Bolton 0 Man United 5: Rooney bags another hat-trick in Reebok romp

By JOE BERNSTEIN

Last updated at 10:54 PM on 10th September 2011

Bolton tried to rough up the champions in traditional fashion and one of their uglier challenges - by Kevin Davies - left young Tom Cleverley with a suspected broken foot, which could keep him out for three months.

Wayne Rooney left the Reebok Stadium clutching another match ball as Manchester United showed that the best way to deal with bullies is to stand up to them.

But the intimidating approach, while incensing United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, failed to upset his young players.

All together now: Man United continued their excellent form

MATCH FACTS

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Boyata, Cahill, Knight, Robinson, Eagles (Pratley 61 mins), Reo-Coker, Mark Davies, Petrov, Kevin Davies (Ngog 65 mins), Klasnic (Tuncay 75 mins).

Subs not used: Bogdan, Muamba, Kakuta, Wheater.

Yellow cards: M Davies, K Davies.

Man Utd: De Gea, Jones, Ferdinand, Evans (Smalling 61 mins), Evra, Nani, Cleverley (Carrick 24 mins), Anderson, Young (Giggs 61 mins), Hernandez, Rooney.

Subs not used: Lindegaard, Berbatov, Park, Fabio.

Scorers: Hernandez 5, 58, Rooney 20, 25, 68.

Referee: Andre Marriner.

Attendance: 25,944.

By the time they had torn Bolton apart with a free-flowing masterclass, Owen Coyle's men were left kicking at shadows, thanks to a Rooney hat-trick - to follow the one he scored in the 8-2 demolition of Arsenal a fortnight ago - and two goals from Javier Hernandez.

United have scored 18 in their opening four games of the season, a Premier League record and the best by any club in the top flight since Wolves in 1947.

Rooney has eight on his own, more than any other club bar Manchester City. He has now scored seven hat-tricks for United, the same as Sir Bobby Charlton.

And he is only the fourth striker - following Les Ferdinand, Ian Wright and Didier Drogba - to score back-to-back hat-tricks in the Premier League era.

Best of all, he is reunited with Hernandez, whose start to the season had been delayed by concussion suffered on tour in the US.

Ferguson said: 'Their partnership was excellent, they were a constant threat and caused our opponents big problems.'

Opener: Wayne Rooney wheels away after scoring his first

Hernandez was just as glowing in his tribute to Rooney.

'Anyone can play with Wayne, he is world-class, he can do anything,' said the Mexican.

Arguably, though, even the two strikers were overshadowed by a peerless display from Phil Jones, usually a centre-half but yesterday shining as a marauding right-back, who set up Rooney's first two goals.

Pea-sy does it: Javier 'Little Pea' Hernandez slides in to score the second

It was the perfect riposte from United, who had to overcome questionable Bolton tactics.

Jones was winded by Paul Robinson in the opening minutes and skipper Davies put Cleverley out of action with a bad challenge from behind, then put his boot down on Patrice Evra's foot.

By that stage, Ferguson was arguing with the fourth official about the lack of protection, but his players ultimately shut Bolton up by outplaying them.

Jav some of that: Hernandez celebrates his first goal

Rooney said: 'We always know Bolton is a difficult place to come. We got an early goal and kicked on. It could have been more. It was my first start with Chicharito and it's great that we both scored.'

The pre-match talk had been of how United's 20-year-old goalkeeper, David de Gea, would cope with an aerial onslaught.

But the real issue was how Bolton were repeatedly opened up by United, with England's goalscoring defender Gary Cahill and veteran goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen as powerless as anyone.

Keeping up with the Jones's: Phil crosses for Rooney's second

United had seen neighbours City go top a couple of hours earlier with a 3-0 win over Wigan, meaning they had to win by three to stay ahead of Roberto Mancini's men.

Five minutes in, the fleet-footed Nani put in a low cross and while Jaaskelainen and Cahill hesitated, Hernandez hooked it in.

All smiles: Rooney and Nani show their delight after the third goal

Bolton's response saw shots by Ivan Klasnic and Mark Davies blocked by Jonny Evans and Rooney. De Gea then palmed away a shot by Klasnic.

But the harder Bolton tackled, the better United became. Mark Davies joined namesake Kevin in the book for flattening Nani, and with alarming gaps developing down Bolton's left, Jones surged forward and crossed for Rooney to score from a few yards.

Top of the league: United leap-frogged rivals Man City

Jones then instigated United's third, cutting in and releasing a shot which hit Jaaskelainen's boot and fell kindly for Rooney to tap in the rebound.

United scored a fourth on the hour mark. Nani could have won a penalty as he was felled in the area but as the ball fell loose to Michael Carrick, his cross-shot was turned in from eight yards by Hernandez.

Double trouble: Hernandez hails his second strike

Former Liverpool striker David Ngog came on for his Bolton debut after 65 minutes but Rooney soon completed his hat-trick, taking a square pass from Nani and burying it first-time low past Jaaskelainen from 18 yards.

Bolton boss Owen Coyle said: 'There was never five goals between the teams. I thought the margin was hard. But United are ruthless.' He can say that again.

Hat-trick: Rooney celebrates his second trio in two Premier league games