Analysis: Manchester United 4 Wigan 0

Premier League, Saturday 15^th September 2012

A return to domestic action this weekend saw United cruise to a win over Wigan, a game including debuts and goals for Alexander Büttner and Nick Powell. Javier Hernandez missed an early penalty as United struggled in the first half, but after raising the tempo in the second Wigan were no match, and the Reds ran out easy winners. Below are some key observations from the match:

Tempo was key

United returned to a 4-4-2 shape with Carrick and Scholes in midfield, and Welbeck and Hernandez up front. The first half was a sluggish affair, partly because of the pedestrian pace at which Carrick and Scholes were dictating play. Half-time was a turning point though as United returned from the dressing room with heightened energy levels, and began to move the ball quicker, hence creating plenty of chances. Also important in enabling United to play with more vigour was Wigan’s poorness in possession, gifting the ball to a player in Red far too often, something that allowed more risks to be taken. This match though showed the importance of United taking the game to the opposition; the first half was simply too slow, and could’ve been costly had United allowed Wigan to gain any more of a foothold. The increase in tempo was necessary for United to put Wigan to the slaughter. This video wonderfully captures the rise in speed and urgency in United's 2nd half pressing game.

Formation theories

Sir Alex decided to revert to a 4-4-2 formation, rather than the 4-2-3-1 he has been operating recently. It appears the 4-2-3-1 is a move aimed at accommodating Shinji Kagawa rather than a permanent tactical shift, and due to Kagawa’s absence against Wigan, United moved back to a 4-4-2. In this formation, Welbeck and Hernandez pressed extremely well from the front, but further back Scholes and Carrick were at times lacklustre in their defensive duties, and against a better team United may have found themselves overrun. Ryan Giggs was at times sloppy on the left and if it wasn’t for the excellence of Büttner on that flank Wigan could’ve threatened dangerously down that side. It remains important that when in the 4-4-2 United’s midfield retains its shape and keeps its urgency in winning the ball back. The 4-4-2 meant a more direct threat than in a 4-2-3-1, something that suited Welbeck and Hernandez running the channels, and was a welcome variation that will be useful in the games ahead.

Going Forward

There were appearance landmarks all round; Ferdinand’s 400^th game, Scholes’ 700^th, Giggs’ 600^th in the league. It is good to see these experienced players still performing well, but Giggs and Ferdinand will have to beware the sloppiness that at times nearly cost them against Wigan in their passing and defensive concentration respectively. It was a positive game for Danny Welbeck who looked far more at home up front than on the left as he has been playing recently, and there were good encouraging debuts for United’s new boys. With an almost fully healthy squad, United have plenty of options to refresh the eleven ahead of Wednesday’s game with Galatasaray, a welcome situation.

Ratings

Lindegaard-7, Rafael-6, Ferdinand-5, Vidic-6, Büttner-7, Carrick-6, Scholes-7, Nani-6, Giggs-5, Welbeck-8*, Hernandez-7

(Van Persie-6, Powell-7, Evans-6)

*Man of the match