16 January,2009 09:14 AM IST | | Agencies
Just as it seemed things could not be going better for Manchester United, a sudden flurry of injuries threatens to derail the champions' drive for a third straight Premier League title.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side head for Bolton tomorrow knowing three points will allow them to leapfrog Liverpool and top the table for at least the 48 hours before their rivals entertain Everton in Monday's Merseyside derby.
Bolton, hovering just above the relegation zone, would appear unlikely to interfere with that script, but United will travel to the Reebok Stadium without leading man Wayne Rooney and at least half their first-choice back four.
Patrice Evra (ankle) and Rio Ferdinand (back) will both definitely miss Saturday's match and Ferguson's defensive headache has been exacerbated by the injury suffered by back-up centreback Jonny Evans in Wednesday's 1-0 win over Wigan.
With Wes Brown a long-term absentee, club captain Gary Neville could find himself pressed into action as an emergency centreback and Ferguson admits he is keeping his fingers crossed that Nemanja Vidic does not join his team-mates in the treatment room.
The win over Wigan was United's ninth consecutive clean sheet and Ferguson hailed Vidic's outstanding form as the key to that run.
"His reading of the game is excellent and he is as tough as nails," the Scot said of big Serb.
Rooney's absence should give Carlos Tevez the chance to convince Ferguson that United should come up with the funds required to extend his current loan deal beyond the end of this season and prevent the disgruntled Argentina star from seeking a new challenge in Italy or Spain.
