Manchester United head into their next fixture away at the DW Stadium 8 points clear of title rivals Manchester City. With only 6 games remaining, fans of our club can already sniff a record 20th league title; one that will taste that much sweeter if Manchester United can hold out and pip their City rivals.
The reality of it is that with only the 6 games remaining it will take a minor miracle to fail to win it; perhaps a collapse of Liverpudlian proportions. The permutations suggest that to fail to win the league title Manchester United have to fail to win in at least 3 games, one of which will have to be at the Etihad Stadium. On recent form this does not seem a particularly likely event considering Manchester United are currently on a run of 8 league wins, a feat that hasn’t been reached by any team in the Premier League since March 2009 when Manchester United’s run of 11 wins were abruptly stopped by a painful 4-1 defeat at home against Liverpool.
Manchester United
From the players on the short term injury list, only Anderson and Michael Owen are expected to miss the trip to Wigan. Nani, who has been training for over a week now, is expected to return and feature for Manchester United. Sir Alex Ferguson has hinted that there will be a few changes to the starting line up for this game since this is 1 of 3 games in 8 days.
Likely XI: De Gea, Jones, Evans, Ferdinand, Evra, Carrick, Cleverley, Valencia, Giggs, Rooney, Hernandez.
As I have previously mentioned, Manchester United go to the DW Stadium having won their last 8 Premier League games. This has propelled the club to their highest ever Premier League points total after 32 games. Our current points total of 79 is only 1 shy of the amount it took to be crowned champions of England last season.
Wigan Athletic
The only doubt for Wigan Athletic for Wednesday’s clash is Hugo Rodallega. Every other player is expected to be available for Wigan Athletic’s disposal.
Likely XI: Al Habsi, Boyce, Alcaraz, Caldwell, Figueroa, Maloney,McCarthy, McArthur, Beausejour, Moses, Di Santo.
Wigan Athletic’s recent form has been quite decent of late. Over the last 6 games they have scored 8 points and barring 2 offside goals by Chelsea on Saturday they could have scored another 3. In fact, had Wigan Athletic not been begrudged of victory vs Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, it would’ve been their 3rd straight victory. Fighting for survival, the fierce Wiganers will not be a pushover.
Head to head
Wigan Athletic is probably Manchester United’s most successful fixture. The two clubs have faced each other 14 times in history, the first meeting being in the 2005/06 season. Manchester United have won all 14 meetings with Wigan Athletic. Of the 14 meetings, Manchester United have won 7 of them with a margin of 4 or more goals.
4 replies on “Match Preview: Wigan Athletic v Manchester United”
Decent blog this to be fair.just disagree with your likely xi tomorrow night. Rafael who has been superb the last few games should start again @) instead of phil jones. Him and Valencia have developed quite a nice partnership and understand and work y well together down the right hand side. I’d love Fergie to stick with Rafa and play him at) for the next 6 games of the season. He’s really stepped up since he’s come back and has been doing really well. Come on United! 3 points please! Let’s av it!
I think Rafa should play although I noticed he slid and limped thereafter. Rio may be the change but I expect him to start may be not complete the game so that he remains fresh.
please give a chance for perucci he is fantastic
[Prediction] Wigan Athletic 0-4 Manchester United – Rooney to score first