Ten-men Scrape to Victory

Dimitar Berbatov struck three minutes from time to give ten-man Manchester United a precious 1-0 Premier League win over Bolton.The hosts were already labouring badly when Jonny Evans was sent off for a reckless second-half challenge on Stuart Holden.But United made light of the handicap and after Matthew Taylor had failed to take a glorious chance for the visitors, Berbatov pounced, netting his 21st goal of the season after the normally reliable Jussi Jaaskelainen had failed to hold Nani's long-range effort.After missing each other on Tuesday, Rio Ferdinand and Fabio Capello were both present in the Old Trafford directors' box amid heightened speculation that John Terry is about to be reinstalled as England skipper.Someone who looked suspiciously like Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Douglas Costa was there too, an interesting development given United were so heavily linked with the Brazilian last year.The major figure though was Sir Alex Ferguson, who began a five-match touchline ban by communicating with the home dug-out by telephone.It was probably just as well Ferguson was in the sanctuary of the stands as his opinion of Andre Marriner's decision not to award United an early penalty when Javier Hernandez's shot bounced onto Gary Cahill's arm was probably not worth repeating.

Once that call went their way, Bolton enjoyed themselves.Fabrice Muamba revelled in the space afforded to him by a United midfield too light on physical contact and with Kevin Davies and Johan Elmander getting the better of Evans and Chris Smalling the hosts creaked badly.Edwin van der Sar got his positioning just right to ensure Martin Petrov's curling free-kick did not find the net, Daniel Sturridge failed to make the most of a half-chance and Elmander fired a thunderbolt straight at Patrice Evra.There was over half an hour on the clock when the hosts carved out a decent chance, Antonio Valencia, on his first start since September, rolled a pass to Wayne Rooney.The England man cut a cross back to Hernandez at the near-post but the Mexican could not keep his near-post effort on target.Rooney was off target with a couple of efforts too but United were so lacklustre it was no surprise both Fabio and, more importantly, Dimitar Berbatov were introduced at the break.The double change triggered a shift in momentum, with United gaining the initiative.However, Berbatov's relative lack of pace compared to Hernandez was a major factor in the Bulgarian getting caught offside as he tried to gain half a yard in his attempts to reach through balls from Smalling and Rooney.Petrov was not too far away with a speculative effort from an acute angle after he received the ball straight back from his own corner, proof that Bolton remained a huge danger.

The Red Devils were starting to force their opponents back though, even if the end product was more of an increase in pressure than anything tangible in the way of clear-cut opportunities.Bolton survived when Rooney used his strength to collect a short pass from Ryan Giggs and lay the ball off to Berbatov.The £30.75million striker managed to get his snap-shot away but it was marginally off target.Cahill then outsprinted Berbatov to reach Valencia's through ball before the entire complexion of the contest changed with Evans' dismissal.The Northern Ireland defender has never been regarded as a dirty player and on first glance, it appeared Evans had merely come out on top in a 50-50 duel for possession.Marriner was close enough to come up with a different theory, producing a red card that forced Michael Carrick to take up a defensive position and Rooney to operate in central midfield.

For Holden, the injury was serious enough to warrant immediate calls for a stretcher, just over 12 months after he broke a leg in a tackle with Nigel de Jong that nearly forced him to miss the World Cup.The loss of a player did not affect United's attitude as Wayne Rooney went close.But there were gaping holes at the other end and Taylor could only hold his head in his hands as he sent a free header from eight yards straight at Van der Sar.Bolton must have known such opportunities could not be squandered, even against a side with 10 men.And as Berbatov tapped home, following Jaaskelainen's blunder, the feeling of this being a key day in the title battle was inescapable.

Ferguson Banned for Five Matches

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been suspended for five matches and handed a £30,000 fine following comments he made about referee Martin Atkinson earlier this month.The FA sanctions will commence on March 22, meaning Ferguson will be confined to the stands for the FA Cup semi-final with Manchester City at Wembley as well as Premier League clashes with West Ham, Fulham, Everton and, most crucially, away at Arsenal.Premier League leaders United are just three points ahead of the Gunners, who have a game in hand.The FA was unhappy with comments Ferguson made following a controversial 2-1 defeat at Chelsea, when the United boss said he had "feared the worst" when Atkinson was appointed match official for the Premier League clash on March 1, adding: "You want a fair referee, or a strong referee anyway - and we didn't get that."An FA statement read: "At an independent regulatory commission today (Wednesday) Sir Alex Ferguson was handed a touchline suspension for three matches and fined a total of £30,000."

