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Played
September 15, 2012 3:00 PM BST
Old Trafford — Manchester
Referee:‬ M. Oliver‎
Attendance:‬ 75142‎
 
51′ Paul Scholes
 
63′ Chicharito
 
66′ Alexander Büttner
 
82′ Nick Powell
 

Manchester United - Wigan Preview: Red Devils looking to avenge the DW defeat which helped cost them the title

The Latics defeated Sir Alex Ferguson's side for the first time in their history last season during their disastrous run-in but have never earned even a point at Old Trafford

By Ewan Roberts

More On :  Manchester United, Wigan Athletic, Manchester United vs Wigan Athletic
EPL: Shaun Maloney - Michael Carrick, Wigan Athletic v Manchester United
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  PROBABLE LINEUPS

MANCHESTER UNITED

De Gea
Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra
Valencia, Carrick, Cleverley, Nani
Hernandez, Welbeck
WIGAN

Al-Habsi
Alcaraz, Caldwell, Ramis
Boyce, McCarthy, McArthur, Figueroa
Kone, Di Santo, Maloney

Wayne Rooney (leg) is still several weeks away from returning to first-team action after sustaining a nasty gash against Fulham whilst defenders Phil Jones (knee) and Chris Smalling (metatarsal) remain sidelined, so no changes to the back four are anticipated.

Robin van Persie (thigh) and Shinji Kagawa (back) are further doubts after picking up injuries on international duty and may not be risked ahead of United's Champions League clash with Galatasaray. The Dutchman was substituted at half-time in Holland’s World Cup qualifier against Hungary as a “precautionary measure”.

Japanese playmaker Kagawa has been sent for a scan on a persistent back problem which forced him to miss his country’s midweek friendly. Darren Fletcher (bowel) and Ashley Young (knee) are still unavailable for selection.

Roberto Martinez has almost a full quota of players to choose from. Antolin Alcaraz has returned from suspension and will likely replace Maynor Figueroa in Wigan’s back three, assuming he can shake off a niggling groin/pelvis injury.

The Honduran defender is expected to move forwards to left wing-back in place of Jean Beausejour after the Chilean tore his hamstring in Wigan’s last outing against Stoke. James McArthur is now back to full fitness.


  DID YOU KNOW?
  • Manchester United have yet to keep a clean sheet this season, coming from behind twice and conceding five goals in three games.
  • Robin van Persie (pictured right) scored the 100th league goal of his career in his last match against Southampton, taking his tally this season to four league goals and propelling him to joint leading scorer. He has scored 66.6% of Man Utd’s goals.
  • The Red Devils have had more shots on goal (54) than any other team, at a rate of 18 shots per game.
  • Before losing 1-0 against Wigan last season, Manchester United had a 100% win record against the Latics.
  • Wigan have won 8 of their last 12 games and scored in 13 of their last 14, with only Chelsea managing to shut out the Wigan attack.
  • Before beating Man Utd 1-0 at the DW Stadium last season, Wigan had never even managed to pick up a single point against the the Red Devils, losing all 13 previous encounters.
  • Wigan have scored just once at Old Trafford in seven league appearances, never winning or drawing, and conceded 24 goals.
  • The Latics have had three players (Antolin Alcaraz, Hugo Rodallega, Conor Sammon) sent off in their last two visits to Old Trafford.

