he wasn’t getting into the areas we wanted and he wasn’t getting chances, so we had to change it.”
A point against Bolton was satisfactory since United were twice behind and by drawing had a better weekend than the other Champions League representatives, Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs, who were all defeated.
However, it is Ferguson’s men who are under the greater stress on the European front after the 0-0 draw with Rangers in their opening game.
Ferguson did, however, see some encouraging signs at the Reebok.
“In the first half we should have done better but we did well to come from behind,” he said.
“The second half was very even. Bolton were a real handful and our chances were reduced but we must take credit for coming back again.”
The second of United’s levellers was expertly taken by the substitute Michael Owen for his first league goal of the season.
It brings him more strongly into contention to be in the starting line-up against Valencia but his satisfaction after the Bolton game was qualified.
He claimed his goal was “tinged with a bit of disappointment” and rued the fact that United had only partly exploited their opportunity.
“We were helped with a few nice results [on Saturday],” said Owen, “but when you don’t capitalise fully it is disappointing.”
Underachievement by United is partly linked to Rooney’s subdued form, although sympathy for him is diminishing.
As Kevin Keegan – one of the match analysts at the Reebok – remarked, a person who reportedly sold his wedding photographs to the press cannot complain too much if newspapers then carry other pictures that are not to Rooney’s liking.
United have more orthodox concerns. It is irksome for the club, too, that they have drawn all three away Premier League matches to date, even if they had no lead to let slip at the Reebok.
Such difficulties for a leading club are, however, heartening for the Bolton manager, Owen Coyle.
“I certainly wasn’t surprised that West Ham could win at home [against Tottenham] and I wasn’t surprised we could achieve a result,” he said.
“The margins for error in the Premier League are minimal. It’s probably been great for the league this week that a lot of teams have believed they could win against the elite clubs. That’s the way it should be.”
Coyle was particularly pleased by Martin Petrov’s display and goal and was also philosophical about Johan Elmander’s failure to put Bolton 3-1 ahead.
“That chance would have never have come had he not driven 40 or 50 yards and beaten three or four men,” said Coyle.
“He was magnificent today. He is a player playing at the top of his confidence. On another day that ball would have rolled into the top corner. I am certainly not going to criticise a player who’s given me everything and shown unbelievable quality as well.”
There was even sympathy for Rooney from Coyle. “I think maybe it’s time to lay off him and let him play his football if you want the best for your country.
“Wayne Rooney as a footballer is an absolutely class act,” he added.
“I have always felt Manchester United and England as a country are very fortunate to have him.”
Phelan confirmed later that Rooney should be fit for the trip to Valencia.
Guardian Service
