[EPL] Man Utd 5-0 Wigan

[drivemein]

Anderson, Neville and Scholes set for return
-soccerway.com-



Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson will have Anderson, Gary Neville and Paul Scholes back on his squad for Wednesday's home game against Wigan Athletic.

The injured trio had to pull out of the Hull City visit last Sunday (1-3 win) but will be available for tomorrow's important league match against Wigan.

Ferguson also announced that centre-backs Jonny Evans and Rio Ferdinand will be back in action soon, with John O'Shea due to return a little later.

Edwin van der Sar, who has been missing with a knee injury since the end of November, has been told to stay in the Netherlands with his wife, who is in hospital.

The veteran goalkeeper's wife suffered a brain haemorrhage.

Ferguson says there is no need for Van der Sar to return to the club until his wife's condition improves.

"I have told Edwin to stay over there. There is no point in him being here.," said Ferguson.

"The best thing is for him to be with his wife. Hopefully she will make a good recovery."

During Van der Sar's recent absence from the United team due to his knee injury, Ferguson has preferred Tomasz Kuszczak in goal ahead of Ben Foster.

[drivemein]

Martinez - No Fergie strain
-skysports.com-



Wigan boss and United counterpart on good terms

Roberto Martinez believes he and Sir Alex Ferguson have been able to 'laugh off' the recent comments attributed to the Wigan manager.

An article in a Spanish newspaper in October carried an interview purported to have been given by the Latics boss in which he suggested the Football Association was afraid to punish the Manchester United legend.

Martinez was also reported to have claimed that Blackburn and Everton managers Sam Allardyce and David Moyes were staunch defenders of the United boss, with the duo joining the Scot in his feud with Liverpool's Rafa Benitez.

However, the former Swansea manager had a pre-Christmas meal with Ferguson, Allardyce, Moyes and Stoke assistant Peter Reid and the Wigan boss said the incident was not an issue.

"In a way we know we are exposed to certain things. It has happened to many managers in the past and it will happen in the future," said the Spaniard, who takes his side to Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

Understanding

"What is important is to put the record straight, take action against any media group that say things that are not right and make sure the names that are involved have a clear understanding of what has happened.

"Once that is done it is quite simple to understand because we have all been in a situation when we know how exposed we are and how easy it is for it to happen.

"I think we have got a good relationship, good enough to laugh off these situations.

"It is not an issue and it does not put any strain on our relationship at all."

[drivemein]

Man United v Wigan Preview: Consistency Now the Key, says Alex Ferguson
-football.fanhouse.co.uk-



MANCHESTER UNITED:
Sir Alex Ferguson's team are just one win away from tucking themselves in behind the leaders Chelsea, as Sir Alex Ferguson hoped they would be at the turn of the year.

Ferguson's horrendous injury list is beginning to clear, with Nemanja Vidic and Wes Brown now secure at the back, and victory over Wigan will take his team to within two points of Carlo Ancelotti's men, who still have to travel to Old Trafford and are set to lose a host of players to the African Nations Cup.

United responded to the 3-0 defeat at Fulham with a 3-1 victory at Hull and Ferguson is in no doubt about the importance of this game.

"The league is so tight now and teams are taking points off each other that you don't expect and it's tightening up the whole league," Ferguson said. "A consistent run from someone will give them a great chance and our experience of run-ins is good.

"We can handle that part, the important thing is winning this game, which would put us in a position I hoped we'd be in -, within a couple of points of the leaders coming into the new year.

"The important thing now is that we have our players back and hopefully they will stay back and we can find the consistency we usually find at the second half of the season and that will be key to us."

Strategy: United have a superb record against the Latics, having won each of the 10 games they have played against the DW Stadium outfit, and they will believe they can extend that run at Old Trafford. Having already beaten them 5-0 in the league this season, Ferguson will want his team to play quality at a tempo that Wigan can not handle.

Wigan are likely to employ Charles N'Zogbia and Hugo Rodallega in advanced wide positions and that is the area where United will win the game. It is up to Patrice Evra and Rafael to force the two Wigan wide-men deep to press Wigan in their own half and give United the platform for victory.

Injury Update: Gary Neville is back from a groin problem and Paul Scholes returns after missing the win at Hull with hip injury. Jonny Evans and Rio Ferdinand could return soon but John O'Shea is facing a few more weeks out. Nani is also missing.

WIGAN ATHLETIC:
Wigan's first Premier League away game of 2009 was at Old Trafford and their final game of the calendar year also takes them back to the Theatre of Dreams.

