United 3 Bolton 0

and Phil Jones at the back.

Lindegaard retained the goalkeeper's jersey for a third successive outing, while comeback kid Scholes, sensationally out of retirement last weekend to boost United's title bid, started his first competitive match since May 2011 at the expense of fellow midfield veteran Ryan Giggs.

Wayne Rooney and Welbeck spearheaded the Reds' attack but it was Nani who had the game’s first chance, blasting wide after barely a minute. Welbeck spurned an opportunity, laid on by a fantastic searching ball by Michael Carrick, shortly afterwards, although did at least draw a save from Bolton stopper Adam Bogdan.

Carrick was in creative mood early on and almost found Welbeck again with a superb lofted pass from deep in the Reds’ half. The no.16, challenged recently by his manager to become “the pivotal player of our team”, certainly made his mark on this fixture.

Bogdan had to be alert to bravely divert a Nani cross after 15 minutes, before Rooney was twice denied by Bolton defenders - Sam Ricketts with a last-ditch block and Mark Roberts with a goal-line clearance from Rooney’s looping header.

Rooney suffered further frustration on 22 minutes when Bogdan flung himself to his right and brilliantly saved the striker’s penalty, awarded after Zat Knight had clumsily tugged Danny Welbeck to the floor. It was