Wigan Athletic vs. Manchester United

Wigan vs. Manchester United
Premier League, DW Stadium
August 22, 10.00 EST

United Projected Starting XI:
----------------Foster---------------
---Fabio----Vidic----Brown----Evra----
--Valencia--Carrick--Fletcher--Nani--
--------Rooney------Berbatov---------

Players to Watch:
Wigan: Hugo Rodallega - Rodallega has played up front by himself most of the time so far this season for Wigan, and against United he will find it even more difficult. When playing against United it is important to take every chance given and Rodallega may only be give one or two chances all match, but he will be expected to finish.

Manchester United: Michael Carrick - After a very poor performance midweek which included a penalty miss, amidst rumours of an argument between him and Sir Alex, Carrick will be out to silence the critics against Wigan. In last year's corresponding fixture Carrick scored an 86th minute screamer to win the match.

Prediction:
Wigan 0:1 Manchester United
Goals: Antonio Valencia

After poor performances against Birmingham and Burnley resulting in three points United have a point to prove against Wigan. With the expected return of Nemanja Vidic, United will have a bolstered defense and will be expected to keep the clean sheet.

United will hope to have their first free flowing performance of the year, but Martinez's Wigan have looked decent so far and will provide a tough test. Expect another cagey game similar to the Birmingham game.

With Antonio Valencia likely to get the start against his former team I've picked him to get off the mark for United with a solid performance. I still expect it to be a nervous ninety minutes with United failing to find that next gear.

Wigan have a lot to prove under Martinez with the mass summer exodus and they may take some encouragement after seeing Burnley's victory over United. This may just be the perfect time to play Manchester United.