Source: Daily_Mail
Wigan 0 Manchester United 4: Hernandez double has Red Devils on cruise control
[LNB]Javier Hernandez made it a lucky 13goals for the season as Manchester United charged four points clear of Arsenal with a clinical victory at Wigan. [LNB]Sir Alex Ferguson declaredthe Premier League title battle was now a straight fight between hisown side and the Gunners, and with trips to Chelsea and Liverpoollooming, United could not have made a better start to their week on theroad. [LNB]Preferred to Dimitar Berbatov,Hernandez justified the faith of his manager, turning home Nani'sfirst-half cross before finishing Wayne Rooney's brilliant second-halfthrough ball.[LNB] On the mark: Wayne Rooney (left) rounds Wigan keeper Ali Al Habsi[LNB] [LNB]Rooney and Fabio then scored in thefinal minutes to leave relegation-threatened Wigan thoroughly deflatedat a result that did not reflect their performance.[LNB]Three times Edwin van der Sar needed to make outstanding saves, whilst skipper Nemanja Vidic was a towering presence in the United defence.[LNB] Ferguson often speaks of his regret at failing to land Van der Sar in 1999 when he was searching for Peter Schmeichel's replacement. [LNB]At the time, the giant Dutchman was at Ajax and about to leave for Juventus.[LNB] Instead, Ferguson tried a number of alternatives. Some were better than others and titles kept being won.[LNB] But was not until Van der Sar arrived from Fulham in 2005 that concern about the goalkeeping position ended. [LNB]This summer, Ferguson must hope for more success as Van der Sar heads off into retirement, having hit the 40-mark but still capable of producing the brilliance that has categorised his career. [LNB] On our way: Chicharito opens the scoring for United[LNB]Two first-half saves were responsible for United having a half-time lead at the DW Stadium when they could easily have been behind. [LNB]A poor back-pass from Paul Scholes presented Victor Moses with the first opportunity. Moses strode into the United box with only Van der Sar to beat.[LNB] He failed, blasting his shot against his imposing opponent's chest. That was when the contest was still goalless. Within seconds of United's opener, Wigan were in again. [LNB]This time Moses was the provider, drilling a low cross to the far post where the combative James McCarthy was on his own six yards out.[LNB] Again, only Van der Sar stood between Wigan and the net.[LNB] Once more he came out on top. That Hernandez had scored in between only added to the Latics' frustrations. [LNB]The Mexican, preferred to Dimitar Berbatov, tends not to look as dangerous when starting games. He clearly knows how to find space, though. [LNB]And, having once been denied by Ali Al Habsi after streaking clean through, the Mexican wriggled into enough space to steer home Nani's 17th-minute cross. [LNB] The rout is on: Rooney slides home a third[LNB]It was tough luck on Wigan, who were the better side, frustrating Scholes and Rooney in particular. [LNB]That Scholes avoided a booking for clattering into the back of McCarthy was a mystery to everyone but referee Mark Clattenburg. [LNB]Rooney had earlier caught the midfielder on the back of the head with his elbow. The Wigan fans were incensed.[LNB] Rooney pleaded his innocence. TV replays were inconclusive. [LNB]Before the half had ended, Rooney had needlessly got himself involved in a shoving match with Antolin Alcaraz and still looked ill at ease in the second period even though United played with far more poise. [LNB] Diame barred: Michael Carrick (left) slides in on Wigan's Mohamed Diame[LNB]They were forced to survive another near thing for Wigan before they took command, though. [LNB]This time, Van der Sar needed agility rather than reactions to deny Maynor Figueroa. [LNB]Nani came close to doubling the visitors' lead when he thrashed a fierce shot into the side-netting, not long after he had been repelled by Ali Al Habsi's firm one-handed save. [LNB]Ferguson made comparisons between Nani and Cristiano Ronaldo earlier this week. [LNB]United's current Portugal winger is certainly a major attacking threat and Al Habsi repelled him with the first part of a double save, when he also denied Darren Fletcher, who had been set up by Rooney. [LNB]The England man may still be struggling for goals himself but he remains an excellent source of them. [LNB]After failing to convert a close range header, Rooney collected Hernandez's knock-down, then fed the Mexican with a delicately weighted pass. Clean though, the Mexican found the bottom corner with ease. [LNB]Victory assured, a Rooney tap-in from Berbatov's square ball, followed by Fabio's close-range finish, his first United goal, merely rubbed Wigan's noses in it at the start of an eight-day period when, one senses, the strength of their title credentials will be discovered once and for all. [LNB] Job done: Javier Hernandez (right) fires home for United[LNB] Fergie dismisses Chelsea and City title hopes: It's between us and ArsenalNotorious Wigan pitch relaid for visit of table-topping Manchester UnitedWIGAN ATHLETIC FC
