Tune in at 10:00 AM ET as Man United takes on Wigan. Dan Frankel will be liveblogging for your enjoyment.
Thanks for joining me today as Wigan Athletic travel to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United after a two-week international break. Please feel free to send in your comments and questions.
United have had a histrionic start to this season. After losing an opening fixture to Everton 1-0, they have had consecutive come from behind 3-2 victories over Fulham and Southampton. Sir Alex Ferguson apparently is getting tired of the dramatic, as he has pleaded with his team this week to stop conceding soft goals and concentrate more on defending.
Wigan have 4 points from their opening 3 matches, with their most recent result being a 2-2 tie with Stoke City. Wigan manager Roberto Martinez hopes to duplicate the performance his team put in last season against United, as they shocked the Red Devils 1-0 at DW stadium. The game as we know now was very meaningful for both clubs, as it cut United’s lead from 8 points to 5 over City and it kept Wigan out of the relegation zone. However, the Latics have a poor record at Old Trafford, having lost every one of their seven previous games.
NOTE: Ryan Giggs is in line to make his 600th Premier League appearance, Paul Scholes is set for his 700th game for the club and, Rio Ferdinand his 400th, all in today’s match.
Macnhester United Starting 11: Lindegaard; Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Buttner; Nani, Carrick, Scholes, Giggs; Chicharito, Welbeck
Bench: De Gea, Evans, Cleverley, Powell, Valencia, Kagawa, Van Persie.
Wigan Athletic Starting 11: Al Habsi; Boyce, Caldwell, Figueroa, Ramis, Beausejour; McCarthy, McArthur; Maloney, Di Santo, Kone
Bench: Pollitt, Jones, Crusat, Watson, Gomez, Boselli, Miyaichi.
An interesting lineup for United today. Fergie has kept Kagawa and Van Persie on the bench to begin the match, after both of them picked up knocks during the international break. Welbeck and Chicharito get their opportunity to start up front.
United are also going to debut Alexander Buttner, the 23 year old replaces the not in form Patrice Evra in the starting lineup. Buttner was a summer transfer for United, bought from Dutch club Vitesse. Lindegaard continues to start in net for United as De Gea is forced to watch once again.
Just a few second away from kick-off!
1' - United maintaing possession early on.
2' - Buttner takes his frist touch for United. Cross is blocked from the left touchline.
2' - Slow start to the game so far. United passing it around the back
3' - Wigan sitting back deep letting United possess the ball in their own half.
Wigan looks like they are content to slow the game down. MIght be a smart idea considering they have failed to score in 8 of the last 10 league games against United.
Long ball over the top for Welbeck to chase, Al-Habsi comes out and Welbeck takes a dive and gets awarded a penalty!
Chacharito to take the penalty
Poor penalty from Chacharito. Hits it too soft and Al-Habsi gets down well to his left and gets a hand on it
Wow what a missed opportunity for United.
7' - Welbeck finding lots of space but takes too many dribbles and loses it on top of the Wigan 18
Chacharito misses the penalty today - Van Persie misses the penalty last game.
9' - Vidic with a great ball in almost gets to Giggs. Ball comes back to Buttner, but his cross is poor and behind the Wigan net.
Buttner is pushing up high on Wigan's back 3
@Ferguson picked up an injury representing his country. On the bench today. Could see an appearance later.
11' - United seeing a lot of the ball so far. Wigan hasn't seen the ball yet.
12' - Nani takes a crack from long. Blocked bravely by Wigan. Finally have the ball now.
@semao - yes, but I am sure Fergie is hoping that he does not have to use him.
14' - Buttner looking very composed on the ball.
15' - Welbeck does well to make a darting run past the Wigan defenders, but his shot is well blocked by the recovering defender. Corner for United
16' - Poor corner by Giggs, Wigan quick to counter now
