After pressurising the Reds for most of the match, Latics suffered heartbreak again as an own goal gave United a very fortunate win.

It was only a week after a heavy defeat in the Carling Cup final, but Latics had to face the fifteen times English champions once more in the Premiership. Goalkeeper John Filan made his first Premiership appearance since the league defeat to Arsenal in November, whilst Ruud Van Nistelrooy had to settle for a place on the substitutes bench for the second consecutive week.

Latics had gone seven games without a win, and the odds of that run being stretched to eight looked almost certain. United have already beaten Latics 4-0 twice this season, and manager Paul Jewell suffered the same scoreline twice at former club Bradford six years ago. United had won four games on the trot and will looking to get back into second place.

Jewell's men started positively against the Reds and they didn't seemed daunted by the fact they were heavily beaten by them the previous weekend. De Zeeuw picked up an early yellow card in the fifth minute for a challenge on Cristiano Ronaldo.

Jason Roberts had his shirt pulled by his marker, but referee Bennett decided to use the advantage as Henri Camara put a through ball to Gary Teale, but the Scot skewed his shot with a clear view of the target.

Chimbonda clattered into Park to give away a free kick in the tenth minute, and Ronaldo's fiercly struck set piece just skimmed Filan's crossbar.

Moments later, Camara's low cross flashed across the face of goal, and it was just too far for Roberts to apply the finishing touch.

Leighton Baines' throw-in was headed back to the left back by Scharner, and he produced a tremendous cross from the wing which Gary Teale volleyed just over the bar.

In the 18th minute Gary Neville gave away a needless corner after going under pressure by Camara. Bullard's corner was directed to the far post and it was eventually headed on to Roberts, but Van Der Sar made the save.

For much of the first half Latics looked totally confident and seemed so determined to show United just what they were capable of. Latics had another chance as Lee McCulloch drilled a shot past the far post in the 26th minute.

Wigan continued to pressure and their best opportunity came in the 34th minute. Pascal Chimbonda's deep cross was headed down by McCulloch, and the ball fell to Camara, whose shot from the edge of the box just rolled past Van Der Sar's post, with the Dutch goalkeeper well beaten.

Kavanagh also gave Van Der Sar concern when he drilled a ball held up by Roberts from twenty-five yards, and it shaved the bar.

Half-Time: Latics 0 - 0 Manchester United

Manchester United were the first to threaten after the restart. Gary N eville crossed from the right flank, but Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo headed over the bar, without threatening Filan.

The Reds were beginning to take the game by the scruff of the neck as the tempo slowed down and Paul Scharner received a booking after a challenge on Louis Saha leaving both Latics central defenders just a card away from a sending off.

But then in the 60th minute Wes Brown needlessly gave the ball away to concede the corner. Jimmy Bullard's set piece was headed towards the target by De Zeeuw, but it was cleared off the line by Giggs. But defender Paul SCHARNER was there to tap home the rebound to give Latics a precious lead.

Latics went on the counter attack immediately and Jimmy Bullard cut back to Roberts, but the strikers' low shot was straight at Edwin Van Der Sar.

The match heated up even further, and when Scharner strode out of defence with the ball he was brought down with a reckless challenge by Giggs. Referee Steve Bennett instantly showed him the yellow card in the 71st minute.

At this point, Sir Alex Ferguson must have been getting worried. He replaced South Korean Ji-Sung Park for top scorer Ruud Van Nistelrooy.

And it wasn't long before the Dutchman made an impact and got United back on level terms through Cristiano RONALDO. The Portuguese winger easily side footed home from Van Nistelrooy's low cross with sixteen minutes remaining.

Despite the frustration of conceding, Latics kept working and in the 83rd minute Arjan De Zeeuw saw his headed ball from Bullard's corner go just over Van Der Sar's crossbar.

But once again Latics suffered heartbreak again in frustrating circumstances. Ronaldo crossed the ball into the box to Louis Saha, whose shot hit the bar. Pascal Chimbonda tracked back and couldn't prevent the ball going over the line to concede the own goal.

Make no mistake, United left the JJB Stadium feeling very fortunate. Tonight Latics produced a performance every Wiganer will be proud of, but it's a shame they don't have any points to show for it.

Full-Time: Latics 1 - 2 Manchester United

Latics Starting Line-Up: Filan, Chimbonda, Baines, De Zeeuw ©, Scharner, Teale, Bullard, Kavanagh, McCulloch (Ziegler 89), Camara, Roberts.

Unused Substitutes: Walsh, Jackson, Thompson, Johansson.

Manchester United Starting Line-Up: Van Der Sar, Neville, Silvestre (Evra 84), Ferdinand, Brown, Ronaldo, O'Shea, Park (Van Nistelrooy 71), Giggs, Saha, Rooney.

Unused Substitutes: Howard, Vidic, Richardson.

Referee: Steve Bennett (Kent)