BO Hansen tempted fate today when he suggested Manchester United's "dodgy" defence was not up to scratch.

The dashing Dane has seen chinks in the Reds' rearguard that offers Wanderers a glimmer of hope in the Old Trafford derby.

"Comparing this team to the team of three or four years ago ... they are probably better going forward, " he said ominously, "but it's nice to see weaknesses in their defence.

"They are not as good as last season or the season before at the back and hopefully we can capitalise on that tomorrow."

The two Fabien Barthez howlers in Wednesday night's Champions League defeat by Deportivo La Coruna has added to the clamour of criticism of the Champions' rearguard and given hope to their rivals in the Championship chase that they may not be the invincible force they have been in recent years.

Foolish

Hansen, who rates fellow Dane Peter Schmeichel as the best keeper in the world, has drawn as much encouragement as anyone from the three goals his French successor conceded against the Spanish Champions.

Nevertheless, he is neither brave enough nor foolish enough to suggest there will be any easy pickings at Old Trafford.

"Of course we know it's going to be difficult," he insists. "but we're going to go for it and see what happens. They are a fantastioc side and we know we are going to have to work hard. We have to believe in ourselves and, even if we go 1-0 down, we've got to keep going. As long as we give 100 per cent nobody can complain."

Hansen, who was pressed into service as emergency keeper during last week's home defeat by Newcastle, has been struggling with a groin injury this week and was on a list of "doubtfuls" when Sam Allardyce drew up his selection plans today.

But he is not only hoping to be fit but also banking on Wanderers making the most of any chances that may come their way.

"If we want to stay in the Premiership we've got to take our chances," he mused. "If we had done that against Newcastle before they scored their first goal, it would have changed the game completely."

Though he is a newcomer to Wanderers-Manchester United derbies, Hansen knows what's in store.

Aware

And he is fully aware of the importance of tomorrow's game from the Bolton fans' perspective.

"We know our fans don't particularly like the Manchester team, of course," he says, with a wry smile. "We know a bit about the rivalry but it is a derby game anyway - so we know it's going to be a great atmosphere with a high tempo and good fun to watch.

"Hopefully we can given them the right result."

BO Hansen tempted fate today when he suggested Manchester United's "dodgy" defence was not up to scratch.

The dashing Dane has seen chinks in the Reds' rearguard that offers Wanderers a glimmer of hope in tomorrow's Old Trafford derby.

"Comparing this team to the team of three or four years ago ... they are probably better going forward," he said ominously, "but it's nice to see weaknesses in their defence.

"They are not as good at the back as last season or the season before and hopefully we can capitalise on that tomorrow."

The two Fabien Barthez howlers in Wednesday night's Champions League defeat by Deportivo La Coruna has added to the clamour of criticism of the Champions' rearguard and given hope to their rivals in the Championship chase that they may not be the invincible force they have been in recent years.

Foolish

Hansen, who rates fellow Dane Peter Schmeichel as the best keeper in the world, has drawn as much encouragement as anyone from the three goals his French successor conceded against the Spanish Champions.

Nevertheless, he is neither brave enough nor foolish enough to suggest there will be any easy pickings at Old Trafford.

"Of course we know it's going to be difficult," he insists. "but we're going to go for it and see what happens. They are a fantastic side and we know we are going to have to work hard. We have to believe in ourselves and, even if we go 1-0 down, we've got to keep going. As long as we give 100 per cent nobody can complain."

Hansen, who was pressed into service as emergency keeper during last week's home defeat by Newcastle, has been struggling with a groin injury this week and was on a list of "doubtfuls" when Sam Allardyce drew up his selection plans today.

He is not only hoping to be fit but also banking on Wanderers making the most of any chances that may come their way.

"If we want to stay in the Premiership we've got to take our chances," he insisted. "If we had done that against Newcastle before they scored their first goal, it would have changed the game completely."

Though he is a newcomer to Wanderers-Manchester United derbies, Hansen knows what to expect.

Aware

And he is fully aware of the importance of tomorrow's game from the Bolton fans' perspective.

"We know our fans don't particularly like the Manchester team, of course," he says, with a wry smile. "We know a bit about the rivalry but it is a derby game anyway - so we know it's going to be a great atmosphere with a high tempo and good fun to watch.

"Hopefully we can given them the right result."