Back in January, Rooney put Ferguson's side ahead inside the opening minute but Wigan, under Steve Bruce, recovered to produce a battling performance. They may have lost 1-0 but they left Old Trafford with praise from Ferguson ringing in their ears.

"They were the best side to play here by far this season," said the United manager. "They have made us work really, really hard." A repeat performance with fill manager Roberto Martinez with hope going into 2010.

Wigan start their final game of the year looking to steer clear of the bottom three but with games in hand over the teams around them. Certainly the Spaniard will be looking for a marked improvement from the last time these sides met in August, when five goals in 34 second half minutes left the Latics on the wrong end of a 5-0 scoreline.

Chris Kirkland, the keeper, insists Wigan are going to United in high spirits after coming from behind to earn a point against Blackburn on Boxing Day.

"If we perform there like we did in the second half against Blackburn it could be our lucky day to get something from Old Trafford," said Kirkland.

"It's a great game to look forward to and everyone will have to be at 110 per cent for the entire game to even stand a chance of getting a result, and that's what will be drilled into us in the build-up to the game."

Strategy: No wonder this is being labelled as one of the safest home wins of the holiday programme. Wigan's Premier League record against United does not make happy reading: played nine, won none, lost nine, scored four, conceded 26. Yet there is a glimmer of hope for Martinez's men.

Aston Villa's 1-0 win at Old Trafford earlier this month proved that Ferguson's side are not invincible at home. The worrying aspect for Martinez's side is that they have not managed a cleansheet away from home since the opening day of the season. "It's a game where we are going to need everyone playing at their best," said Martinez.

Injury Update: Mohamed Diame, who missed the game with Blackburn due to injury, is set to make a surprise return to the substitues' bench. Martinez had originally ruled the French midfielder out of his plans for a month after he limped off with a knee injury against Liverpool on December 16. "He has progressed quicker than we originally thought he would," said Martinez. "I wouldn't be surprised if he is on the bench."

[drivemein]

Fergie rallies Rooney for Wigan test
-manchestereveningnews.co.uk-



SIR Alex Ferguson has called for Wayne Rooney to maintain the form that helped Manchester United destroy Hull on Sunday.

Rooney scored his 14th goal of the season to put the Reds ahead then created two more after his mistake had allowed the Tigers to level at the KC Stadium.

With Ferguson's defensive injury problems starting to ease, the United boss is now looking to build some momentum heading into the second half of a campaign which could yet end with his side being crowned champions for an unprecedented fourth consecutive Barclays Premier League season.

But for that to happen, Ferguson acknowledges he needs Rooney to be fit and firing.

After a couple of lethargic performances from the 24-year-old, his most recent effort signalled a revival, one that his manager is looking for Rooney to continue.

"Wayne was fantastic on Sunday. That was the Wayne Rooney we know," said Ferguson.

"He had a quiet spell for two or three matches but he was explosive at Hull. He was a constant threat.

"That is the kind of form we are hoping for because when he is playing like that, he is hard to handle."

However, ahead of tomorrow night's local derby with Wigan at Old Trafford, Ferguson is expecting others to step forward too.

Berbatov assistance

Dimitar Berbatov has not always given the impression of being a man at ease with his surroundings.

The former Tottenham star capitalised on Rooney's through ball to tap in United's third goal at the weekend and is certainly capable of adding to his current tally of five.

Michael Owen is hoping for an opportunity to show his class as well, while Paul Scholes is set to return from a hip problem tomorrow as United look to narrow the gap on leaders Chelsea to just a couple of points heading into the new year.

"Wayne can step forward and be the main man but there are a few who have to step forward in that respect," said Ferguson.

"We are coming to the time now. The challenge is there.

"The league is so tight and teams are taking points off each other that you don't expect.

"It means a consistent run from someone will give them a great chance.

"Our experience of run-ins is good. We know we can handle that part.

"The important thing is to beat Wigan tomorrow which would put us into the position I hoped we could get to, a couple of points off the leaders coming into the new year."

[cr7lover]

duh baru inget manager Wigan skr dah bukan Steve Bruce...kemaren pas lawan Hull ngeliat Bruce di bangku penonton bego2nya masi sempet mikir nih org lagi "ngerjain pr" buat Wigan vs United hihi

[rondwisan]

29/12/2009 10:30 - ManUtd.com, James Tuck
Match Pack: Wigan



United's 65th and final game of 2009 is against Wigan, whose 10-game record against the Reds isn't much to write home about...

Form guide: Wigan are without a win in four matches after battling to a 1-1 home draw with Blackburn on Boxing Day, a result which leaves them hovering above the relegation zone. It's been a strange old first half of the season for the Latics, who have beaten Chelsea and Aston Villa and drawn with Manchester City, but suffered heavy defeats to Portsmouth and Tottenham – the latter that incredible 9-1 reversal last month.

