Source: Eurosport
United just as strong without Ronaldo - Megson
Bolton manager Gary Megson believes Manchester United are no weaker for the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Megson's Bolton travel to Old Trafford to take on a United side that have required late goals to salvage results in their last two Barclays Premier League home fixtures - Michael Owen's injury-time winner against Manchester City and Anton Ferdinand's stoppage-time own goal in a 2-2 draw with Sunderland.
United's shaky performances have led to renewed debate about the extent to which Sir Alex Ferguson's team are missing Ronaldo following the Portuguese's £80million summer defection to Real Madrid.
However, the Red Devils are still unbeaten for nine matches in all competitions and Megson feels the fact other players have stepped up their game has kept the champions as strong as ever.
Asked whether he thought the United team had been weakened by Ronaldo's departure, Megson said: "No - maybe they are a bit different in that Ronaldo isn't there. But they are also a little bit different in that (Wayne) Rooney is growing in stature with each season that comes along and there are one or two other players.
"People seem to be surprised (Darren) Fletcher is doing as well as he is doing, but he always has. People have always had their opinion about Darren and yet any other football club would take him tomorrow. Because he's not flamboyant, he's rarely got the credit he deserves, but now you see him starting to flourish, you see what Alex Ferguson knew all along."
