As the shudder rumbled down his spine on hearing the full extent of Michael Owen's broken metatarsal, Sven-Goran Eriksson could be thankful for one thing. At least it was not Wayne Rooney.

Given the option, Eriksson would probably wrap Rooney in cotton wool with a label 'Not to be touched until the summer'.

The England coach has already suffered the consequences of one Rooney injury when the young striker limped out of Euro 2004 with exactly the same problem as Owen picked up at White Hart Lane and he has no wish to experience a repeat.

Six months away from the tournament, Rooney already appears the key if England are to have a realistic chance of winning the World Cup.

The problem for Eriksson is that Sir Alex Ferguson needs him just as badly. Perhaps not for Premiership-winning purposes, for that fanciful notion is disappearing with each monotonous Chelsea victory, but as clear evidence for the Scot's belief a new generation of serial trophy collectors is emerging at Old Trafford.

"Wayne Rooney is top drawer," said Sam Allardyce after his Bolton side had become the latest to wither in the face of the youngster's wondrous talent.

"There is not a better player in this country at the moment.

"It is not just his talent. It is his strength and determination. He is only a young man but he has such physical and mental hunger. And then there is his ability - the pass for the third goal with the outside of his right foot was absolute perfection."

The pass Allardyce was referring to, a delicate chip to a virtual 90-degree angle while running at three-quarter pace surrounded by Bolton defenders inside the penalty area, was simply staggering.

That it came after Rooney had won three separate 50-50 tackles in midfield, including one which left him on his knees, and ended with Cristiano Ronaldo prodding into the net, just made it more memorable.

"I applauded him off the pitch when he was substituted because he was absolutely outstanding," admitted United skipper Gary Neville.

"He is only 20 and he is not that tall but he just bullies defenders with this incredible strength and appears to be able to give it his all from the first minute to the 90th in every game.

"He must be a nightmare to play against. Physically you can't handle him - skill-wise you can't handle him. He can play centre-forward, drop back, play wide. He can pass and shoot. Other than stopping the supply, it is difficult to think of a way to stop him."

It was certainly a task beyond a Bolton side who were supposed to be fresh after the controversial postponement of their midweek encounter with Middlesbrough but were eventually overrun by superior opponents at the top of their game.

Chelsea may be the undisputed kings of efficiency but after all the trauma of a difficult 2005, United are finally getting their old swagger back.

Not even the fans who have spent so long quibbling about ownership, tactics, team selection and Ferguson's general management can complain at 18 goals in six games - and 11 in three on home soil.

There are still obvious flaws to address, in particular at the back where the imminent £7million arrival of Serbia & Montenegro international Nemanja Vidic should eliminate the kind of lapses which allowed Gary Speed to arrive unmarked at the far post to nod Bolton level.

But United are now playing with pace and poise again. Louis Saha is fit, scoring - his first in the Premiership since January - and bringing the extra physical dimension in attack Ferguson's team has lacked so badly.

And, after a difficult time off the pitch, Cristiano Ronaldo is starting to get the message that more direct play and fewer tricks will bring greater reward.

On any other day, two goals and two shots which cannoned back off the post would have seen Ronaldo carry off man-of-the-match honours with something to spare.

Yet on this occasion he still finished a clear second to Rooney, whose importance to club and country simply cannot be underestimated.

"Wayne is a massive player for us because he makes things happen," said Saha. "Even though you are on the same pitch, it is a joy to watch him.

"He is a great player. But then, it doesn't need me to say that. Everyone in the world knows it."