Introduction
After a midweek Champions League games in the South of France, Manchester United are on the road again on Saturday as they make the short trip to Wigan Athletic as the quest for the Premier League title resumes. This match marks the start of three quick fire away trips in the space of eight days that will go some way to defining the outcome of the coveted 19th league championship. Whilst many supporters will have their eyes on the glamourous trips to Chelsea (Tuesday) and Liverpool (next Sunday), three points at the DW Stadium must first be attained. With main rivals Arsenal looking to pick up their first bit of silverware for 5 years in the Carling Cup Final on Sunday, this fixture gives the Reds the opportunity to once again go 4 points clear at the top.
United will be looking to consolidate their perfect record against the Latics on Saturday afternoon. Twelve wins from twelve games have transpired since 2005. In that time, the Reds have only conceded four yet have scored 37.
The Opposition
Wigan Athletic currently sit third from bottom of the Premier League and manager Roberto Martinez faces an uphill battle to keep them in the top tier of English football. They have won just three and drawn six of their 14 home games so far with only 16 goals scored.
This lack of fire power can be best illustrated by their top scorer being Hugo Rodallega with just seven and Charles N'Zogbia with just five. Coupled with this, they have the 2nd worst defensive record in the top flight which ultimately points towards a long hard fight to keep afloat.
United fans will be encouraged by news that the infamous pitch at the DW Stadium has been re-laid but the quality of this has still to be determined. Wigan share the ground with the Warriors rugby league side and this constant battering along with inclement weather means that the pitch can often resemble a ploughed field! With a bit of luck the new surface will have bedded in well by kick off and will be conducive to the slick football that the Reds have shown their fans on the road this season!
The 24 year old winger was signed from Newcastle in February 2009 for a fee of £6million. The move to Wigan occurred after falling out with ex manager Joe Kinnear who famously "mispronounced" N'Zogbia's name as "Insomnia".
He arrived at St James Park after being spotted by chief scout Charlie Woods while at the Le Havre academy and was signed after a month's trial. N'Zogbia was the last player bought by the late Sir Bobby Robson.
Since joining the Latics, he has scored 10 goals in 72 appearances and has proved himself to be one of the most dangerous widemen in the Premier League. He turned down a summer move to Birmingham after a £9m bid had been accepted. N'Zogbia made his international debut for France in August 2010 against Norway after being called up after their World Cup debacle by Laurent Blanc.
United
With the news that Rio Ferdinand is expected to be out until next Sunday, Chris Smalling will again be given the chance to demonstrate his growing maturity alongside Vidic at the heart of the defence once more. I would expect Rafael to reclaim the right back slot after a few games out of the first team lineup.
With Anderson out for a few more weeks, I would imagine that Fletcher and Carrick will be handed the centre midfield berths for the Reds with Paul Scholes ready to come back in for Tuesday's trip to Chelsea. If Giggs is fit then he will surely play on the left with Nani on the right. If the Welshman does not make it then it is possible that Rooney will play there with a possible inclusion for Owen or Hernandez alongside Berbatov up front. The DW Stadium was where Owen scored his first United goal last season so he may get the nod as he needs match practice.
Score Prediction
I am going to go for a 2-0 away victory with goals from Berbatov and Rooney. The manager mentioned recently how he wants these two to step up their away performances so it will be interesting to see if this is heeded. United's class should prove too much for the Latics as the game drifts on and I would expect the two goals to come in the second half after some home pressure has been absorbed. Wigan will be dangerous with the likes of Rodallega and N'Zogbia and their current plight means they have to battle for every point.
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