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Featured Sport News

United surge set to continue

Author: Sir David Smith
Date: 12/05/2009

Manchester United's march towards a third consecutive Premier League title is likely to take one of its final steps at Wigan Athletic on Wednesday evening.

Online betting experts make United odds on to claim the title, and they need to secure four points from their remaining three games to retain their crown and finally dash Liverpool's hopes of a first league success in two decades.

Wigan seem like perfect opponents at the present time, with the Latics having slumped in form in recent weeks, as their hopes of securing a top-seven finish have vanished.

Steve Bruce's side have picked up just one point from their last five games, but will be boosted by the fact that they lost narrowly 1-0 at Old Trafford earlier in the campaign.

Paul Scharner recovered from a knee injury to feature in the 3-1 weekend reverse at rock-bottom West Bromwich Albion, which also came at the cost of injuries to two key players.

Goalkeeper Chris Kirkland suffered a recurrence of a long-standing back problem and had to be replaced by Richard Kingson, who stands by to deputise against United.

Meanwhile, loan striker Amr Zaki sustained a knee injury which could have ended his season-long loan spell with the Latics a few games early and, with Mido (shoulder) also sidelined, Hugo Rodallega will get another chance to impress.

The Colombian scored his first goal in English football at the weekend and has impressed Bruce with his all-round contribution since his arrival in January.

While Wigan continue to stutter, United have hit top form at just the right moment, winning eight of their nine league games since their shock 2-0 defeat at Fulham in mid-March.

Their latest success saw them brush aside Manchester City 2-0 in a rather limp derby encounter, enlivened only by Cristiano Ronaldo's petulant reaction to being substituted.

The Portuguese forward has excelled in recent games, scoring six times in his last six outings, with manager Sir Alex Ferguson not overly worried by the player's mini-tantrum.

He said after the game on Sunday: "It's great that he wanted to play on. It's fabulous, but I have to look at the big picture.

"He produced an incredible performance against Arsenal on Tuesday, he ran his socks off. Now I have Wednesday and Saturday to look after. There's no problem."

Ferguson has already confirmed that he will make changes from the weekend victory to keep his team fresh, with Rio Ferdinand unlikely to be risked as he continues to be troubled by a rib injury.

The likes of Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick could be handed starts in midfield, while Wayne Rooney will be hoping to begin the game after starting on the bench against City.

Whatever team Ferguson does decide to select, they will go into the game knowing that they have won all eight previous meetings of the two sides.

A repeat of that would set up a coronation date with Arsenal at the weekend.

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