United bounced back from the 3-0 setback at Fulham with a largely comfortable, if error-strewn, win at Hull on Sunday. The champions will be delighted that, despite an injury crisis and five defeats already, Chelsea are still within touching distance at the top. The record in all competitions between these two north-west rivals makes good reading for United, who have won all 10 previous encounters, scoring 30 goals and conceding just four. The Reds won 5-0 at the DW Stadium in August.

Ins and outs: Wigan, remarkably, have an almost entirely clean bill of health, with only Mohamed Diame (knee) on the sidelines. The outlook is looking brighter for United, who welcomed back defenders Nemanja Vidic, Wes Brown and Rafael against Hull and now have Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Anderson available. Jonny Evans and Rio Ferdinand are not too far away, but Edwin van der Sar has been granted compassionate leave to be with his ill wife.

Star man: Hugo Rodallega hit Wigan's equaliser against Blackburn last week and is the Latics' top scorer with seven goals. Wigan are unbeaten in the six league matches in which the Colombian has scored. Although the Reds kept the frontman quiet in August, he will still be a handful on Wednesday with his pace and power.

Manager: Roberto Martinez's philosophy of free-flowing, attacking football has produced some mixed results this season, as we've already outlined. But he has also instilled some grit into his side: already this season they have bounced back from thumpings at Arsenal and Spurs with wins over Chelsea and Sunderland respectively. Martinez returned in the summer to the club he graced for four seasons as a midfielder in the '90s. The Spaniard began his managerial career with Swansea in 2006/07 and, in his first full season, guided them to the League One title. After the Swans just missed out on a Championship play-off place the following term, Wigan came knocking.

Referee: United's opening-day 1-0 win over Birmingham was the first time Lee Mason has taken charge of a game involving the Reds. The Lancashire official has presided over 10 other Premier League matches this season, including Wigan's 2-1 win at Burnley in October, issuing a total of 29 yellow cards and four reds.

Rivals watch: On Tuesday night, high-flying Aston Villa welcome Liverpool and Bolton travel to Hull. The only other game on Wednesday night is third-placed Arsenal's trip to rock-bottom Portsmouth.

[Diego]

Tutup tahun dgn kado tahun baru indah,bantai wigan....

[B4YU]

preview dari official BPL

Referee: Lee Mason

Manchester United (2nd) v Wigan Athletic (15th)

Champions Manchester United host Wigan Athletic eager to close the gap on Chelsea at the top of the Barclays Premier League.

Manchester United team news

Gary Neville returns to the Manchester United squad for the Barclays Premier League encounter with Wigan as the Red Devils' defensive problems continue to ease.

Neville limped out of the win at West Ham earlier this month with a groin injury but is expected to fill the right-back berth against the Latics to complete an experienced back four.

Edwin van der Sar has been placed on compassionate leave, so Tomasz Kuszczak should continue in goal, while Paul Scholes has recovered from the hip problem which saw him miss Sunday's trip to Hull City.

Wigan Athletic team news

Wigan manager Roberto Martinez will check on the general fitness of his squad ahead of Wednesday's trip to Manchester United.

The Spaniard kept the same XI on the field for the entire 90 minutes in the Boxing Day draw at home to Blackburn and even with a couple of extra days of rest he may choose to freshen things up.

Midfielder Mohamed Diame is the only player unavailable as he recovers from a knee ligament injury.

squads

Manchester United: Kuszczak, Foster, Neville, Rafael, De Laet, Vidic, Brown, Evra, Fabio, Valencia, Park, Carrick, Fletcher, Scholes, Anderson, Gibson, Giggs, Obertan, Rooney, Berbatov, Owen, Welbeck, Tosic.

Wigan Athletic: Kirkland, Bramble, Scharner, Melchiot, Boyce, Figueroa, N'Zogbia, Gomez, Thomas, Scotland, Rodallega, Amaya, De Ridder, Sinclair, Kingson, Cho, Bouaouzan, McCarthy.

[and1]

mantab deh, pemaen2 lini belakang perlahan kembali pulih semua
wajib menang utk tetap menempel chelsi dg selisih 2 poin, apalagi di pertemuan pertama di kandang wigan, kita menang 0-5

perkiraan formasi

kusczack
neville/rafael
vidic
brown
evra
valencia
carrick
scholes/fletcher
park/giggs/obertan
rooney
owen/berbatov

[darryldevils]

harus menang, minimal 5-0 juga lah kalo bisa. hehe, menang lah, deketin chelsea. kita pasti bisa