Wigan 1 Manchester United 2 Premier League Result For me, Manchester United’s 2-1 away victory last night at Wigan typified their professional approach to the Premier League this season, now only 1 point away from retaining the Premiership title. After winning both the Champions League / Premier League double in the 2008/2009, you could have imagined some teams to have taken their foot off of the gas in the subsequent season. However we are talking about the ultra competitive Sir Alex Ferguson, who has the motivation for winning pulsating through his veins.
Wigan’s Antonio Valencia could have put the home team ahead in the first minute of the match where he broke through with Vidic chasing him from behind in no position to tackle. Although when Valencia pulled the trigger, he went for a delicate chip and Vidic managed to do just enough to put him off balance. Fergie will have been watching the Ecuador international closely as there has been a reported link between Man U and the player. Real Madrid are also rumoured to be making a £15m bid, it’s not going to be long until Steve Bruce has to let go of this extremely quick and talented midfielder.
In the 10th minute Berbatov tricked Titus Bramble and then delivered a great cross on to Rooney’s head; the England striker uncharacteristically headed wide. Shortly after this, Berbatov again played the right wing role to deliver a great pass along the deck to Michael Carrick who narrowly missed sending the ball wide of the far post.
However it was the Latics that surprisingly took the lead. In the 28th minute, Columbian striker Hugo Rodallega scored a slightly scrappy goal which could have been avoided with some more assertive defending from the Red Devils.
Manchester United could have equalised with Ronaldo going through with a 1-on-1 with the Latics goalkeeper Richard Kingson.
In the second half Man Utd remained in a frustrated state as Steve Bruce’s side battled more in the way that has guaranteed them their Premier League survival. Past the hour mark however, the visiting team managed to get a goal, another scrappy one where Tevez awkwardly connected with a miss hit shot from Michael Carrick to find the back of the net. They all count, as they say.
Man U kept pushing and pushing. The inevitable was in sight and it came with a great left footed drive from England international Michael Carrick. Carrick deservedly got Sky Sports man of the match award and demonstrated the class that he can bring to the England set up with the World Cup 2010 just around the corner.
Overall a great result for Steve Bruce’s old boss but Brucey will be frustrated that he cannot get a result against Manchester United. However, the Wigan players reacted to the frustration shown from their boss on the weekend after the West Brom defeat with a solid performance worthy of any Premier League side. Quoted on the Latics website: “I've been trying for ten years to get a result against them, and I thought tonight would be the night I got it, but it wasn't to be. Overall I couldn't wish for anymore, we did everything we possibly could to get the result.”