Premier League - United win, Rooney injured

Eurosport - Thu, 15 Jan 14:44:00 2009

Manchester United went second in the Premier League after Wayne Rooney's first-minute goal gave them a hard-fought 1-0 home win over Wigan.

FOOTBALL 2008-2009 Premier League Manchester United Man United-Wigan Rooney - 0

Rooney pounced from close range after a run from Cristiano Ronaldo down the right, but he came off six minutes later and is expected to miss the next three weeks with a hamstring injury.

United were holding on at the end but steady defending saw them go two points behind leaders Liverpool with a game in hand.

They will go top if they beat Bolton at the weekend, with Liverpool not playing Everton until Monday night.

It was Rooney's fifth Premier League goal and 14th in all competitions this season.

The England striker's replacement, Carlos Tevez, missed a straightforward chance when a poor first touch sent him too far wide after he was played clean through.

The Argentine's miss came in the 25th minute and appeared to dent his confidence as, despite working hard, he barely got a sniff on goal and was outshone by Wigan's rugged defence.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson later said that Tevez played with a knock for the second half, while defender Jonny Evans also struggled with an injury.

The goal-scoring start stunned Wigan, but despite dominating first-half possession the hosts had little else to show other than a shot from Nani that went well over Chris Kirkland's crossbar and a long-range drive from Paul Scholes that was blocked by Mario Melchiot.

Wigan were on the back foot for much of the first half but created speculative efforts from distance by Luis Antonio Valencia, Emile Heskey and Wilson Palacios, with the latter subject of a Ł10 million bid from Tottenham that was rejected minutes before kick off.

They also had the second-best chance of the half when Paul Scharner rose to head a Ryan Taylor cross into the side netting on 38 minutes.

Steve Bruce's men grew into the match and, three minutes later, Taylor should have made Edwin van der Sar work but curled a shot wide when he was found unmarked in the box.

In the second half, Wigan were the better side.

Aside from some clever build-up play by Dimitar Berbatov - who had one cheeky effort with the outside of his foot go wide with six minutes left - United barely got a look-in.

Wigan almost grabbed a leveller just after the hour mark but Amr Zaki's volley was blocked and Taylor's follow-up was saved by Van der Sar, who was by far the busier keeper.

The Dutch veteran was forced to act bravely under pressure on two occasions while he saved well from Palacios's spectacular long-range shot.

Serbia centre-half Nemanja Vidic was becoming United's key man, with key challenges on Heskey and Maynor Figueroa and a generally strong aerial performance that helped keep them ahead.

The Latics piled on the pressure in the closing minutes but United clung on to the win while Wigan lost only their second Premier League match in eight.

Reda Maher / Eurosport

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  1. Would George Best of blessed memory have attempted a shot at goal with the outside of his foot?

    From kumbe2004, on Fri 16 Jan 6:19PM

  2. Man U above LFC? Not that easy. Enuff said

    From Cruz C, on Fri 16 Jan 8:10AM

  3. I`m a Liverpool fan, but i have to say that, although man u are not playing that well, they keep grinding out winning results, and i`m concerned. I think the winners of the EPL could be decided by the outcome of the man u v Liverpool game, i obviously want Liverpool to win but lets see a good game. Nothing against Man city but lets hope this deal with KAKA does`nt happen, for the sake of football, not just for the top 4.

    From kawasaki kid, on Thu 15 Jan 11:50PM

  4. It will be a very tough fight. ManU beat a Chelsea side that was not themselves (at least what they usually are) but it will not be easy in the games to come. LPool will beat them again if they do not draw at Old Trafford. For that I assure you. This year is theirs no matter what. They did very well without Torres, Skrtel and Agger and now that they are back........

    From nikaj123, on Thu 15 Jan 8:05PM

  5. you did well cristi

    From The Ghost, on Thu 15 Jan 7:38PM

  6. Wether through politics or whatever it takes, man u will find a way to stay behind Lpool.

    From nikaj123, on Thu 15 Jan 7:25PM

  7. Honestly Wigan put up a good fight in the match but someone had to win dat is y man u took d day. I knew man u will definitely catch up to clinch the premiership title,they r just 2 points away from liverpool n for sure they will catch up.Except liverpool win all their matches without a draw, man u is d team. I also wish arsenal will step up to oust aston villa from the 4th position cos they have to be in the championship next season. Good luck to them.

