| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
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MANCHESTER UNITED
De Gea Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra Valencia, Carrick, Cleverley, Nani Hernandez, Welbeck |
WIGAN
Al-Habsi Alcaraz, Caldwell, Ramis Boyce, McCarthy, McArthur, Figueroa Kone, Di Santo, Maloney |
Wayne Rooney (leg) is still several weeks away from returning to first-team action after sustaining a nasty gash against Fulham whilst defenders Phil Jones (knee) and Chris Smalling (metatarsal) remain sidelined, so no changes to the back four are anticipated.
Robin van Persie (thigh) and Shinji Kagawa (back) are further doubts after picking up injuries on international duty and may not be risked ahead of United's Champions League clash with Galatasaray. The Dutchman was substituted at half-time in Holland’s World Cup qualifier against Hungary as a “precautionary measure”.
Japanese playmaker Kagawa has been sent for a scan on a persistent back problem which forced him to miss his country’s midweek friendly. Darren Fletcher (bowel) and Ashley Young (knee) are still unavailable for selection.
Roberto Martinez has almost a full quota of players to choose from. Antolin Alcaraz has returned from suspension and will likely replace Maynor Figueroa in Wigan’s back three, assuming he can shake off a niggling groin/pelvis injury.
The Honduran defender is expected to move forwards to left wing-back in place of Jean Beausejour after the Chilean tore his hamstring in Wigan’s last outing against Stoke. James McArthur is now back to full fitness.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
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Manchester United have yet to keep a clean sheet this season, coming from behind twice and conceding five goals in three games.
- Robin van Persie (pictured right) scored the 100th league goal of his career in his last match against Southampton, taking his tally this season to four league goals and propelling him to joint leading scorer. He has scored 66.6% of Man Utd’s goals.
- The Red Devils have had more shots on goal (54) than any other team, at a rate of 18 shots per game.
- Before losing 1-0 against Wigan last season, Manchester United had a 100% win record against the Latics.
- Wigan have won 8 of their last 12 games and scored in 13 of their last 14, with only Chelsea managing to shut out the Wigan attack.
- Before beating Man Utd 1-0 at the DW Stadium last season, Wigan had never even managed to pick up a single point against the the Red Devils, losing all 13 previous encounters.
- Wigan have scored just once at Old Trafford in seven league appearances, never winning or drawing, and conceded 24 goals.
- The Latics have had three players (Antolin Alcaraz, Hugo Rodallega, Conor Sammon) sent off in their last two visits to Old Trafford.
