1, 2, 3, 4, 5 - Nil !!
By Roger
December 31 2009
Manchester United scored five and it could easily have been been ten as they brushed past a poor Wigan Athletic side at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening. Wayne Rooney was in imperious form as the champions closed the gap to just two points behind pace setters Chelsea. Over 74,000 people braved freezing conditions to see the reds put recent less than convincing performances behind them.

The goals came from Wayne Rooney on 28 minutes, Michael Carrick after 32, Raphael Da Silva on 45. These were added to by Berbatov after 50 minutes and finished off with a fine goal from Antonio Valencia with 15 minutes left.  Earlier chances had been missed and Rooney also hit the bar and the post during the match.

Wigan were never really at the races despite having a couple of reasonable chances themselves. The visitors had very little to offer for long periods of the game and this might have explained why the away section was very sparsely populated - the Latics fans probably knew what was in store for them.

Rooney ran his socks off and is hitting peak form at the perfect time. The confidence is returning to the rest of the team and Sir Alex's wish to be within touching distance of the leaders at the end of the year has been granted.

A fourth succesive and a record 19th title is not beyond the bounds of possibility despite Chelsa's apparent early season invicibility. On this form United could beat anybody!

The next match is a cracking F A Cup tie at home to rivals Leeds United on Sunday lunchtime. The festive period is beginning to look bright at Old Trafford.

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