Wigan Athletic 0-4 Manchester United

Yesterday capped off a pretty good Christmas period with the kind of thumping we have been threatening to deliver to somebody. Once again Fergie rang the changes, bringing Giggs back on the left and seeing the return of Rafael to right back. It was noticeable that he stuck with Carrick and Cleverley in the middle of the park.
United didn't start too brilliantly, but gardually go their feet into the game, until on the half an hour mark, they put their foot down and took control of the game. And once that first goal went in, which United had been threatening, United bossed the game totally. Wigan aren't a bad side, and they did manage to create a couple of chances, but you expect them to fashion a chance or two.
It was noticeable to see Erva involved with the original shot on goal, that saw the rebound fall to Hernandez to open the scoring. Whilst he's still not the player he was, especially in his defensive duties, his attacking form is approaching his best form, if not actually exceeding it. If that shot had have gone in, that would have been two in two games, almost unthinkable in the past. Rafael also showed that whilst Smalling has done a decent job at right back, Rafael is the more natural in the position. He made some great runs in the second half and had one cracking effort on goal during the first half.
The man of the day had to be Van Persie though, it was great to see how well he combined with Hernandez from a deeper role. This might sound nuts, but i don't think we have seen of the best of the Dutchman yet. To me he is getting better each week, whether in the front man role or as yesterday, playing slightly deeper. He's gelling with his team mates far better now, understanding his role in the team better. That first goal was just class, top players score goals like that, and he is very definitely a top player. In fact he is the player we expected Wayne Rooney to become when we got him all those years back. That's not having a pop, i just don't think Rooney has been the player we hoped for, consistently enough. Van Persie's run for what was almost a second goal when the score was three nil was just as good as the first goal.
The fourth and last goal was just the icing on the cake, as Welbeck caused the home defence to panic and saw him cross to Van Persie to tap home. I'm tempted to say that normal service was resumed for United away at Wigan, but if that offside goal hadn't been disallowed it could have been a totally different game.
Still all of a sudden we are looking really strong as we enter the new year. I'm not going to predict we are going to walk away with the league, but we've obviously got a great chance. I'll be fascinated to see if we can take our recent form into Europe, if we can get our defending somewhere near where it should be, that forward line will cause anybody in Europe sleepless nights. Pity we had to get Real first up, still come through that, and we'd have to be just behind Barca and maybe Dortmund as favourites.

Robin Van Persie sounds as if he is enjoying his time at United, and why not, he feels as if he is surrounded by champions. Let's hope it's not just feels, come May.

It had been rumoured on grapevine, United's young Chilean is to move to Wigan for the rest of the season on loan. It looks to be a good move for him, though as usual the Mail manage to find a negative angle on the move.
I wonder what will become of Will Keane when he returns from his knee injury, if he does, that has become disturbingly quiet. I wouldn't mind seeing him going out on loan towards the end of the season, if he successfully comes back that is.

Another United attacking youngster is on the move as Norway's Josh King makes a permanent move to Ewood park and the circus that is Blackburn Rovers under the Venky's. Funny one this, i think he will become a decent player, but not the player he looked like he had it in him to become, when he burst onto the scene as an 18 year old. He really looked like he had first team potential all ove him. But a combination of injuries and a couple of disappointing loan spell saw him fade down the scene. He has great speed and strength, but doesn't really convert enough of his chances. I suppose regualr first team football could see that improve. It will be fascinating to see how his career develops.