Clevz: Could return to the starting line up against the team he played for on loan last season.
It’s back to business for the reds this Wednesday, as they make a short trip across Lancashire to play their 33rd Premier League game of the stadium against lowly Wigan Athletic.
Eight points clear at the top, and six games left means that the reds are within touching distance of title number 20, but can’t afford to get complacent. A win on Wednesday has to be in the bag by 10.00pm, and it’ll be interesting to see how Manchester City fair against a West Brom side, who are capable of pinching points of the top teams.
Team News:
Sir Alex Ferguson may choose to rotate his squad with important games coming thick and fast in the title run in. Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand could both be rested, and Tom Cleverley and Chris Smalling may step up to take their place.
Nani is fit again after missing a few weeks with an ankle injury, and Paul Pogba may be in line for some game time at the DW Stadium..
Wigan could have striker Hugo Rodallega on the sidelines again with injury, and Mohamed Diame may start after scoring as a substitute at Chelsea at the weekend.
The Game:
Wigan recently recorded their first ever win at Anfield, and are now in search of their first ever point against Manchester United.
Buried in the relegation zone for most of the season, a 10 man Wigan side lost the reverse of Wednesday’s fixture 5-0 when they visited Old Trafford, and will need to perform to get anything out of this one.
United have been winning games for fun recently, and did Wigan a favour on Sunday by beating fellow relegation candidates QPR 2-0 at the Theatre Of Dreams.
Wigan have lost only two games since the beginning of February, the second of them being Saturday’s controversial defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge by a single goal.
But United can smell the title now. They’ve got to that stage of the season where they’re confident, in control, and mean business.
Did you know…
- Manchester United have scored 21 goals in their last five games against Wigan – including three 5-0 wins. In those games, Wigan have scored none.
- Wigan’s last goal against United was scored by Hugo Rodallega in a 2-1 home defeat in May 2009.
- United have a 100 % record against Wigan. 13 Premier League matches and the 2006 Carling Cup final.
- Wayne Rooney has scored 10 goals in 14 league and cup games against Wigan.
So – with a 20th title now looming, I believe that the reds will extend their run at the top of the table to 10 points. I think a win is on the cards at the DW Stadium, and with recent form and events at the Etihad taking over sanity and football, I think Roy Hodgson’s West Brom will come away with a point from that one.
Wherever you’re watching it, enjoy the game.
Follow me on Twitter: @stevecrab
Man united 4 life