• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Manchester Football

A website about football in Manchester

You are here: Home / Manchester United / Shock United title stutter

Shock United title stutter

April 11, 2012 by Tony Bugby

WIGAN ATHLETIC 1, MAN UNITED 0.

Sean Maloney blew the Barclays Premier League title race wide open with lowly Wigan Athletic’s unlikely match-winning goal against mighty Manchester United at the DW Stadium.

It earned Wigan their first-ever victory against the Reds and lifted them out of the bottom three relegation places for the first time since September.

However, it at the opposite end of table where the reverberations were even greater as United’s eight-point lead was suddenly slashed to five as City breathed new life into their fading title challenge with a 4-0 home win against West Brom.

“It was one of those off-nights that you sometimes get in football,” declared Reds’ manager Sir Alex Ferguson who admitted his side under-performed, though he was convinced his side ought to have been awarded a second-half penalty.

He continued: “It was a disappointing night for us. We were second for every ball in the first half and we were completely dominated by Wigan.”

Ferguson also lavished praise on Wigan describing them as one of the best footballing teams in the division and occupying a false position.

United had won all 13 of their previous Premier League games against Wigan scoring 42 goals and conceding just four. They had been expected to preserve that record against their relegation-threatened opponents having strung together a run of eight straight victories.

It was a measure of how badly United performed that Ferguson had made all three changes by midway through the second period with Wayne Rooney, Javier Hernandez and Ashley Young all substituted.

It was clear from the kick off it would be a difficult night for United as Wigan played with real purpose as a drive from James McCarthy was turned over the bar by David de Gea.

Wigan also had a goal controversially chalked out just short of the half hour when Gary Caldwell was adjudged to have obstructed de Gea as Victor Moses powered home a header.

The ineffective Young was replaced by Tom Cleverley at the break while it was not long afterwards that Danny Welbeck and Nani were introduced to try and inject some vitality into a lacklustre display.

Maloney struck the decisive goal in the 50th minute cutting in from the left, though largely unchecked, before curling a shot beyond de Gea to his left.

United had a legitimate claim for a penalty rejected in the 73rd minute when a cross from Phil Jones clearly struck the arm of Maynor Figueroa.

Ferguson was remarkably conciliatory pointing out his side had enjoyed a lucky break three days earlier when their opening goal against QPR was clearly offside and these things even themselves out over the course of a season.

Filed Under: Manchester United, Match Report, North West, Premier League Tagged With: Ferguson, Maloney

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Primary Sidebar

Categories

  • Altrincham
  • Ashton United
  • Curzon Ashton
  • Europe
  • FA Cup
  • Hyde United
  • International
  • League Cup
  • Manchester City
  • Manchester City Women
  • Manchester United
  • Manchester United Women
  • Match Report
  • Melbourne City FC
  • Mossley
  • New York City FC
  • Non League
  • North West
  • Oldham Athletic
  • Premier League
  • Salford City
  • Stockport County
  • Stretford Paddock
  • UEFA Champions League
  • Uncategorized

Manchester Football

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

RSS Manchesterfootball Youtube

  • Pep's Man City snubbed by Julia Roberts who went to see Man Utd instead
    manchesterfootball
  • Man City vs RB Leipzig Lightshow and booing of Champions League anthem Tuesday March 14 2023 4K
    manchesterfootball
  • When Julia Roberts came to Manchester she went to see United! - Pep on Erling Haaland's 5 goals
    manchesterfootball

RSS BBC Football News

  • Manchester United sale: Revised bids for club due on Wednesday evening March 21, 2023
    Prospective owners of Manchester United are told they have until 21:00 GMT on Wednesday to submit second, revised bids for the club as the takeover saga accelerates.
  • Antonio Conte: Tottenham boss needs to be 'more precise', says midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg March 21, 2023
    Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg calls on manager Antonio Conte to be "more precise" following the Italian's rant on Saturday.
  • Roy Hodgson: Is Crystal Palace's returning boss the safe pair of hands the club need? March 21, 2023
    Crystal Palace are taking a big gamble by enticing their former manager Roy Hodgson out of retirement, writes Phil McNulty.
  • Roy Hodgson reappointed as Crystal Palace manager until end of season March 21, 2023
    Former England manager Roy Hodgson is reappointed as Crystal Palace boss until the end of the season.

Search Manchester Football

Copyright © 2023 · Metro Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in