Wigan Athletic

2.61

• 
  19

  32

  2.00

  Ali Al Habsi

  Al Habsi is having a torrid season between the sticks for Wigan. He saved Patrice Evra's shot for the first goal but parried it into Chicharito's path and looked nervous when having to deal with shots low down.

• 
  5

  24

  2.50

  Gary Caldwell

  The defender of the three to be asked to press the ball, which lead to the Scot becoming out of position and he found it difficult to keep up with play. You always expect him to win headers and battle, but lacked the quality to deal with United's front two.

• 
  4

  20

  2.50

  Emmerson Boyce

  Boyce was the only Wigan player eager to break ranks and attack, which was admirable, but he was caught out of position frequently and had United been more inclined to counter quickly, his gallivanting might have cost the hosts.

• 
  6

  13

  3.00

  Iván Ramis

  Despite his unfortunate slip for the second goal, Ramis had a good game and was Wigan's best performer on a day they simply weren't at the races. Did a good job of keeping van Persie quiet until the Dutchman's superior class shone through.

• 
  10

  18

  3.00

  Maynor Figueroa

  Failed to pick up the floating Chicharito, but many defenders would have struggled with the striker's movement this afternoon. In fairness to the Honduran, he stuck close to Gary Caldwell and United didn't get in behind too often.

• 
  4

  18

  3.00

  James McCarthy

  The midfielder was up for the battle in midfield but couldn't engineer Wigan in an attacking sense and became frustrated early on by a lack of options in front of him.

• 
  6

  18

  3.00

  James McArthur

  Recalled to the side for David Jones with added grit in front of the back three. He was nice and tidy in possession but much like his team-mates, didn't go the extra mile to impose himself on the game.

• 
  2

  24

  2.00

  Jean Beausejour Flop of the Match

  Didn't defend well enough against the marauding Rafael and failed to make an impact in the final third, this was probably Beausejour's worst performance of the season.

• 
  30

  17

  3.50

  Arouna Kone

  Will count himself slightly unlucky to have seen a goal ruled out for offside when it was 2-0, but other than that, the striker put himself about without being given the desired service.

• 
  11

  22

  3.00

  Franco Di Santo

  Always looks to get on the ball and likes playing a bit deeper. Unfortunately for him, there was a lack of energy around him and Di Santo was often found waiting for support.

• 
  4

  26

  2.50

  Shaun Maloney

  Maloney will have been dreaming of being the match winner in this fixture again, but he was easily snuffed out by Michael Carrick. Loitered in the middle third without creating any chances for the strikers.

Substitutions

• 
  7

  13

  2.50

  Ronnie Stam

  Brought on in a slight reshuffle in the second half and got forward from right wing-back. His inclusion made Wigan more solid at the back, too.

• 
  9

  13

  2.00

  Jordi Gómez

  He is an interesting player and it's difficult to see why his quality on the ball has not yielded more games and goals. But he rarely affects the game positively and that was the case today.

• 
  4

  15

  2.00

  Callum McManaman

  Late replacement for Maloney, but had no time to contribute.

Manchester United

3.23

• 
  188

  11

  3.00

  David de Gea

  Didn't have a single shot to save all game, but communicated well with his back four and claimed crosses when they had to be, which will do his confidence no harm.

• 
  221

  12

  3.50

  Rafael

  Careered forward at will, especially in the first half. His final ball was lacking at times, but Rafael is a huge threat, even for the different options he offers on the right. Defended well when called upon.

• 
  196

  12

  3.50

  Patrice Evra

  Evra really enjoys himself when he can bomb forward and knows he has the beating of his opposite number. Doubling up with Ryan Giggs, the left-back might have scored on another day.

• 
  156

  26

  3.00

  Rio Ferdinand

  Moaning about having to be asleep early last night, Ferdinand might as well have stayed in bed - there wasn't an awful lot for him to do. That'll please the centre-half, who looked at ease in possession and won his headers.

• 
  182

  15

  3.50

  Jonny Evans

  Has put the questionable showing against Newcastle well and truly to bed. Wearing luminous boots, Evans was asked to do more ball-playing work than defending during a comfortable afternoon.

• 
  169

  34

  3.50

  Ryan Giggs

  Giggs' performances have picked up drastically over Christmas and they have come when playing out wide. He sent in a wicked cross before the opening goal which was akin to the midfielder in his pomp.

• 
  172

  24

  3.00

  Michael Carrick

  Didn't pull the strings like normal, but in truth Carrick didn't need to. His only real job, under very little pressure, was to retain possession and give it the full backs. A pleasing way to see in the new year.

• 
  135

  50

  3.00

  Ashley Young

  Will have been slightly disappointed not to have made more of this opportunity when he ought to have been rampant against a slow Jean Beausejour. His presence worries defenders but lacked a spark,

• 
  187

  22

  3.50

  Tom Cleverley

  Cleverley was busy in the middle of the park, venturing forward at will and proving to be a real handful for the holding Wigan midfielders. The former loanee will have enjoyed his return to the DW Stadium.

• 
  332

  21

  4.00

  Chicharito

  Even though he got the winning goal on Boxing Day, Chicharito was off the pace. This was a much-improved performance - two goals and an assist - where he pulled the three Wigan central defenders all over the place.

• 
  332

  21

  4.00

  Robin van Persie Top of the Match

  The striker's finish for the second goal was absolutely delicious, and if he didn't do anything else in the game you'd forgive him for that stroke of genius. Van Persie, however, offers so much more than that and continuously shows why he's been the best bit of business this season.

Substitutions

• 
  78

  69

  2.00

  Chris Smalling

  His cameo was a funny one. Almost scored a comical own-goal and might have been sent off for hauling down Arouna Kone.

• 
  199

  12

  2.50

  Shinji Kagawa

  Jinking and weaving - this was exactly what you expect from Kagawa in a match that was already won and one in which he could use for fitness. Sir Alex will be delighted with that.