Wigan 1 Manchester United 2: Match report

13 May 2009 21:59
At the end of a day when Liverpool's captain, Steven Gerrard, was inexplicably voted Footballer of the Year, Manchester United showed why they are the team of the year, why they will be champions, why they are packed with players who deserve individual honours. [LNB]Fighting back from Hugo Rodallega's shock opener, resisting the enterprise of Steve Bruce's men, United reacted as champions do, charging forward in red waves, refusing to contemplate one dropped point, let alone three. Carlos Tevez equalised, Michael Carrick struck the winner but others merit special mentions, particularly Wayne Rooney, who gave another stirring demonstration of the art and craft of Total football. [LNB] Related ArticlesWigan v Manchester United: In picturesPremier League tablePremier League highlightsTelegraph player raterFor all the kind words of Bruce and Dave Whelan, United had known they were in for a test here. Bruce had crammed his five-man midfield with dogs of war in the centre, Lee Cattermole, Michael Brown and Paul Scharner, with whippets out wide in the flying form of Antonio Valencia and Charles N'Zogbia. Wigan players often seem to use the United fixture as a shop window, promoting their talents to potential suitors. [LNB]Bruce's tactics certainly confused United in the first half, the blue-and-white-striped wall limiting the champions' chances while Wigan's counter-attacking kept United wary of over-committing themselves. A good surface made awkward by rain further unsettled Ferguson's defence, particularly when the energetic Rodallega, resplendent in usual May-day attire of short sleeves and gloves, began running at them, leading to his shock goal just before the half-hour mark. [LNB]No wonder Bruce's players were applauded off the pitch at the break. No wonder Sir Alex Ferguson sent his team out early for the second half. No wonder he turned to Tevez midway through the second period, such a richly-rewarding move. [LNB]Even before Rodallega's goal delighted Wigan and Liverpool alike, Bruce's players could have seized the lead. Within 90 seconds, Wigan could, really should have scored, following a quick right-wing break. Mario Melchiot's throw-in was flicked on by Rodallega and the danger should have been dealt with by Jonny Evans. Not for the last time, the Irishman slipped, allowing Valencia a clear run at goal. Vidic responded, racing back after the Ecuadorean, who seemed distracted by the Serb's thundering hoofs. Valencia's chipped effort on goal was poor, the ball drifting wide. United escaped. [LNB]The champions were stirred into action, piecing together two fantastic moves that should have brought reward. After good approach work by Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, Dimitar Berbatov crossed from the left, the ball arrowing perfectly to Rooney, whose header was awful, truly awful, flying harmlessly wide. Then Carrick shot off-target, wasting an excellent cross from Ronaldo. [LNB]Wigan refused to be overawed. Edwin Van der Sar pushed over a free-kick from N'Zogbia and then saved low from Rodallega. Wigan were building, a threat on the counter, clearly alarming United's defenders, who never looked at ease on the greasy grass. Vidic dashed to the technical area to swap his studs. [LNB]The Serb clearly felt he needed better grip on the slippery surface. New boots donned, Vidic charged back on and must soon have been regretting the footwear change. When Cattermole lifted a long pass through to Rodallega, Vidic slipped twice, the first under pressure from the Wigan striker, so gifting the Colombian his chance. [LNB]There then came one of those moments that seems to unfold in slow motion: as Vidic sought to rise from the ground, desperately attempting to get to Rodallega, the Colombian looked around, not sure where the ball was. Locating it, Rodallega swung his left foot, and Van der Sar was beaten. [LNB]As celebrations began on three sides of the JJB Stadium and doubtless on the red half of Merseyside, inquests gripped United. Convinced that he had been fouled, Vidic grumbled so loudly that Rob Styles soon summoned him across for a lecture. Frustration ate into United. Ronaldo threw a wobbly, following a fair challenge from Cattermole. [LNB]Ferguson acted, changing tactics from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2 with Ronaldo joining Berbatov through the middle, Anderson briefly on the left and Rooney on the right. The England international almost forced the breakthrough, running on to Paul Scholes's pass, and appealing for a penalty when challenged brilliantly by Scharner. No penalty. Great tackle. [LNB]Ferguson moved again. Anderson off. Tevez on. United were now 4-2-4, risking the counter-punch in their desire to impose themselves on the game. Tevez gave them hope, gave them focus, and vitally gave them a goal. And what a goal! Ronaldo glided through the middle, laying the ball off to Carrick, who drilled the ball low into the box. Tevez was just onside as the ball was played and his response was sensational, back-heeling the ball athletically past Richard Kingson. Whether he knew exactly where the goal was, his 15th of the season was definitely intended. [LNB]Attacking the end containing fans chanting 'Argentina, Argentina'', Tevez was inspired, continuing to scare Wigan. One pass sent Ronaldo down the right and into the box. Maynor Figueroa challenged the speeding Portuguese, knocking him slightly out of his stride. Ronaldo kept going but never fully regained his footing and eventually fell. All United were adamant it was a penalty and such a decision would not have been an injustice. Styles waved play on as Ferguson went into meltdown. [LNB]The Scot's mood hardly improved when Ronaldo, showing surprising haste, fired wide after a lay-off from Tevez. As United's manager signalled his anger, Ronaldo stared hard at him.[LNB]And then came Carrick, running on to John O'Shea's pass to shoot left-footed home from the edge of the area, really getting the title party started. One point required. [LNB] 

Source: Telegraph