The commission found the charge of improper conduct relating to media comments proven, following remarks made in relation to match official Martin Atkinson in post-match interviews after Manchester United's fixture with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday 1 March 2011."Furthermore the commission invoked a two-match suspended touchline ban, relating to a previous charge of improper conduct in relation to media comments made in October 2009. Therefore Sir Alex Ferguson was ordered to a serve a five-match touchline ban commencing on Tuesday 22 March 2011."The United boss was angry over Atkinson's failure to dismiss Chelsea defender David Luiz for fouls on Javier Hernandez and Wayne Rooney at Stamford Bridge after he had already been booked.

He was further upset when Chelsea were awarded what he considered a "soft" winning penalty when Yuri Zhirkov took a tumble under a challenge from United centre-back Chris Smalling. ESPNsoccernet can reveal that the Ferguson's legal team have been promised full written reasons for the decision, which they will study before deciding on an appeal."I am sure Sir Alex feels that there is an FA agenda against him," a source said. "When you look at what Harry Redknapp said about collusion between the linesman and the ref, and Martinez about bias, but they 'do' Sir Alex over the word fair."The FA have said there can only be one interpretation over his use of the word fair, but this is a draconian penalty and you can imagine Sir Alex is not exactly swinging from the chandeliers about it."He might appeal, but he might just accept it and get on with it, but he's not happy about it and it has left a bitter taste."This is the fifth time in five years that Ferguson has been charged because of comments either to or about a referee.

Hernandez And Rooney Delight Fergie

Sir Alex Ferguson purred over the burgeoning partnership between Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez after the Mexican's double fired Manchester United into the Champions League quarter finals.Hernandez showed a poacher's instinct as he grabbed two goals from close range but Marseille made it a nervy night at Old Trafford thanks to Wes Brown's own goal eight minutes from time.After sealing progress to the last eight for another year, Ferguson said how pleased he was at the blossoming understanding between his two young strikers."It's been developing well,'' he said. ''Where Wayne has been playing in the past couple of games he is a real threat. He has such power and speed and Hernandez is unbelievable with his movement. The boy has goals in him.''United's win came at a cost though, with defenders John O'Shea and Rafael both forced off with what appeared to be hamstring injuries.

That forced Ferguson to make substitutions he felt unsettled his team and contributed to an anxious end to the game.''It was nervy because so many players came off with injuries,'' he said. ''It shifted the balance of team. I would have rather brought on Darron Gibson because the problem tonight was always going to be height and it caused us problems.''Ferguson said he hoped Nemanja Vidic would be fit for the weekend, after missing the game through injury. ''We'll have to wait and see,'' he said. ''Jonny Evans started training this week so hopefully he will be back.''

Rooney admitted he was relieved to overcome a stern test of United's Champions League credentials: He said: ''We are delighted to be through to the quarter-finals. It was a difficult game, we knew they were a physical team with a lot of power - we just deserved it in the end.''Rooney laid off the pass that allowed Hernandez to open the scoring after five minutes and put United ahead in the tie after the first leg finished goalless. The England striker admitted he enjoyed playing a slightly withdrawn role behind his young team-mate, who has now scored 16 goals in his debut season, and was preferred to Dimitar Berbatov.''He's got great movement so I'm playing the position that I did when I started playing professionally. I'm enjoying it and thankfully he's a finisher,'' Rooney said. ''It's not often forwards get the chance to be on ball and enjoy playing. I enjoyed tonight.''He added: ''Our gameplan was to attack them first half and to get a goal or two up. We managed to get one and we held on. 'We were unfortunate to concede the goal.''Rooney said he would be happy to meet Barcelona in the next round, adding: ''If you want to win the tournament you need to play and beat anyone. 'Whoever we get next we'll be confident we can beat them.''

Marseille missed early opportunities with striker Andre-Pierre Gignac blasting over soon after Hernandez's opener before Souleymane Diawara headed wide when unmarked six yards from goal.Asked if the result would have been different if they took those chances, OM boss Didier Deschamps said: ''I am sure. 'My team have young players but after they have done well, and we had good opportunities, we don't score. 'Then when it was 0-2 it was more complicated for us.''He added: ''The players felt it was possible (to win) because Manchester was not fit physically. 'A lot of their players missed this game through injury, it was not the best team of Manchester. We tried but it was not enough for us today.''

