This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/5415996.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Wigan v Man Utd Wigan v Man Utd
(about 7 hours later)
Wigan manager Paul Jewell will assess his 12 returning international players before he decides on his final squad. Match report to follow later.
Andy Webster is close to fitness but is not thought to be ready for his debut while Ryan Taylor and Steve McMillan remain long-term casualties.
Gabriel Heinze (both hamstring) is out of Manchester United's squad, but Ryan Giggs is back and could play a part.
Cristiano Ronaldo hopes to shake off an ankle injury he picked up on international duty.
Wigan (from): Kirkland, Jackson, Hall, De Zeeuw, Kilbane, Camara, Heskey, Johansson, Landzaat, Boyce, Scharner, Teale, Cotterill, Cywka, Webster, Skoko, Baines, Valencia, Todorov, McCulloch, Pollitt.
Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Neville, Evra, Ferdinand, Vidic, Brown, Saha, Smith, Carrick, Solskjaer, O'Shea, Richardson, Fletcher, Ronaldo, Jones, Scholes, Rooney.
  • Wigan boss Paul Jewell:
    "There was more pressure on us last season because everyone expected us to go down.
    "But Manchester United will want to win the league this year, they will feel they have a good chance.
    "We know it will be a tough game. What any manager wants out of his team is for them to give their best and whatever we get, I'll take it."
  • Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson on Wayne Rooney:"We are top of the league and we want to stay there.
    "We were superb against Newcastle last time out and we want to continue that."
    BIG-MATCH FACTSBIG-MATCH FACTS
    WIGAN ATHLETIC have struggled to reproduce the magnificent early season form of last year which saw them shoot up to second in the table by late October. Yet they're still unbeaten at home going into this clash with table topping Manchester United, who are unbeaten away.WIGAN ATHLETIC have struggled to reproduce the magnificent early season form of last year which saw them shoot up to second in the table by late October. Yet they're still unbeaten at home going into this clash with table topping Manchester United, who are unbeaten away.
    This is the second of three successive north west derbies for Paul Jewell's side and the first of a double header of Saturday lunchtime fixtures against the two Manchester clubs.This is the second of three successive north west derbies for Paul Jewell's side and the first of a double header of Saturday lunchtime fixtures against the two Manchester clubs.
    The Latics look for their first ever League points against Manchester United, after losing heavily at Old Trafford and 1-2 in this corresponding fixture in last season's Premiership meetings.The Latics look for their first ever League points against Manchester United, after losing heavily at Old Trafford and 1-2 in this corresponding fixture in last season's Premiership meetings.
    MANCHESTER UNITED travel just 25 miles in search of their 150th all-time away victory in the Premier League, which would put them three points clear at the top, at least until Chelsea play at Reading in the early evening fixture.MANCHESTER UNITED travel just 25 miles in search of their 150th all-time away victory in the Premier League, which would put them three points clear at the top, at least until Chelsea play at Reading in the early evening fixture.
    The Red Devils boast the strongest attack in the highest League, averaging exactly two goals per game - that's precisely double the average of their opponents. Should they be held by Wigan, it would be Manchester United's 1,000th draw in their League history.The Red Devils boast the strongest attack in the highest League, averaging exactly two goals per game - that's precisely double the average of their opponents. Should they be held by Wigan, it would be Manchester United's 1,000th draw in their League history.
    United beat Wigan three times last season, including two 4-0 victories in the Premiership at Old Trafford and in the Carling Cup final at the Millennium Stadium.United beat Wigan three times last season, including two 4-0 victories in the Premiership at Old Trafford and in the Carling Cup final at the Millennium Stadium.
    REFEREEREFEREE
    Steve Bennett (Orpington, Kent) Premiership referees' table Steve Bennett's 2006-07 Premiership card countSteve Bennett (Orpington, Kent) Premiership referees' table Steve Bennett's 2006-07 Premiership card count
    SEQUENCES/RECENT FORMSEQUENCES/RECENT FORM
    WIGAN ATHLETIC Club stats Fixtures 15th 5 pointsHighest achievable after Saturday's matches: 12thLowest could fall: 19thWIGAN ATHLETIC Club stats Fixtures 15th 5 pointsHighest achievable after Saturday's matches: 12thLowest could fall: 19th
    1. Won only one of seven matches this season, six of which were Premiership fixtures.1. Won only one of seven matches this season, six of which were Premiership fixtures.
    2. Picked up just two points from a last possible 12, since beating Reading 1-0 in their opening home game on 26 August.2. Picked up just two points from a last possible 12, since beating Reading 1-0 in their opening home game on 26 August.
    3. Registered one victory in nine Premiership matches.3. Registered one victory in nine Premiership matches.
    4. The 1-0 maximum over the Royals is Wigan's only block-out in 14 Premiership matches.4. The 1-0 maximum over the Royals is Wigan's only block-out in 14 Premiership matches.
    5. Failed to score in just one top flight exgagement this term.5. Failed to score in just one top flight exgagement this term.
    6. The 1-0 away defeat by Portsmouth on 9 September is the only occasion in eight top division encounters that Wigan have failed to find the net.6. The 1-0 away defeat by Portsmouth on 9 September is the only occasion in eight top division encounters that Wigan have failed to find the net.
