Commentary: Man Utd 2 Bolton 0

Last updated: 19th March 2008

man utd cristiano ronaldo bolton

90 - FULL-TIME: It's all over at Old Trafford as two goals from Ronaldo prove to be the difference as United go three points clear and Bolton remain deep in trouble. A big thank you to everyone who has contributed to this evening's match - I hope you've enjoyed it as much as I have!

90 - Would you believe it? As this game peters out, with three minutes of injury-time to be played, Spurs are level again, it's now 4-4 after a stunning goal from Robbie Keane.

88 - Taylor trickles wide: Bolton almost set up a frantic finale as a deep free-kick falls to Matty Taylor inside the six-yard box, but his attempt squirms just past the post. Is that the last chance of the game?

86 - Sloppy shooting: United really could have put the game to bed as first Nani slashes a shot miles wide afte a good break from Ronaldo and then Tevez misses the target when well placed.

82 - Substitution: Bolton bring on Stelios for Guthrie for the closing stages as Bolton fan Jack, who lives in San Francisco - I'm going there on holiday in a few weeks - anyway, wonders where his team are going to score goals from.

82 - Bad tidings from Noth London: I can't just bring the good news I'm afraid as Chelsea are now 4-3 up following an excellent goal from Joe Cole.

79 - Another fine save: The ball breaks across Bolton's box to the far post to the waiting Nani, who tries to sneak a shot inside the upright but the impressive Al Habsi thrusts out a hand to turn it away. Looks a good keeper this lad.

77 - Good news for Utd fans: For those wanting an update from White Hart Lane, it's now 3-3 as Spurs have come from 3-1 behind with Tom Huddlestone just grabbing an equaliser.

75 - Saving grace: Harpreet in Kenya is being spared an early night so he can make sure he finds out the score before he goes to bed! Keep sending in your comments to mark.buckingham@bskyb.com so we can keep Harpreet awake and others across the globe who are following the game, such as Johann in Iceland.

71 - Substitution: Double change for United as Rooney comes on for Saha - perhaps I was being a bit unfair - while Scholes is on for Anderson. 20 minutes to go, is there going to be a change in the score? Seamus thinks it's going to finish 4-0.

70 - Yellow card: Steinsson, who was fortunate to escape a caution earlier, is booked for barging into Tevez.

68 - Saha stinker: More good work from Ronaldo as the ball finds its way to Saha, who shanks one somewhere into the top of the stand. He's holding his hamstring, but maybe that's just an excuse for a poor effort!

67 - Al Habsi equal to Ronaldo: The United captain has a chance for a hat-trick but his thumping drive is beaten smartly away by Al Habsi, who has been more than an able deputy for the injured Jaaskelainen. Could he be No.1 on a permanent basis?

65 - Weathering the storm: United slowly appear to be getting some possession back after a sloppy start to the second half, while Bolton have been a transformed team, but has their best chance gone? One person hoping it hasn't is Simon, who has a Ronaldo 1st scorer and United 2-1 win bet at 48/1 and he has promised me as many flapjacks as I want! Come on Bolton!

62 - McCann tries his luck: It's all Bolton now, they must have had a half-time rocket from Megson, as McCann unleashes a sweetly-struck effort from 25 yards which forces Kuszczak into a fine save low down to his left.

61- Substitution: United have conceded defeat - not in the match - but in trying to stop Vidic's nosebleed, so Brown comes on to partner Pique at centre-half.

60 - Hunt howitzer: Bolton substitute Hunt sizes up a bouncing ball and lets rip with a well-struck volley, but fortunately for Kuszczak it is straight in his direction and he tips it over the bar. Is a Bolton goal a formality?

59 - Bolton looking brighter: The visitors have come into the game in the last few minutes, with Taylor firing a low across into the near post. Vidic is currently struggling to stop a bloodied nose, while Bolton appear to have stemmed the red tide going forward.

56 - Not so lucky second time: Diouf tries again but Kuszczak is alert to this one - to be fair to Wiley he did let everyone know that the free-kick shouldn't have been taken before he blew his whistle.

56 - Quick-thinking penalised: Diouf curls a superb free-kick into the top corner, but alas it is chalked off as Alan Wiley had not blown his whistle. Could have made for an interesting second half if that had stood.

52 - Davies drills one: The Bolton striker, who has battled manfully up front with little decent support, smacks in a low shot which is saved by Kuszczak. He looks Bolton's best bet for goal, with Guthrie likely to be supplying the ammunition.

