United sweating on Vidic verdict

BOLTON 0, MAN UNITED 4

Bolton manager Owen Coyle has accused Nemanja Vidic of a "terrible challenge" on Johan Elmander.

Vidic flattened Elmander during the second half of Manchester United's 4–0 win at the Reebok Stadium, a result which kept the Red Devils at the top of the Premier League.

Elmander required five stitches in a head wound after a challenge that went completely unpunished by referee Martin Atkinson.

"I can only assume the referee has not seen it," said Coyle.

"I am not looking for excuses, but anyone who has seen it knows it was a terrible challenge."

The key will be Atkinson's observations because, if the referee claims he got a clear view, as was the case with both Gerrard incidents, the FA is powerless to act.

"It was a real battle," admitted Ferguson.

"I said to the referee at half–time it was supposed to be a game of football. He handled it the best way he could.

"You need to show composure because the ball is never out of the air and we needed some fantastic defending at times.

"I don't know how many times Nemanja Vidic headed the ball clear, but it must have been thousands."

The possibility of Vidic being suspended for next weekend's crunch Old Trafford encounter with Chelsea will cast a pall over United's preparations for their Champions League quarter–final with Bayern Munich tomorrow.

There is some good news for United, though, with Ferguson confirming both Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand will be fit to face the Germans after missing out at Bolton with a bruised heel and a groin injury respectively.

The calculated gamble to keep them out paid off, as Dimitar Berbatov scored twice and Darron Gibson added another with his first touch to round off a comfortable win.

United were indebted to Jlloyd Samuel, who inexplicably drove Ryan Giggs' low cross into his own net seven minutes before the break, the 11th own goal the Red Devils have profited from this season.

For United it was the perfect response to the seven goals Chelsea scored against Aston Villa earlier in the day, and sets up a mouthwatering clash on Saturday, whether Vidic is available or not.