Match Review
Wigan Athletic 1 v 3 Manchester United, JJB Stadium, 12.45 Saturday 14th October 2006.
Goals: Wigan Athletic - Baines (4). Manchester United - Vidic (62), Saha (66), Solskjaer (90)
Attendance: 20,631

As a wise man once said football is a game of two half's, and my god was he right! United found themselves 1-0 down before the dust settled from Leighton Baines' 30 yard free-kick after Patrice Evra was adjudged to have hand-balled. It looked a safe distance but the Wigan defender had other ideas and the England U-21 international smashed a screamer into the top of the United's net leaving EVDS no chance whatsoever.

United played poorly for the entire first half with SAF deploying a 4-5-1 or 4-3-2-1 system, with Wayne Rooney again being wide on the left . It has never worked and never will. Rooney may as well be on an exercise bike as he was left isolated and unable to take part in what he does: best attacking and creating. Once again he looked a forlorn figure in the United's awkward formation.

SAF employed Paul Scholes, Michael Carrick and John O'Shea in central a midfield that never quite got to grips with Wigan. For periods United chased the ball and looked very poor while Heskey and Camara pestered Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic in United's rearguard but couldn't quite take advantage of their early goal.

A sublime piece of skill on the 20 minute mark demonstrated the old cliche; that form is temporary and class is permanent as Rooney chested a ball down on the edge of the area, found some space in a congested area and whacked a spectacular shot against the Wigan crossbar but United & Rooney were about to flourish .

United kept the ball well for the rest of the half but with no real zest and never really looked like scoring until a tactical masterstroke from SAF at half time!!!

Ryan Giggs was brought on for Wes Brown and Rooney was switched to partner Louis Saha up-front. United were transformed into world beaters. Do you remember that team from the 90's that kicked arse? Because that's what the visiting Reds saw, Rooney, Giggs and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer began to systematically destroy Wigan. Solskjaer, who was one of the few in the first half to take any credit, almost immediately lifted United as the winger fired a shot over the bar within seconds of the restart.

A goalmouth scramble later saw Wigan clear as both Saha and Solskjaer took bites at the cherry but to no avail. The next opportunity was probably United's best, as Rooney crossed towards Saha only for De Zeeuw to make a mess of his clearance. But with seemingly bags of time in front of goal the Frenchman shot wide from close range.

The goal was coming though as Ole gestured for the crowd to keep it up - United fans sang loud and proud with a tangible energy. United were bound to score.

A short while later the man who crys bees, Nemanja Vidic, opened his goalscoring account after meeting Ryan Giggs' corner. The Serbian leapt like a Scottish salmon and drove a powerful header passed Kirkland for the equalizer. Four minutes later the newly rampant United took the lead with the now sparkling Rooney crossing from the left for Saha to control immaculately and place the ball into the back of the net turning. The JJB away end erupted into fits of delight.

United later also could have been awarded a penalty as De Zeeuw brought down destroyer Giggs. As play was waved on the ball fell to Saha whose effort was saved by Kirkland while Giggs gave referee Bennett an earful.

United looked like scoring again and finally did in the 90th minute but not before Rooney unselfishly set up Solskjaer even though he had the chance to break his goalscoring drought. Solskjaer took the square pass only for Bindipper loanee 'keeper Kirkland to save.

The game came to a finish as Rooney grabbed his second assist of the day, flicking the ball to Solskjaer who poked the ball home for his fifth goal of the season.

LONG LIVE 4-4-2!

A big thanks to Peter for my ticket & a big up to Lee Dixon, Abbott, Rob Wilson, Big Ged, Patty, Kev Killen (the Flowers of Manchester was awesome again), Toddy, Grant (my next seat neighbour at OT), Tinker, Tanner (the Bertolli Man) Calv, Mike, Bez, Austin & Ladybird Travel.,

Rant Ratings
van der Sar (6); Brown (6), Ferdinand (6), Vidic (7), Evra (9); Solskjaer (8), Carrick (5), O'Shea (5), Scholes (7), Rooney (8); Saha (7).
Subs Used: Giggs (8) for Brown (45 mins)
Subs not used: Kusczak, D.Jones, Smith, Richardson.

United's Man of the Match
Take a bow Patrice Evra, a shaky start but then a fantastic performance for 80 minutes. Well done son.

Rants Reaction
United produced a terrible first half display but magical second. It was all down to tactics and the good old 4-4-2. Evra has cemented his place in the side and Mr. Ferguson play Rooney in the middle and Ole on the wing please!

Was Rant's Prediction Right?
No as we said 2-0. United Rant 1 v 9 Wrong Predictions.

Milestones
Nemanja Vidic's 1st goal of his United career
Louis Saha's 18th Premiership goal of his United career and 30th goal overall for the club.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's 88th Premiership goal of his United career and 120th overall for the club.

Miscellaneous Info
United's next match is on Tuesday 17th October 2006 against FC Copenhagen in the UCL at Old Trafford with a19.45 kick off.