Pre match team news - Wigan v. Man Utd
The maths are simple for Manchester United beat Wigan Athletic on Saturday and they will win their tenth Premier League title.
There is little point in attempting to calculate the scorelines required for Chelsea - who go into the weekend level on points with United - to come top should both clubs win as United have a goal difference of plus 56 to their 39.
Anything other than three points would count as one of the great footballing shocks. Not only are United one of the finest teams when playing under pressure, they are also tasked with beating one of their favourite opponents.
Since Wigan's promotion to the top-flight in 2005, United have won every game with an overall scoreline of 20-3. That includes three 4-0 victories in six games, the latest coming in October of last year. A team of consummate professionals, United will do anything but take their opponents lightly and this week Ryan Giggs spoke words of caution regarding the team managed by former Red Devil Steve Bruce.
"It's going to be a tough game. Wigan have got some decent players. They showed that when they played Chelsea and got a draw," said the veteran winger. That 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge a month ago was followed by draws with Spurs and Reading and, most recently, an impressive 2-0 win away at Aston Villa.Speaking after that match, Bruce said: "It's as good as I've ever done in management, in terms of where we were going into the Blackburn game in mid-December with nine points."To get 31 points since the turn of the year is fantastic for the players. I'm delighted we've managed to do it and do it in some style against Villa who have been playing well." Bruce is likely to stick with the same team that impressed last weekend, including two-goal hero and reported United transfer target Antonio Valencia, as their squad is relatively free of injury and suspension.
United are still waiting on the fitness of central defender Nemanja Vidic, who suffered a concussion after a collision with Didier Drogba two weeks ago, although he is expected to be fit enough to play. His appearance would force Wes Brown to move to right-back, despite impressing recently in the centre, freeing up Owen Hargreaves to replace the suspended Nani in midfield.