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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
  • Manchester United 3-0 Wigan Athletic
    20.53 %
  • Manchester United 3-1 Wigan Athletic
    12.94 %
  • Manchester United 2-0 Wigan Athletic
    10.79 %
Head to Head
Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 1 Jan 2013 Wigan Athletic 0 - Manchester United 4
  • Player Ratings
  • Match Report
  • Play by Play
  • Preview
Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 15 Sep 2012 Manchester United 4 - Wigan Athletic 0
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Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 11 Apr 2012 Wigan Athletic 1 - Manchester United 0
  • Player Ratings
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Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 26 Dec 2011 Manchester United 5 - Wigan Athletic 0
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Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 26 Feb 2011 Wigan Athletic 0 - Manchester United 4
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Last Five Matches
Manchester United
19 May 2013West Bromwich Albion 5 - Manchester United 5EPL
12 May 2013Manchester United 2 - Swansea City 1EPL
5 May 2013Manchester United 0 - Chelsea FC 1EPL
28 Apr 2013Arsenal FC 1 - Manchester United 1EPL
22 Apr 2013Manchester United 3 - Aston Villa 0EPL
Wigan Athletic
19 May 2013Wigan Athletic 2 - Aston Villa 2EPL
14 May 2013Arsenal FC 4 - Wigan Athletic 1EPL
11 May 2013Manchester City 0 - Wigan Athletic 1FA
7 May 2013Wigan Athletic 2 - Swansea City 3EPL
4 May 2013West Bromwich Albion 2 - Wigan Athletic 3EPL
Odds
Returns: Manchester United £12.86 PaddyPower Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Returns: Draw £460.00 WilliamHill Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Returns: Wigan £460.00 WilliamHill Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Team News
Available Squads
13Anders LindegaardGoalkeeper
2RafaelDefender
5Rio FerdinandDefender
15Nemanja VidicDefender
28Alexander BüttnerDefender
11Ryan GiggsMidfielder
16Michael CarrickMidfielder
17NaniMidfielder
22Paul ScholesMidfielder
14ChicharitoStriker
19Danny WelbeckStriker
1David de GeaGoalkeeper
6Jonny EvansDefender
7Antonio ValenciaMidfielder
23Tom CleverleyMidfielder
25Nick PowellMidfielder
20Robin van PersieStriker
26Shinji KagawaMidfielder
26Ali Al HabsiGoalkeeper
5Gary CaldwellDefender
17Emmerson BoyceDefender
21Iván RamisDefender
31Maynor FigueroaDefender
4James McCarthyMidfielder
16James McArthurMidfielder
22Jean BeausejourMidfielder
2Arouna KoneStriker
9Franco Di SantoStriker
10Shaun MaloneyStriker
12Mike PollittGoalkeeper
6David JonesMidfielder
7Albert CrusatMidfielder
8Ben WatsonMidfielder
14Jordi GómezMidfielder
-Mauro BoselliStriker
31Ryo MiyaichiStriker
Players to Watch
Danny Welbeck
Danny Welbeck
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 19
Games Goals YC RC
27 1 1 0
Welbeck has yet to score this season, and conspired to miss a number of chances for England after coming off the bench against the Ukraine in mid-week before winning the penalty which  earned the Three Lions a much-needed point. With established frontmen Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie injured/doubtful for the match, the onus could be on Welbeck to score for a United side expected to win and likely to enjoy the majority of possession.
Arouna Kone
Arouna Kone
Position: Striker
Squad Number: 2
Games Goals YC RC
34 11 0 0
Replacing Victor Moses was never going to be easy, but Arouna Kone is a worthy alternative to the new Chelsea man, marrying together that same blend of pace and directness that Moses possessed whilst adding greater goal threat and precision in the final third. The Ivory Coast striker scored against Southampton and provided the assist for Franco Di Santo’s goal against Stoke. If Wigan hope to get anything out of the game, Kone will need to be firing on all cylinders.
Prediction
Having never picked up even a single point at Old Trafford and only managing to score once in seven league meetings, the odds are firmly stacked against Wigan. However, a leaky Man Utd defence and a plethora of injuries give an in-form Latics team an outside chance. The Red Devils’ depth in attack should be sufficient, and they can rely on their widemen – Nani and Valencia – to provide creativity and goal threat.
Editor's Prediction
Manchester United 2
Wigan 1
Results
ALL MATCHES >>
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Robin van Persie Robin van Persie
Striker
Manchester United 		26 3
Luis Suárez Luis Suárez
Striker
Liverpool 		23 0
Gareth Bale Gareth Bale
Midfielder
Tottenham 		21 0
C. Benteke C. Benteke
Striker
Aston Villa 		19 3
Michu Michu
Midfielder
Swansea City 		19 0

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