    7. Had double as many points by this equivalent stage last season (10 after six matches in 2005, five after six in 2006).7. Had double as many points by this equivalent stage last season (10 after six matches in 2005, five after six in 2006).
    8. Never registered a goalless draw in the Premiership, nor in 46 League matches since the goalless stalemate home to Queen's Park Rangers on 23 April 2005 in the Coca Cola Championship.8. Never registered a goalless draw in the Premiership, nor in 46 League matches since the goalless stalemate home to Queen's Park Rangers on 23 April 2005 in the Coca Cola Championship.
    9. Played fewer matches than any other Premiership club (seven, six in the League).9. Played fewer matches than any other Premiership club (seven, six in the League).
    10. Completed 25 League games since a win by more than a single goal (0-2, away to West Ham on 28 December 2005).10. Completed 25 League games since a win by more than a single goal (0-2, away to West Ham on 28 December 2005).
    MANCHESTER UNITED Club stats Fixtures 1st 16 pointsHighest achievable after Saturday's matches: 1st Lowest could fall (mathematically): 6thMANCHESTER UNITED Club stats Fixtures 1st 16 pointsHighest achievable after Saturday's matches: 1st Lowest could fall (mathematically): 6th
    1. Won seven of nine League and Cup matches so far this season.1. Won seven of nine League and Cup matches so far this season.
    2. Lost one of the last nine Premiership outings (0-1, home to Arsenal on 17 September).2. Lost one of the last nine Premiership outings (0-1, home to Arsenal on 17 September).
    3. Seeking a sixth victory from their eighth fixture of this top flight campaign.3. Seeking a sixth victory from their eighth fixture of this top flight campaign.
    4. Not conceded more than a single goal in any League game this term, nor in nine matches - the longest current such run in the Premiership.4. Not conceded more than a single goal in any League game this term, nor in nine matches - the longest current such run in the Premiership.
    5. Lost two of the last 21 top flight outings, winning 16 of them.5. Lost two of the last 21 top flight outings, winning 16 of them.
    6. Won seven of the last nine matches on their Premiership travels.6. Won seven of the last nine matches on their Premiership travels.
    7. Kept only one clean sheet in 11 away League games (the 0-3 victory at Charlton on 23 August).7. Kept only one clean sheet in 11 away League games (the 0-3 victory at Charlton on 23 August).
    8. Scored six times in the first quarter (22 minutes) of Premiership matches this season - more than any other club in that particular sector.8. Scored six times in the first quarter (22 minutes) of Premiership matches this season - more than any other club in that particular sector.
    KEY PLAYER NOTES/POTENTIAL MILESTONESKEY PLAYER NOTES/POTENTIAL MILESTONES
    WIGAN ATHLETIC Squad profilesWIGAN ATHLETIC Squad profiles
    Emile HESKEY and Paul SCHARNER are Wigan's top scorers, with two goals each.Emile HESKEY and Paul SCHARNER are Wigan's top scorers, with two goals each.
    SCHARNER and Leighton BAINES are the only players to have been on the field for every minute of every one of the Latics' League and Cup matches this season.SCHARNER and Leighton BAINES are the only players to have been on the field for every minute of every one of the Latics' League and Cup matches this season.
    MANCHESTER UNITED Squad profilesMANCHESTER UNITED Squad profiles
    Wayne ROONEY scored four goals in the three Premiership and Carling Cup fixtures against Wigan last season.Wayne ROONEY scored four goals in the three Premiership and Carling Cup fixtures against Wigan last season.
    Louis SAHA tops the Red Devils' scorers list with five goals. Ole Gunnar SOLSKJAER is second with four goals. The Norway international has only made two starts and five substitute appearances for United.Louis SAHA tops the Red Devils' scorers list with five goals. Ole Gunnar SOLSKJAER is second with four goals. The Norway international has only made two starts and five substitute appearances for United.
    Rio FERDINAND is the only player to have been on the field for every minute of every one of United's League and Cup matches this season.Rio FERDINAND is the only player to have been on the field for every minute of every one of United's League and Cup matches this season.
    LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAMELAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
    Wigan Athletic 1-2 Manchester United6 March 2006 - Ref: Steve BennettWigan scorer: Scharner 60Man United scorers: Ronaldo 74, Chimbonda 90 ogWigan Athletic 1-2 Manchester United6 March 2006 - Ref: Steve BennettWigan scorer: Scharner 60Man United scorers: Ronaldo 74, Chimbonda 90 og
    HEAD TO HEAD TOTALSHEAD TO HEAD TOTALS
    Home and awayLeague: Wigan 0 wins, Man United 2, Draws 0Prem: Wigan 0 wins, Man United 2, Draws 0Home and awayLeague: Wigan 0 wins, Man United 2, Draws 0Prem: Wigan 0 wins, Man United 2, Draws 0
    at Wigan onlyLeague: Wigan 0 wins, Man United 1, Draws 0Prem: Wigan 0 wins, Man United 1, Draws 0at Wigan onlyLeague: Wigan 0 wins, Man United 1, Draws 0Prem: Wigan 0 wins, Man United 1, Draws 0