Hernandez Double Seals Progress

Javier Hernandez is already a Manchester United cult hero but tonight two goals from the Mexican striker opened the door to European success in his debut season at Old Trafford. The summer signing scored in each half, propelling the club into the quarter-finals of the Champions League for a fifth successive season. An own goal by Wes Brown in the 82nd minute ensured a nervous finish but United were not breached again by Marseille and secured their passage.The only downside for manager Sir Alex Ferguson was that both John O'Shea and his replacement Rafael went off with suspected hamstring injuries.United, with Hernandez selected ahead of Dimitar Berbatov, got off to a flying start with an opening goal from the Mexican in the fifth minute.

A minute earlier, however, they had shown their intentions when Wayne Rooney played the ball out to Ryan Giggs but his cross was blocked by Souleymane Diawara.United took the lead with a sweeping move, Giggs finding Rooney from the left flank with a short pass. The striker played the ball to the far post with Hernandez tapping it in.It was just what Ferguson was looking for as it put his side one goal ahead on aggregate.However Marseille, who came into the match on the back of five wins in six league games, responded in the ninth minute.Andre-Pierre Gignac found himself in the clear, only to hook the ball high and wide from a good position. United had the momentum, though, with Giggs finding plenty of space on the left. The Welsh veteran delivered a cross into the box in the 19th minute but goalkeeper Steve Mandanda made the interception.Hernandez was then booked two minutes later for a challenge on former Old Trafford favourite Gabriel Heinze before testing Mandanda in the 23rd minute with a header after being released by Rooney.United maintained the momentum and O'Shea picked out Nani but he dragged his effort wide of the post. They poured forward again in the 35th minute following a break by O'Shea.

However he sent his cross behind Hernandez before limping off.Marseille should have equalised when Diawara got on the end of a cross from Taye Taiwo but from six yards out and unmarked he somehow contrived to head wide.It was a scare for United and showed just how finely balanced this tie was despite Hernandez's early goal.Hernandez then had a claim for a penalty waved away after he went to ground under pressure from Taiwo before Loic Remy went close for Marseille.United were looking to build on their lead at the start of the second half and Rooney slipped the ball through to Hernandez in the 54th minute but he had strayed offside.Rooney was beginning to see more of the ball and tried to release Hernandez three minutes later when it had seemed he would go for goal. It proved to be the wrong option as his pass was cut out.

Back came Marseille and Remy skipped to the byline but failed to pick out anyone with his cross. Ferguson made a switch in the 61st minute, bringing on Antonio Valencia for Nani who had failed to make an impact after a quick recovery from a gashed leg.Valencia had only returned to action in the victory against Arsenal on Saturday after being out since September with a broken ankle.United were finding it hard to carve out any openings after a bright start and Marseille were coming more into the game as it entered a crucial phase.

The home side made another enforced change with Rafael also appearing to suffer a hamstring injury. He was replaced by Fabio.Hernandez extended United's lead in the 76th minute with another clinical finish for his fifth goal in five games, taking his tally to 16 for the season.Giggs started the move by releasing Valencia and he in turn whipped the ball across to Hernandez, who made no mistake. But Marseille responded and Brown headed into his own net in the 82nd minute under fierce pressure from Heinze. That set up a nerve-shredding final few minutes but United held firm to reach the last eight.

Nani Shoots Down Exit Talk

Manchester United winger Nani has denied that he is considering leaving the club in order to continue his career in Italy.The Guardian reported on Tuesday morning that Nani has spoken to his family and agent Jorge Mendes to explore the possibility of joining a Serie A club, potentially as early as this summer. The loss of Nani would be a substantial blow to United given he has enjoyed a superb season in the Premier League, scoring nine goals and claiming 13 assists for the league leaders.

However, Nani took to Twitter on Tuesday afternoon to inform his 100,000+ followers that he is not hoping to leave Old Trafford. "I've seen some false reports on the press," Nani wrote. "I want you to know that you will hear the truth from me. Love MU." Nani joined United from Sporting Lisbon in 2007 and signed a new four-year contract last season. He has been declared fit to face Marseille in the second leg of the Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday night after recovering from a gashed leg sustained following a tackle from Liverpool's Jamie Carragher.

