Bolton Win Delights Boss

Sir Alex Ferguson was delighted with Manchester United’s attacking threat in Saturday’s 3-0 win against Bolton Wanderers.

Paul Scholes, Danny Welbeck and Michael Carrick all found the net, but it could have been many more. The Reds enjoyed almost twice as much possession as the visitors, peppering the Bolton goal with 23 attempts and 35 crosses.

“I’m happy with the scoreline. I thought the football we played was very good and we missed some good chances,” Sir Alex said. “The penetration and running off the ball was very pleasing. But we had to wait until right on half-time to get the goal, which put us in a more comfortable position.”

It was Scholes, in his first game at Old Trafford since coming out of retirement earlier this month, who broke the deadlock, sweeping home his 151st United goal.

“Paul Scholes popped up there when he should have been sitting in the centre of midfield and controlling things,” Sir Alex joked. “But he’s got that instinct for goal – he’s always had it as a kid – and he’s delivered for us again.”

The manager went on to describe Scholes as “one of our greatest players” and said the 37-year-old can still be key to Manchester United.

“You see that performance today, you see the quality he’s got... you don’t lose that. He’s been training hard the last few weeks.

“Today we took him off at the right time. He’s given us over an hour of real quality and scored an important goal. He’s back.”

Danny Welbeck and Antonio Valencia also came in for high praise, while the manager believed Wayne Rooney’s early penalty miss affected the striker’s confidence.

“Danny Welbeck was fantastic. He got a little twist to his knee but he should be okay. Valencia was also brilliant, absolutely brilliant.

“Wayne had moments but he can do better. I think missing the penalty kick maybe upset him a little bit. But it’s a good partnership [he and Welbeck].”