HEAVEN 17 ... 2-goal Man Utd hero Dimitar Berbatov celebrates with Nan
DIMITAR BERBATOV put United back on top by proving there is life without Wayne Rooney.
Jlloyd Samuel's bizarre own-goal opener broke Bolton's resistance early on.
Then lone striker Dimitar Berbatov's double and substitute Darron Gibson's simple late finish put United a point clear of Chelsea and four above third-placed Arsenal.
Darren Fletcher is tackled by Jack Wilshere
Berbatov's poaching rewarded boss Alex Ferguson's gamble to leave 30-goal Rooney completely out of the squad.
But Ryan Giggs was just as influential.
The fit-again veteran swept the 11th minute cross from which Samuel planted a firm 15-yarder into the bottom corner past his own keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Then, after United weathered Bolton's best spell, Giggs slipped a clever pass for Darren Fletcher, whose fierce shot parried poorly by Jaaskelainen for Berbatov to tuck home on 69 minutes.
Nani's solo run teed up Berbatov's second goal nine minutes later.
And Gibson slotted home in the 82nd minute when beleaguered Bolton once again saw their defence opened up with ease.
Boss Alex Ferguson admitted he would have fielded both Rooney (bruised foot) and Rio Ferdinand (groin injury) had United's need been more dire.
And Bolton were certainly unlucky to lose so heavily.
Aside from United's freak goal, Bolton had the best chances of a first half that ended on a pretty sour note.
Jack Wilshere's superb through-ball to Johan Elmander allowed the Swede to bring an excellent low save out of Edwin van der Sar.
Within a minute of Samuel's mishap, the veteran Dutchman did even better to tip Fabrice Muamba's goalbound effort over after the excellent Wilshere had created the opportunity.
Shortly afterwards, referee Martin Atkinson ruled Van der Sar was time-wasting as he went to collect a ball at a Bolton corner, then waved play on with the Dutchman still off the field.
The half-time whistle that eventually followed brought Atkinson a confrontation with Ferguson, who had been appalled by an earlier Sam Ricketts tackle on Patrice Evra that went unpunished.
Elsewhere on the pitch, Nani and Ricketts had to be separated.
Tempers calmed during the interval, but there was always an edge to the contest.
That only brings out the best in United centre-back Nemanja Vidic, more towering than ever in Ferdinand's absence.
Vidic won virtually every aerial challenge as Bolton peppered the visitors' penalty area.
But, thanks to their teak-tough Serb, United held firm until play quickly switched to the other end and Jaaskelainen was unable to hold Fletcher's firm drive, allowing Berbatov to tap home.
Having already beaten United once this season, when he was still in charge at Burnley, Bolton chief Coyle must have known there was no chance of a repeat.
And this time United were not finished, Berbatov and Gibson adding flattering gloss to their victory margin.
Antonio Valencia gets stuck in
Jlloyd Samuel scores an own-goal to break the deadlock
Berbatov slots home the third
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