The Long, Long Road To Wembley

We now know the four teams that will contest the FA Cup semi-finals. Manchester United, Manchester City, Stoke City and Bolton Wanderers will all take the long road to Wembley. And, make no mistake, it is a long road. Between them the four sets of fans will cover around 1,500 miles in schlepping their way to North-West London. Train company bosses will already be rubbing their hands and awarding themselves big bonuses at the prospect of over 100,000 people potentially using their services over the weekend of April 16/17. The Metropolitan Police, however, will be pulling their hair out at the thought of handling Sunday's semi on the same day as the London Marathon. The reason for the mass transit down to the capital is, of course, that the FA has all FA Cup semi-finals staged at the national stadium as well as the final in order to help pay off the huge overspend in constructing it as soon as possible. So, rather than the red and blue of Mancunia making the short trip to, say, Elland Road, or Trotters and Potters fans making the far less taxing journey to Villa Park, there could be thousands of fans stranded at Milton Keynes waiting for a replacement bus service this weekend. If the loss of the neutral venue has eroded yet more of 'The Magic Of The Cup' (official broadcasters at the time), at least it was evident in the weekend's quarter-final match-ups.

No, Early Doors is not talking about United's win over Arsenal, enabled by the revolutionary deployment of seven defenders in the starting line-up. Nor is it referring to Stoke's typically muscular performance which did for West Ham. And there is certainly no praise for the excruciatingly dull 1-0 win over Reading which saw City through to their first FA Cup semi since 1981. This weekend Bolton were the only show in town following theit thrilling 3-2 win over League Cup holders Birmingham City courtesy of Lee Chung-yong's late header after Kevin Phillips, 50, looked to have forced a replay with his instinctive finish which gave his ageing legs cramp. It is a mark of how far Bolton have come under Owen Coyle that their semi-final against Stoke promises to be more than the arduous test of patience it would have been seen as otherwise. Stoke are well within their rights to play how they want - their continued Premier League status is all the justification Tony Pulis needs - but the transformation of Bolton under Coyle shows that attractive football and relative success are not mutually exclusive for the more unfashionable clubs in the top flight. Coyle's cup pedigree has led him to semi-finals before - in the League Cup with Burnley and both Scottish cup competitions with St Johnstone - but his only final appearance as a manager to date was the Championship play-off decider which took Burnley up to the Premier League.

Now he is in charge of a top-tier side that will be going into a semi-final as slight favourites - unfamiliar but well-earned territory for a boss whose career continues on its upward trajectory. Sam Allardyce must have felt he was in with a shout of winning Manager of the Year after guiding Bolton to the League Cup final and an eighth-place finish in 2004, only for Arsenal's title-winning Invincibles to somewhat steal his thunder. This season's eventual champions will come nowhere near that standard, so an FA Cup final appearance and a European spot would have Coyle high in the reckoning. And who could begrudge Coyle's main man on the pitch, Kevin Davies, a shot at Wembley glory too? After coming so close to Wembley while with Chesterfield, and then not making the squad for Southampton's final against Arsenal in 2003, a second trip to Wembley would cap off a great season which has already seen him make a belated England debut. In fact, this season's semi-final line-up - seasoned campaigners Man United aside - is riddled with special significance for all concerned. Stoke are enjoying their best form for 40 years, since their early 1970s vintage claimed the League Cup and reached two FA Cup semis. Reaching the final would be a great piece of vindication for ever-embattled manager Tony Pulis.

With the much-prized Champions League qualification still far from assured, a long-craved piece of silverware would see man City lay down a marker in their new era and perhaps even stop Roberto Mancini's greying quite so rapidly. City are yet to beat United in the league or knock them out of a cup since Sheikh Mansour took over and the one-off nature of a Wembley semi-final will surely spur them into an attacking performance against their local rivals, something they have stubbornly resisted in their previous two meetings this season. And there would be a genuinely emotional edge to proceedings if City and Bolton were to meet in the final, with both clubs spurred on to win in tribute to respective Cup heroes Neil Young and Nat Lofthouse, who both died earlier this year. All in all, the long, long road to Wembley will be worth taking.

Van Der Sar Hails Important Win

Veteran goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar believes Manchester United's 2-0 victory in the FA Cup quarter-final against Arsenal can prove vital in their quest for success this season.''I think we played quite well against Arsenal,'' he told ITV. ''We got our goals, luckily I pulled off a couple of saves and we defended well.''It was important of course because we lost to Chelsea and Liverpool so the gap in the league is now non-existent. We needed to win tonight for another chance of silverware.''

The 40-year-old was a key catalyst in United's success, producing a performance that belied his age and rightfully earned him the man of the match of the match award. Van der Sar has already announced his intention to retire at the end of the season and when questioned whether he is tempted to change his mind, he insisted: ''No, definitely not.''