Ferguson on guard against Bolton's Davies after week of crunching tackles

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Fortunately for , Rodrigo Possebon merely suffered a puncture wound in his shin during the Carling Cup win over Middlesbrough.

But the red card tackle by Emanuel Pogatetz will prompt boss Ferguson to warn his team of the physical threat carried by striker Davies at Old Trafford today.

Fergie sees red after sending off: Rodrigo Possebon escaped serious injury but Sir Alex Ferguson is set for a hard-tackling battle with Bolton

manager Gary Megson feels Davies' reputation is unfair, but Ferguson disagrees, saying: 'It's hard to defend Davies when you see tackles like the one he committed last Saturday against Arsenal's Gael Clichy.

'People may say that he got the ball. Not with his left leg he didn't.'

Television replays suggested the challenge was fair but Davies, 31, has been booked in games against United for the last three seasons. He has only been sent off once in five seasons at the Reebok but has been booked 52 times.

Ferguson urged his players to gain the victory he feels will kick-start their season. 'I'll be fielding a very strong team and I can feel that we're getting better,' said the United manager.

'I'm sure that by the time we get in to October, then we will be fine.'