Manchester United hope to put their stuttering title bid back on track when near-neighbours Bolton Wanderers arrive at Old Trafford on Saturday.
The Red Devils have had Bolton's number in recent seasons after winning eight of their last nine games against the Trotters.
However, United have flattered to deceive at times this season and were lucky to escape with a 2-2 draw against Sunderland in their final game before the international break.
A stoppage-time own goal secured a scarcely deserved share of the spoils for the champions, who have dropped four points from their eight games so far this season.
Sir Alex Ferguson's post-match comments criticising the fitness of Alan Wiley have made plenty of headlines but failed to deflect from the fact that United were poor on the day.
Ferguson will be hoping that Wayne Rooney can shake off a calf injury which forced him to miss England's World Cup qualifier against Belarus on Wednesday.
Rooney has netted seven goals already this season and is a perennial scorer against Bolton both at home and away.
Michael Owen could be fit enough to return from a minor groin problem should Rooney not be risked ahead of next week's Champions League trip to CSKA Moscow, which leaves just Owen Hargreaves (knee) on the sidelines.
Bolton arrive at Old Trafford looking to maintain their five-game unbeaten run which has taken them into a comfortable mid-table berth.
The Trotters held an in-form Tottenham Hotspur to a 2-2 draw on their last outing and continue to be a hard nut to crack for some of the top sides in the Premier League.
This season Wanderers have found goals less hard to come by with Tamir Cohen (3) and Matt Taylor (2) joining Kevin Davies (2) in picking up the slack left by a hamstring injury to striker Johan Elmander.
Source: DSG
