Bolton Wanderers vs Manchester United preview - De Gea is top keeper - Coyle

Posted Saturday, September 10, 2011 by PA

Bolton boss Owen Coyle believes his side can find a way to overcome Manchester United - but does not view goalkeeper David de Gea as a potential weak spot in Sir Alex Ferguson's team.

United have started the season in impressive fashion, hammering Arsenal 8-2 in their last outing to make it three wins from the opening three fixtures of their Barclays Premier League title defence.

If they have looked uncertain in any position, it is in goal, where Spanish youngster De Gea, signed over the summer as a replacement for the retired Edwin van der Sar, has appeared to struggle at times.

The 20-year-old saved a penalty against the Gunners, though, and Coyle is certainly not thinking Bolton might have an easy task getting past him.

The Scot does, however, feel Wanderers - who led United twice at home last term in an eventual 2-2 draw - have it in them to pull off a victory when the two sides meet again at the Reebok Stadium.

"David de Gea is a top goalkeeper - there is no doubt about it," Coyle said. "With Manchester United, it is difficult to find any weaknesses, but my focus will be on making sure my group are at their best.

"We know as long as we get to our maximum that we can sleep well at night.

"What we don't want to do is be below that - it leaves that bad taste in your mouth, so I will be stressing to my group that we have to get to our best.

"If we do that, although we certainly won't be able to match Manchester United over the course of a season, on any given day we can win these games."

Bolton's trio of new signings David Ngog, Gael Kakuta and Dedryck Boyata are poised to make their debuts.

Stuart Holden has been playing for the Wanderers reserves as he continues his comeback from the knee injury he sustained in March, but is unlikely to feature at the weekend.

Ricardo Gardner (groin) is also still working his way back to full fitness, while Lee Chung-yong, Tyrone Mears (both broken leg), Marcos Alonso (broken metatarsal) and Sam Ricketts (Achilles) are long-term absentees.

Meanwhile, Sir Alex Ferguson credits Patrice Evra for being the unsung hero behind Ashley Young's remarkable introduction to life at Manchester United.

An £18million summer purchase from Aston Villa, Young has enjoyed a blistering start to his Old Trafford career, scoring two excellent goals against Arsenal a fortnight ago to cap a succession of outstanding performances.

Young's knowledge of Wayne Rooney's game from their time together with England has been cited as the reason why his transition has been so smooth.

Ferguson has spotted something different.

He believes Evra's attack-minded approach to his full-back role has allowed Young more space to display his talents.

"Some players come to a club like ours and find it difficult to settle in but Ashley has done exceptionally well," said the United boss.

"He is versatile and has a good understanding of the game.

"He is getting great support from Evra on the left-hand side. The great experience Patrice brings is very important for a player coming to our club."

United first spotted Young's talent many years ago.

However, Ferguson concedes the 26-year-old is a different player now to the one he kept an eye on back then.

"We tried to get him when he was at Watford but were just a bit late," he said.

"He has matured at Aston Villa and his form last season was fantastic considering they had a difficult year.

"Since he has come to us, he has taken the challenge very well."

In-form Danny Welbeck will return to training next week after the hamstring injury he suffered against the Gunners with Javier Hernandez ready to replace the 20-year-old.

At the back, what once would have been the worrying absence of skipper Nemanja Vidic is now a mere inconvenience to a defence from which Rio Ferdinand is again set to be absent due to Ferguson's selection, rather than any injury concerns.

Instead, Phil Jones, Jonny Evans and England's new right-back Chris Smalling are set to be retained.

"It is a difficult one," admitted Ferguson.

"None of that back four deserve to be left out.

"That is the great thing about football. You pick yourself with your performances, like they have been doing, and I don't anticipate any real changes."