After struggling to beat Derby County - on track to be the Premier League's worst team ever - last week, United host Bolton tomorrow.

The reigning champions, who top the League only on goal difference, will lead by three points if they beat Bolton.

That cushion may prove crucial on Sunday, given that United's two closest title rivals, Arsenal and Chelsea, play each other.

United, on their part, will take on Liverpool at Old Trafford.

Although United lost at Bolton last November, the home team are not expected to lose tomorrow.

But United defender Wes Brown insists that the Red Devils must stop being wasteful in front of goal if they want to retain their Premier League title.

Their 75th-minute goal in the 1-0 victory over bottom-placed Derby last week came only after they had squandered numerous chances.

Indeed, United looked like dropping two points until Cristiano Ronaldo volleyed home a Wayne Rooney cross to clinch the match.

Brown told the club's website: 'We're getting some really good chances and we've got to start putting them away.

'We made it very hard for ourselves against Derby. We could have finished the game in the first 10 or 15 minutes but, luckily, we got the winner in the end.

'If we hadn't won, it would have been very disappointing, so it was a relief that we got the goal.'

After starting on top but failing to convert their early chances, United found themselves on the back-foot as Derby grew in confidence and enterprise.

And United could have fallen behind but for debutant goalkeeper Ben Foster, who denied Kenny Miller with two superb saves in less than a minute.

'Ben's experienced in the Premier League,' said Brown. 'He's a great 'keeper, it was his first game for a long time and he came in and did brilliantly.

'It's always good to be top of the league.

'If we can get another three points against Bolton, it'd be great for us and we know then that if we win every game, we will win the league again.'

Bolton are determined not to hand the win on a plate.

Skipper Kevin Nolan has pleaded with the club's fans to get behind the team at Old Trafford, as they begin a run of nine games to protect their Premier League status.

Bolton were booed off the pitch after a 0-1 away defeat by Wigan the previous week, a fourth straight league defeat.

'We were poor against Wigan, especially in the first half,' Nolan told the club's website.

'In the second half, we put them under pressure but it was just that goal we needed. We were rightly booed off by our fans.

'It's always disappointing to see that and to see the anger in their faces. As club captain, I ask them to please stay with us. We need them in our hour of need.'

Manchester Utd v Bolton
Live, Ch22 & Ch303, Thursday, 3.55am