Manchester United v Wigan Athletic Preview

Manchester United  v  Wigan Athletic

Neville returns for United

Gary Neville returns to the Manchester United squad for the Premier League encounter with Wigan as the Red Devils defensive problems continue to ease.

Neville limped out of the win at West Ham earlier this month with a groin injury but is expected to fill the right-back berth against the Latics to complete an experienced back-four.
Edwin van der Sar has been placed on compassionate leave, so Tomasz Kuszczak should continue in goal, while Paul Scholes has recovered from the hip problem that saw him miss Sunday's trip to Hull.
Sir Alex Ferguson admits that if his side are going to keep their title challenge going they will need all their players fit and make use of a big squad.
"It is so tight,'' said Ferguson.
"When you see it grouped up like that the teams further down think they can do it.
"Sometimes the optimism is not realistic but people should feel like that about their chances because the league has lacked a consistent team that has won a few matches in a row.
"The vital answer to it is this - can you keep all your players fit?
"Big squads do help but look how we suffered by having all the defenders out.
"Teams who want to do well need a good nucleus of players to work with. Then you can pick your strongest possible team every week.''
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez will check on the general fitness of his squad.
The Spaniard kept the same XI on the field for the entire 90 minutes in the Boxing Day draw at home to Blackburn but they have had a couple more days' rest than most teams.
Should Martinez decide to stiffen the midfield against the defending champions striker Jason Scotland would be the most likely to make way.
Midfielder Mohamed Diame is the only player unavailable as he recovers from a knee ligament injury.
Martinez is insisting his side have improved immeasurably since they last met United.
On that occasion, back on August 22, the Latics conceded five having held the defending Barclays Premier League champions at bay for 56 minutes.
Martinez always stressed the result did not do his side justice and believes they are much better equipped to cope with United.
"We all know the 5-0 defeat was not a clear reflection of the performance, when I was very pleased for 60 minutes,'' said the Spaniard. "We are a different team to the one in the first half of the season.
"Physically we are a lot stronger, the partnerships are there, the players have a clearer understanding and we can change things around a bit.
"There is still a long way to go because we are very thin on numbers and the way we want to play we need to have that extra support.''

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