Fan preview: Manchester United travels to Bolton hoping to remain unbeaten

Posted Saturday, September 10, 2011 by YAHOO Sport

On Saturday, Sept. 10, Manchester United will face Bolton hoping to remain unbeaten ahead of next weekend's huge clash with Chelsea. Meanwhile, Bolton will be looking to even up their record after looking horrible in their 3-1 loss to Liverpool before the international break.

Here are three thoughts about Saturday's matchup:

Will Chicarito return to the starting lineup?

The surprising Danny Welbeck is out of the lineup with a hamstring injury, and Javier "Chicarito" Hernandez appears to have fully recovered from the concussion he suffered over the summer. With his body renewed, Chicarito will likely start the match Saturday opposite Wayne Rooney. However, I have to wonder how soon he'll be able to regain the form that landed him the starting job last season. With a weak Bolton backline, I think we'll quickly find out if Hernandez is ready for the long EPL season.

Is the Red Devils' defense healed?

Unfortunately, the Manchester United defense is still dealing with injuries. Captain Nemanja Vidic and defender Rafael will both miss the game at Reebok Stadium, but Rio Ferdinand could make his return to the starting lineup. The United backline has performed admirably with all of these injuries, but with the Champions League starting soon, the club needs these players back and healthy. In the meantime, I think the Red Devils will be fine for one more week with a weakened defense.

Will Manchester United struggle on the road?

It seems like a silly question to ask, but there was a noticeable difference in how the Red Devils performed at Old Trafford last season and on the road. In the team's one road match this season, a 2-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion, Manchester United struggled to put the game away. They had to rely on an 81st minute Steven Reid own goal to finally win the match, but the Red Devils often looked lost and unmotivated.

Perhaps the West Bromwich match is just a case of early season struggles, and I understand that Manchester United isn't going to look perfect every time out. I just hope that the team doesn't go through another string like they did last year when they struggled to put opponents away on the road.The EPL is a stronger league this year, even if Chelsea and Arsenal aren't as talented as they have been in years past.

Manchester City and Liverpool have made major moves to strengthen their squads, and they both look like contenders.

Manchester United will have to win more on the road this year in order to win the league again.