Premier League: Manchester United-Wigan preview
Written by: Brainiac
It’s pretty simple come Sunday for Manchester United: a victory over host Wigan means a record 10th Premier League title. It would be the time the Red Devils will have claimed back-to-back Premiership titles.
And history is not on Wigan’s side: The Latics have never beaten a 'Big Four' club. Wigan, in fact, is the only club of those currently in the Premier League not to have taken one point off Manchester United.
In the six meetings between Wigan and Manchester United, the combined score stands at 20-3.
That’s bad news for Chelsea, which needs a Wigan victory or draw to have any hope of overtaking Man U. Although Chelsea’s slim hopes have improved a tad with the news that that Wayne Rooney is likely to miss United's final league match of the season.
The England striker has been dealing with a hip injury in recent weeks and it is doubtful he will be risked for the decisive match against Wigan - though he will be available for the Champions League final. Rooney has missed two matches after suffering a recurrence of the injury during the 2-1 defeat against Chelsea on April 26.
With Louis Saha injured and Nani suspended, Sir Alex Ferguson has only two fit forwards in Carlos Tevez and Cristiano Ronaldo. However, the expected return of Nemanja Vidic will bolster the Red Devils’ defense.
"The mood has been good," Ferguson said of the tension surrounding his club. "We have had an eight-day preparation, which is better than we have had for weeks so any little niggles are all cleared up. I have no fears about their fitness. I have no fears on the confidence side and I have no fears about their form."
On Wigan’s side, midfielder Kevin Kilbane has been told to rest after struggling for weeks with a back problem. And defenders Mario Melchiot and Erik Edman remain sidelined.
Steve Bruce, who won three league titles as a Man U. player, has rejected any suggestion that his Wigan side might not give its all on Sunday.
"Everybody who knows me knows me better than that. What am I going to say to the team? 'Just roll over and let Man United win'? "That's not going to happen. Make no mistake, we'll be trying our utmost," Bruce said.
Under Bruce the Latics have played better, having drawn with Liverpool at Anfield, drawn at home to the Gunners and held Chelsea to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge in April.
If Bruce's side can also force a draw with United, the title will head to Chelsea if the Blues beat Bolton at home.
Ferguson said he expects a tough game from Wigan but is concerned at reports that some of the Bolton players went out celebrating the fact they have also avoided relegation.
"People have questioned Wigan's integrity but when you look at it, the different attitudes are quite interesting," said the United manager, who is chasing his 10th Premier League title. "The Wigan players are coming out and saying, 'We want to beat Manchester United.' That is fine, we are a big club.
"But both teams are safe, relaxed and confident. Yet one can celebrate and the other is all keyed up to play against Manchester United."
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