Manchester United Must Beat Wigan To Stay In Contention
Manchester United will want to stay in contention as they host relegation-zoners Wigan in match week 18, on Monday, December 26, 2011. Two points adrift of Man City, on the league table, United will want to bank full three points from their penultimate match of the year, while hoping that City stumble against West Brom. If West Brom were to hold Man City to a stalemate, United and City would tie on points provided Sir Alex’s squad were to beat Wigan.
To find out at what time the match between Manchester United and Wigan is due to kick off, take a look at the EPL schedule.
In match week 17, Manchester United thrashed Fulham 5-0, away at Craven Cottage. It was all too easy for an injury jhit United and the match was virtually over by the interval. Though Fulham did better in the second half United scored two more goals to the three they did before the break. Fulham’s defence came apart and Danny Wellbeck’s goal was the best illustration of that as Nani ran unhindered for 50 yards down the left flank and a precision cross to an unmarked Wellbeck in the middle, resulted in United’s first goal from six yards out.
Wigan held Liverpool to a goalless draw, at home, in match week 17. Ali Al-Habsi was the hero for Wigan as he brought off some great saves including a Charlie Adam penalty as Wigan kept Liverpool at bay to salvage a point. Though Liverpool enjoyed the best chances throughout, their profligacy did not help their cause, and Wigan’s second draw on the trot after holding Chelsea to a stalemate has boosted their hopes of avoiding relegation.
Head to head, in the last 6 years, Manchester United and Wigan have met in 13 league games, with United winning on 12 with the remaining 6 gam ending in a stalemate. The last time these teams met was in February 2011; that match hosted by the Latics side ended 4-0 in the visitors’ favour.
The Red Devils have won 7, drawn 2 and lost 1 of their last 10 league matches, while Wigan have won 2, drawn 1 and lost the remaining 5 of their last 10 games
Currently 2nd behind Man City on the league table, United have hosted 8home games, this season, winning 6 and drawing and losing one each of the remaining; the Latics who are 18th placed on the table have had 2 wins, 1 draw and 5 losses, in their 8 away games.
While United are firm favourites to win the game, the pressure will be on them, and the Old Trafford side cannot take Wigan for granted especially after their good showing against Liverpool and Chelsea.
Man United’s starting eleven against Fulham: Lindegaard, Evra, Jones, Evans, Smalling, Giggs, Carrick, Nani, Valencia, Rooney, Welbeck
Wigan’s starting eleven against Liverpool:
About the Author (Author Profile)
Jinxatious is the Chief Editor of SportingAttitude.com
An avid writer, on an eclectic range of subjects, he brings to bear editorial experience garnered with a national newspaper in South-East Asia. He also has sportscasting experience, as a cricket commentator, and his passion for sport extends beyond Cricket, to Football, Tennis, and Olympic Sports.
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