United a step closer to title

Wigan Ath 1, Man United 2

MANCHESTER United left Wigan all smiles, but it could so easily have been red faced after they stumbled to a victory which leaves then one point away from defending their Premier League title.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in a dramatic final half-hour at the JJB Stadium.

Goals from substitute Carlos Tevez and Michael Carrick spared the blushes and set up Saturday’s home game against Arsenal when a draw will clinch the title.

But it was a hard-earned win at Wigan and one which had lady luck smiling kindly on them as the spirited home side came within a whisker of causing an upset.

Wigan gave the champions-elect the fright of their lives for an hour only to run out of steam as United took control in the latter stages.

Ferguson thought it was a case of keeping patient and praised a “gutsy performance.”

But United made a tentative start, one in which Antonio Valencia ought to have given Wigan the lead inside 90 seconds.

Valencia, reportedly a summer transfer target for the Reds, burst through on goal but, being pursued by Nemanja Vidic, inexplicably shot wide when it looked as though he could not miss.

United keeper Edwin van der Sar had to make a brilliant save to keep out Charles N’Zogbia’s goalbound free kick before Hugo Rodallega sprinted clear after a slip by Jonny Evans only to shoot straight at van der Sar as Wigan looked far from a team which had picked up only one point from a possible 15.

It was no surprise when Rodallega fired Wigan ahead shortly before the half-hour mark.

Vidic was beaten in the air by Rodallega and slipped as the ball dropped to the Colombian who slotted a shot low inside the near post for only his second goal since his £4.5million January transfer.

United managed only three attempts at goal in the opening half, and none were on target as Wayne Rooney headed wide and blazed over when well placed each time while Carrick clipped a near-post shot just over.

Ferguson resisted the temptation to make changes at the interval but, with no improvement in fortunes, he finally brought on Tevez for Anderson just short of the hour.

And what an inspired substitution it proved as Tevez found the net within three minutes of his arrival.

Carrick’s long-range shot was going wide but Tevez managed to skilfully divert the ball low to the left of keeper Kingson.

This proved to be the catalyst for the fightback as Carrick clinched victory with a spectaular goal in the 86th minute.

Vidic, Cristiano Ronaldo and John O’Shea were involved in the build-up and Carrick fired a measured left-foot shot high into the top corner, a goal worthy of winning any match.