    From Geelo, on Thu 15 Jan 7:23PM

  8. everyone shut up bout liverpool and united they got no chance
    go on gunners all the way wenger!!!!!

    From kerrybrooks121, on Thu 15 Jan 7:05PM

  9. SHUT UP FATSOS

    From Nath, on Thu 15 Jan 5:59PM

  10. man u have the experience and liverpool simply dont, thats gonna be the difference

    From Ryan, on Thu 15 Jan 5:06PM

  11. I have to comment on posts between 101--117, plus varidus others.
    regarding scousers morals.
    just to mention...WAYNE ROONEY BORN 1985 CROXTETH LIVERPOOL
    his mother must really appreciate yor comments/
    LIVERPOOL,MANCHESTER, BIRMINGHAM, & LONDON PLUS ALL THE REST
    ARE ALL LOVELY AND GREAT CITIES, AS ARE THE PEOPLE IN THEM,
    ONLY ONE TEAM CAN WIN THEW TITLE, GOOD LUCK TO WHOEVER IT IS.
    PLEASE STOP RUNNING DOWN YOUIR OWN COUNTRYMEN & WOMEN, AND IF
    WE ARE NOT YOUR COUNTRYMEN, PLEASE RESPECT US..
    NOW CAN WE HAVE A SANE FORUM

    From arsnic, on Thu 15 Jan 4:16PM

  12. Squeaky bum time Scousers:)

    From timmins.barry, on Thu 15 Jan 4:06PM

  13. It is going to be a testing month ahead for Manchester United.... with players like Rooney out(3 weeks), Evra also 3 weeks, Rio out as well, and with the amounts of games that we have and a semi final clash as well, may exhaust the players even more, and FA Cup 4th round coming up, and CL knock out stage as well, it will be asking a lot of ManU to win all Cups... Just get two and i am happy, maybe the League Cup, since we are in the semifinals and the League make it 3 in a row and level with Liverpool with 18th Premier League trophy, Champions League is a big ask and FA Cup depends on the draw as well

    From Clement L, on Thu 15 Jan 4:03PM

  14. I have to comment on posts between 101--117, plus varidus others.
    regarding scousers morals.
    just to mention...

    From arsnic, on Thu 15 Jan 4:02PM

  15. ALL ENGLISH FOOTBALL
    PREMIER LEAGUE – FA CUP – CARLING CUP
    CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – UEFA CUP

    YOU FIND ALL MATCHES ON WEB: PREMIER LEAGUE, CHAMPIONSHIP, FA CUP, SERIE A, LIGA, BUNDESLIGA AND MUCH MORE

    ALL PREMIER LEAGUE HIGH-LIGHTS

    From go to www.premiership.altervista.org, on Thu 15 Jan 12:44PM

  16. ALL ENGLISH FOOTBALL
    PREMIER LEAGUE – FA CUP – CARLING CUP
    CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – UEFA CUP

    YOU FIND ALL MATCHES ON WEB: PREMIER LEAGUE, CHAMPIONSHIP, FA CUP, SERIE A, LIGA, BUNDESLIGA AND MUCH MORE

    ALL PREMIER LEAGUE HIGH-LIGHTS

    From go to www.premiership.altervista.org, on Thu 15 Jan 12:43PM

  17. "only managed 1 against wigan"?!?! what sort of deluded fool are u people do u watch football at all. We are playing well 2 losses in 8 games both 1 - 0 against man u and arsenal. Dont comment when u obviously know nothing! up the latics!

    From 1982, on Thu 15 Jan 12:05PM

  18. Mm.... this our club Manchester United can surprise every one..I remember some people saying they wont step up this year ! But they have just started stepping up! Manchester rules !

    From eddiemupo2, on Thu 15 Jan 11:16AM

  19. the big difference with liverpool and man u is strength in depth.... what will happen if gerrard gets injured... man u have cover everywhere like for like strength for strength.. i think that will be the difference this season.

    From darklove, on Thu 15 Jan 10:36AM

  20. liverpoop is going down...going down..going down...Liiiiiverpoop is going down...the wannabe....

    From Sir dOn da Nut, on Thu 15 Jan 10:30AM
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