Match Preview:Manchester United v/s Wigan Athletic
Manchester United FC v/s Wigan Athletic FC
Old Trafford
Kick Off : 15:00 BST, 19:30 IST(Saturday, 15th Sep 2012)
Referee – Michael Oliver
The Barclays Premier League is back in action after a 2-week hiatus, thanks to the international friendlies and the World Cup qualifiers, with the Latics travelling to the Theatre of Dreams to face the Red Devils. Though it looks like a cakewalk for United on paper, it may not happen when the game starts, as Wigan will be looking to repeat their last season upset, when Shaun Maloney’s second-half 20-yard finish cut down United’s then lead of eight points to five and started the beginning of the end of United’s title hopes.That victory is the only instance in history when Wigan have managed to take points off United. This time around,Sir Alex Ferguson will be looking to avoid that at any cost.
Team Preview:
Manchester United :
Robin van Persie and Shinji Kagawa picked up minor injuries in the international matches and Sir Alex may decide to rest them, keeping in mind the Champions League clash against Galatasaray four days later and a showdown with arch-rivals Liverpool next weekend.If that happens, Welbeck should play and Chicharito could get his first start of the season. Jones (knee), Rooney (thigh), Smalling (toe) and Young are all out.
A welcome news for the United fans is the return of Darren Fletcher. Fletcher last played for United in November 2011 when he decided to take “an extended break from football”. “Darren Fletcher is in the squad,” said manager Sir Alex Ferguson. “At this moment in time everything looks fine.” Though, he is expected to not play any part in the game.
This match could also see three players completing their individual milestones. Rio Ferdinand looks set to make his 400th United appearance. If Giggs plays, he would become the first man to appear in 600 Premier League games, and Paul Scholes would become the third man, after Giggs and Sir Charlton, to appear in his 700th United game if he puts on the shirt tonight.
Manchester United (Possible, 4-2-3-1): De Gea, Rafael, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra; Carrick, Giggs; Valencia, Anderson, Welbeck; Chicharito.
Wigan Athletic:
Wigan are currently ninth in the standings, with four points in three matches, having drawn their last game against Stoke City at home, 2-2. Roberto Martinez will be looking to capitalize on this start, and look to cement their place in the top flight.He will surely draw inspiration from last year’s reverse fixture, when Wigan stunned United and managed to avoid relegation. “You need to have a visual picture. Any big achievement starts with a dream,” Martinez said. ” Last year’s performance at the DW Stadium was everything we wanted in our performance. We were in a very difficult position, we needed the points, and in a way we forgot who we were playing against. That’s something we need to bring into this season’s encounter at Old Trafford.”
The manager will have almost a full squad to choose his starting XI from. Only Jean Beausejour and Antolin Alcaraz are out with injuries, which will force Martinez to change his back-four. On-loan Arsenal striker Ryo Miyaichi could get his first start after improving his fitness. James McArthur is back to full fitness and should feature in the game.
Wigan Athletic(Possible, 3-4-1-2): Al Habsi; Ramis, Caldwell, Figueroa; Boyce, McArthur, McCarthy, Miyaichi, Maloney; Di Santo, Kone.
Prediction:
Sir Alex has said that his team needs to stop gifting soft goals to their opponents. “Do we have to score three in every game to win? I don’t want to go down that road, ” said Ferguson. He will definitely be looking to secure a win and a clean sheet. The Red Devils look clear favourites to win this one. Wigan will have to play some miraculous football to take something away from this game.
Manchester United 3-0 Wigan Athletic