Ferguson watched from the stands as part of a five-match touchline ban

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson praised the "character" of his side following their 1-0 win over Bolton Wanderers.

Dimitar Berbatov's 88th-minute goal, along with Arsenal's 2-2 draw at West Brom, took United's lead at the top of the Premier League to five points.

"That is what the character of this club is all about," said Ferguson.

"No other club in the country has got that. We are fantastic at getting something out of a dead situation."

The win at Old Trafford came after Ferguson's side suffered back-to-back league defeats against Chelsea and Liverpool, as well as progressing in the FA Cup and Champions League against Arsenal and Marseilles respectively.

"We have had five massive games in the last couple of weeks," added the Scot, who watched from the stands at Old Trafford as he began a five-match touchline ban.

"It has been a hard programme and the lads deserve a lot of praise for that.

"This was not a 100% top performance from us but we never gave in."

Berbatov's winner came after United defender Jonny Evans was shown a straight red card for a tackle on Bolton's Stuart Holden.

The United States international had to be stretchered off with a gash in his knee.

"The referee has seen the player had a bad injury," said Ferguson.

"Both players went for the same ball, with their feet raised, and Jonny caught the lad.

"Once you raise your feet you are putting yourself in a dangerous area. It was unfortunate but we cannot complain."

Bolton boss Owen Coyle confirmed that Holden was taken to hospital for treatment on the injury.

"We hope it is nothing worse than that and there is no break or ligament damage but we will only know when we get the results back from the hospital," said the former Burnley manager.

"I've not seen the tackle again but it looked like two players committed to get the ball."

Evans will now be suspended for three games, putting further pressure on a United defence that is already without injured quartet Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Rafael Da Silva and John O'Shea.

In addition, Wes Brown had to be substituted at half-time in the win over Wanderers because of a leg injury - but Ferguson hopes his injury problems will ease over the international break.

"We have two weeks now to try and patch up the injuries," said Ferguson.

"That is the biggest break we have but we should have Nemanja Vidic back for the West Ham game."

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