Nicolas Anelka's early strike inflicteda second Barclays Premier League defeatof the season for United, who turned inan uncharacteristically subduedperforman ce at the Reebok Stadium.Gary Megson's struggling Trotters sidebattled ferociously for the victory,but were aided by a Reds performancewhich only got going in the final 20minutes, when an incredible miss fromCarlos Tevez ultimately proved costly.The Argentine striker somehow contrivedto stab the ball wide from inside thesix-yard box after a fine cross fromPatrice Evra, spurning easily the bestchance of a frustrating afternoon forUnited.Cristiano Ronaldo was omitted from theReds squad entirely, having posted twofull matches for Portugal during lastweek’s international break. NemanjaVidic, meanwhile, failed to recoverfrom a back injury sustained on dutywith Serbia, and he was replaced in thestarting line-up by Gerard Pique.The young Spaniard, making his secondPremier League start for the Reds, wascaught out as Bolton took the leadafter 11 minutes. Pique tried to headIvan Campo’s clipped free-kick clearbut misjudged the flight of the ball,allowing Anelka to control, turn andsweep a finish past Edwin van der Sar.Clearly invigorated by the recentappointmen t of manager Gary Megson,Bolton were living up to the snarling,energet ic reputation built up duringSam Allardyce’s time at the Reebokhelm. United, in stark contrast, lookedtotally out of character for themajority of the first half.But for wayward shots from Louis Sahaand Owen Hargreaves, United had littleto show for their possession. PatriceEvra had bumps and bruises from theopening half, however, thanks to arunning battle with robust Trottersstriker Kevin Davies, who was bookedfor a late lunge on the Frenchinternatio nal defender.The interval came and went with littleaction either side of it, although SirAlex Ferguson was sent to the standsfor remonstrating with the officials atthe end of the first period. The hostsrarely threatened in an attackingsense, but the absence of United'strademar k slick passing and ballretention made for a desperately poorgame.With half an hour remaining, Sir Alexreplaced Pique with Brazilianmidfiel der Anderson, switching WesBrown to the centre of defence and OwenHargreaves to right-back.I t was the makeshift full-back who hadUnited's first on-target effort of thematch almost immediately afterwards.After Evra had been brought down 25yards from goal, Jussi Jaaskelainen hadto be alert to tip Hargreaves' free-kick over the bar.That effort prompted United's firstspell of sustained pressure, withAnderson's buzzing intent right at thehub. Nani fizzed a shot pastJaaskelainen 's near post, before Tevezsomehow flicked Evra's cross wide withthe goal gaping.Unite d were appealing long and loud fora penalty with 10 minutes remaining, asNani saw his cross ricochet off RicardoGardner's upper arm inside the area,but referee Mark Clattenburg waved awaythe claims.A s the game entered stoppage time Evraburst onto Giggs' through-ball but,rather than slide the ball back for theunmarked Saha, the full-back slashed ashot high over the bar.There was still time for just one morechance, but Hargreaves' 25-yard free-kick agonisingly cleared the bar andclipped the roof of the net.The frustration perfectly summed up apainful afternoon for United, who wereleft to rue an under-par performanceand a second league defeat of theseason.Bolton Wanderers: Jaaskelainen; Hunt,Meite, A O'Brien, Gardner; Guthrie(Wilhelms son, 74), Nolan (McCann, 82),Campo, Diouf; Davies (Speed, 70),Anelka.S ubs not used: Al-Habsi, Michalik.Man chester United: Van der Sar; Brown(O'Shea, 89), Ferdinand, Pique(Anderson, 59), Evra; Nani, Hargreaves,Carri ck, Giggs; Tevez, Saha.Subs not used: Kuszczak, Fletcher,Eagles.
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