Manchester United 2 - 1 Bolton Wanderers

Berbatov concern for Red Devils

Updated: October 16, 2009, 1:47 PM UK

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will wait for the return of Dimitar Berbatov from Bulgaria before finalising his line-up for the Old Trafford encounter with Bolton.

Aside from two games for his country, Berbatov has also been with his partner, who has just given birth to the couple's child, so Ferguson will need to ensure his £30.75million record signing is in the right frame of mind to face Gary Megson's side.

Wayne Rooney (calf) is definitely out, while United also have doubts over Darren Fletcher but Michael Owen returns after a groin problem and Edwin van der Sar will make his first appearance of the season after suffering two broken fingers during a pre-season trip to Munich.

Ahead of the game, Ferguson hailed Ben Foster as England's number one goalkeeper - and promptly axed him from his own team in favour of van der Sar.

Foster has endured mixed fortunes since stepping in for Van der Sar when the veteran Dutchman broke his fingers.

There have been times when the 26-year-old has excelled, notably at Wigan and Stoke, when excellent saves at crucial times provided United with the platform for victory.

However, Foster's mistakes come to mind more readily. There were two against Manchester City and another a fortnight ago when Kenwyne Jones shrugged him aside to score a goal that would have given Sunderland victory had it not been for Patrice Evra's deflected injury-time leveller.

Foster's most recent experience is a better one, keeping a clean sheet for England on Wednesday as he collected his third cap in the win over Belarus.

In confirming it will be Foster's last high-profile game for a while, Ferguson insists his faith in the former Watford man is undiminished.

"I still feel he is the best English goalkeeper around,'' said the United chief.

"He has been outstanding in a lot of things. The save he made on Wednesday was typical of his performance level with us too. They are a demonstration of the guy's ability.

"But he still has not had a lot of game time and experience. His injuries have curtailed the progress he was making.

"He is only going to get better, though, and there is no question he will be a fantastic goalkeeper.''

Sam Ricketts is Gary Megson's only fresh injury concern for Bolton.

Defender Ricketts is a doubt after pulling out of Wales' World Cup qualifiers with an ankle problem.

Johan Elmander returns to the Wanderers attack after missing the 2-2 draw with Tottenham with a hamstring injury.

Sean Davis and Joey O'Brien are both long-term absentees with knee problems.

Looking ahead to the clash, Megson believes United are no weaker for the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo.

United's shaky performances have led to renewed debate about the extent to which Ferguson's team are missing Ronaldo following the Portuguese's £80million summer defection to Real Madrid.

But ahead of the game, Megson does not believe United are any worse off without the winger.

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 that (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.''