Rooney partners with Tevez, Dong Fangzhuo not on the list
After a sluggish start to the season, Manchester United has made a strong comeback recently. In the last five league matches, they achieved full marks without conceding a single goal, demonstrating an impressive form. On the other hand, Wigan Athletic has had a poor run of one draw and three losses in their previous four matches, casting a shadow over their prospects for this game. Notably, Wigan's away performance is average at best, having only earned one point so far, which boosted the confidence of fans who were optimistic about Manchester United. The only disadvantage for Manchester United was that they participated in the Champions League in midweek, which might have affected their stamina to some extent. However, this may not be a decisive factor in determining victory.
Today, Manchester United continued to use the partnership of Rooney and Teves upfront, while our player Dong Fangzhuo did not make the matchday squad. In midfield, Giggs and Ronaldo Jr. occupied the left and right sides respectively, with O'Shea and Scholes in central positions. On defense, Evra was on the left, young Pique on the right, and the central defensive pairing remained Vidic and Ferdinand. The goalkeeper was Kuszczak.
Vidic injured and substituted off, Wigan nearly scores an own goal
The game began after a coin toss, with Manchester United kicking off first. In the 5th minute, Tevez crossed from the right flank, and Wigan player Olembé almost scored an own goal with a header, but goalkeeper Kirkland managed to deflect it powerfully. Subsequently, Ronaldo Jr. fell inside the box, but the referee did not award a penalty. In the 10th minute, Kompany’s shot from outside the box missed wide of the right post. In the 15th minute, Ronaldo Jr. and Rooney combined well in the center, but no shot materialized. In the 16th minute, Rooney attempted a powerful shot near the edge of the box, which was blocked by a defender and went out for a corner. In the 21st minute, Manchester United substituted Anderson for the injured Vidic. In the 29th minute, Ronaldo Jr.'s cross from the right flank was missed by Tevez.
Tevez misses golden opportunity, both teams end first half scoreless
In the 29th minute, Giggs' corner kick found Ronaldo Jr., whose header went wide. In the 30th minute, Manchester United substituted Simpson for the injured O’Shea. In the 31st minute, Rooney received a yellow card for a foul tackle. In the 32nd minute, Skoko attempted a long-range volley from outside the box, which was saved by Kuszczak. In the 34th minute, Rooney's breakthrough was thwarted by a Wigan defender, and Giggs followed up with a volley that was caught by Kirkland. In the 36th minute, Tevez's short pass penetrated deep into the area where Evra fell, but the referee did not award a penalty. In the 38th minute, Ronaldo Jr. suddenly unleashed a long-range shot, which Kirkland tipped over the bar. In the 45th minute, after a series of feints, Rooney entered the box and shot, but the ball was blocked by Boyce's leg. In stoppage time, Ronaldo Jr. delivered a clever pass into the box, and Tevez, after evading defenders, hit the ground with a shot that narrowly cleared the crossbar. Both teams ended the first half scoreless.
Tevez rides solo to break deadlock, Manchester United takes lead at home
In the second half, neither side made any substitutions. In the 48th minute, Anderson's long-range shot was blocked by a defender. In the 49th minute, Giggs' corner kick found Pique, who headed it towards Tevez, who then struck a volley that hit the side netting. Half a minute later, Rooney's header lacked power and was easily collected by Kirkland. In the 51st minute, Wigan replaced the injured Melchiot with Hall. In the 52nd minute, Ronaldo Jr.'s cross from the right flank was headed clear by a defender, and Giggs followed up with a left-footed strike from the corner of the box that hit the crossbar and bounced out, missing a golden opportunity to take the lead.
In the 54th minute, Rooney made a brilliant through pass in midfield, Anderson sprinted forward and delivered a diagonal pass to the right flank where Tevez feigned past a defender and deceived the advancing goalkeeper before calmly slotting the ball into the bottom left corner, giving Manchester United a 1-0 lead over Wigan.
Ronaldo Jr. headers home, Manchester United widens lead
In the 57th minute, Evra fell inside the box, but the referee did not award a penalty. In the 58th minute, Kompany's long-range shot grazed the post and went out for a corner. In the 59th minute, Manchester United won another corner opportunity, and after combining with Rooney, Giggs delivered a cross that was partially saved by Kirkland. Ronaldo Jr. then nodded the ball into the empty net from close range, making the score 2-0.
In the 62nd minute, Brown's long-range shot went wide. In the 65th minute, Rooney's cross from the right flank was headed clear by Kirkland. In the 66th minute, Wigan replaced Olembé with Valencia. In the 67th minute, Chanell's shot was brilliantly saved by Kuszczak. In the 73rd minute, Ronaldo Jr.'s breakthrough was stopped by Kirkland. In the 75th minute, Kompany's long-range shot went high.
Ronaldo Jr. completes brace, Rooney ends scoring drought
In the 76th minute, Anderson successfully intercepted the ball in midfield and quickly distributed it to Rooney, who broke through and delivered a precise cross for Ronaldo Jr. to finish clinically, extending Manchester United's lead to 3-0. In the 79th minute, Ronaldo Jr.'s shot inside the box went high. In the 81st minute, Manchester United substituted Nani for Tevez.
In the 82nd minute, Simpson broke into the box from the right flank and delivered a cross, and Rooney leapt high at the back post to head home his first league goal of the season, making the score 4-0. Ultimately, Manchester United triumphed 4-0 over Wigan Athletic at home, securing their sixth consecutive league victory.