51 - Someone's not happy: Karen thinks it's all been about Ronaldo tonight, so let's redress the balance a little bit if we can. Come on Bolton fans, let us know if you think your team can get back into the game tonight.

49 - Sunny side up: Des in New Zealand is enjoying the game on a glorious sunny morning - sounds fantastic! And Ryan wants to know where my flapjack is from but at the risk of jeopardising future sponsorship deals I best not say! Keep your comments coming in to mark.buckingham@bskyb.com

47 - Super save: From the resulting free-kick, it is Nani who steps up inside the dee and he fires in a low shot which Al Habsi stretches out well to save and does well to claim the ball before United can pounce on the rebound.

46 - Steinsson a lucky boy: Having been all at sea for the first long ball since moving to centre-half, Steinsson goes in over the ball and catches Tevez on the boot - United just get the free-kick, but it could have been worse for Bolton.

46 - We're off again: Bolton get things going for the second half and they have made a change with the hapless Meite given the rest of the night off, with Hunt coming on at right-back and Steinsson shifting to centre-half.

Crumbs: Yes, there are some strewn all over my keyboard as I break away from my flapjack to throw in a few more comments. Louise hopes history doesn't repeat itself as the last time Bolton went down they played Chelsea on the last day of the season, and guess what? Also, and this person will remain nameless for reasons they will understand, well done for sneaking off a bit of work to keep up to date with the game!

45 - HALF-TIME: United look to be heading three points clear at the top of the table after two Ronaldo goals in the first half, one a scuffed shot, the other a wonderful free-kick. Thanks to all those who have chipped in during the first half and big shout-outs to the likes of Kevin, Charles and Dennis, whose comments have not been used - sorry I can't get them all on! Anyway, I'm off for a half-time cup of tea and a flapjack! Keep emailing in to mark.buckingham@bskyb.com for your second-half comments.

45 - Ronaldo praise: Craig says Ronaldo is a God, Hunter says he is the best in the world and Joe goes over to the field with his mates to practise taking free-kicks in the same way. Have you belted one in like Ronaldo yet?

42 - Yellow card: First booking of the night as Andy O'Brien, not the most cultured of centre-halves, has his name taken for a late rap around Saha's ankles. Can't complain about that, although you could complain about Saha's performance - looks very much off the pace.

39 - Duck; by the corner flag: Davies, who has not given United's defence a moment's rest, tries to take the game to the hosts, but he slices his shot some way wide of Kuszczak's goal.

36 - Ronny has to keep it going: West Ham fan Matt has chipped in to the Best-Ronaldo debate and he feels Ronaldo needs to keep doing it for a few more seasons, but rates the stand-in skipper 'a sheer class act'. And, as he says, that's coming from a West Ham fan!

35 - Tricky Tevez: Slick passing from United presents Tevez with the ball and he skips infield, with his dancing feet gliding him past a couple of defenders and he fires a shot straight at Al Habsi - possibly should have set up Ronaldo, but that's being picky.

33 - Wonderful move: Not much has been happening in the game to be honest, but there was a superb piece of play from United involving O'Shea, Ronaldo and Tevez which forces Bolton into conceding a corner, from which Vidic's header is hacked away near the far post.

32 - No Diouf fans in the house: Jim - a different one, don't know if he is still a red, though - expects Diouf to get so frustrated that he will get sent off, while Shankar feels Liverpool made the right decision in dumping him, says he's too much of a whiner!

30 - Time for drinks: Jimmy the Red from Winnipeg wants a brown and mild and doesn't think there is much point in making comparisons between Best and Ronaldo due to the different eras they played in - very valid point.

24 - Diouf frustrated: The Bolton forward is unhappy at being penalised for a raised boot and, to be fair, Pique stuck his head in there. Is this going to be one of Diouf's frustrating evenings, or can he galvanise Bolton into action? Email me your thoughts at mark.buckingham@bskyb.com

20 - GOAL! That man has done it again! Ronaldo hits a stunning free-kick beyond Al Habsi. Set more or less dead centre about 25-30 yards from goal, Ronaldo fires it in trademark style, with the ball dipping, swerving all over the show and flying past the despairing dive of Al Habsi. Just one more goal from Ronaldo and the drinks are on Peter!

18 - What a save: Bolton almost draw level with a move that United would have been proud of. Guthrie gets down the right and pulls a superb ball back to the far post, which Davies controls brilliantly with his shot, but Kuszczak races across goal to block. Is this an encouraging sign for Bolton, or has their best chance now been and gone?

15 - How do Bolton respond? Bolton have whipped in a couple of set-pieces, but currently look unlikely to fashion something from open play as Nani smashes a shot over the bar. Jordan says Bolton are looking a shambles at the back, but is that being kind or unfair?

11 - The Best yet? Ronaldo's goal takes his tally for the season to 32 goals to equal a United record for a winger set by George Best. But who is the best?

9 - GOAL! The reprieve lasts just a few seconds, though, as from the resulting corner, Bolton fail to clear and the ball breaks for Ronaldo on the penalty spot and he smacks it past Al Habsi, who has no chance. That's a good start for Liverpool fan Peter who has a bet on that Ronaldo will score a hat-trick tonight!

8 - Scare for Bolton: A poor touch from Meite gives United a sniff of goals as Saha plays the ball through to Tevez, who chests it down but can't apply the finish.

7 - Steinsson gets stuck in: The first meaty challenge of the night sees Steinsson bring Anderson down from the back with a scissors-esque challenge. Over-exuberance at this early stage and nothing to get Fergie's dander up just yet!

4 - Slow start: United are just feeling their way through the early stages, with the new-look defence getting some early touches of the ball. And Craig in Canada is supremely confident about a home win, saying United will 'romp' it by four or five goals!

2 - Gunning for away win: Arsenal fan Will has been in touch and he is desperately hoping for an away win to take the pressure of the previous leaders and he thinks Bolton will take the lead, but predicts United to come back to win 3-1. Is he going to be right?

1 - Not so worried: Shehan, who is following this game from Canada, is not quite so concerned and he particularly does not expect Hargreaves' selection at right-back to be a problem.

0 - Kick-off: Cristiano Ronaldo is captain for United tonight, and Kevin Davies is skipper for Bolton, as the hosts get things going and they will be attacking the old Stretford End in the first half.

United concern: Shankar Sathyamoorthy is a United fan who is already worried. He fears Ferguson's gamble could backfire, but will his worries be realised?

Reaching his Pique: United defender Gerard Pique is making his first start in the Premier League since the 1-0 defeat at Bolton in November. He was at fault for the goal that day. Is lightning going to strike twice? Let me know what you think, and what you think the score is going to be.

10 minutes til kick-off: Gary Speed has scored Bolton's last two goals at Old Trafford, was it a mistake letting him go to Sheffield United in January? While Wayne Rooney scored twice in last season's home win for United, is it a gamble to leave him on the bench?

My mistake: Apparently, Owen Hargreaves will be playing at right-back tonight for United, but should Sir Alex Ferguson have changed his defence? Evra is on the bench after what happened in the 1-0 defeat at Bolton, is this the right decision? Email me at mark.buckingham@bskyb.com throughout the game to let me know your thoughts. And what about Bolton? What is their best chance of getting a result from tonight's game? How big a miss will Cahill and Nolan be?

Bolton team: Al Habsi, Steinsson, Andy O'Brien, Meite, Gardner, Diouf, McCann, Guthrie, Joey O'Brien, Taylor, Davies. Subs: Walker, Giannakopoulos, Campo, Hunt, Rasiak.

Team news: Bolton boss Gary Megson has made four changes from the team which lost 1-0 at Wigan on Sunday after Gary Cahill and Kevin Nolan both failed late fitness tests. Ivan Campo and Tamir Cohen also drop out of the starting line-up as Meite, Guthrie, McCann and Joey O'Brien come into the side.

Man Utd team: Kuszczak, Fletcher, Pique, Vidic, O'Shea, Ronaldo, Anderson, Hargreaves, Nani, Tevez, Saha. Subs: Foster, Evra, Brown, Scholes, Rooney.

Team news: United have made seven changes from the team which started Saturday's 1-0 win at bottom club Derby, with only Vidic, O'Shea, Anderson and Ronaldo retaining their places. Tevez and Saha will start up front, Nani is on the lift and Hargreaves comes into midfield. Kuszczak is back from suspension and replaces Foster in goal, Pique will play at centre-half and it looks like Fletcher will start at right-back.

Welcome to skysports.com's minute-by-minute commentary on Manchester United's game with Bolton Wanderers, which also gives you the chance to offer your views on the match as it progresses.