WIGAN ATHLETIC.................1
Baines 4

MANCHESTER UNITED.......3
Vidic 62, Saha 66, Solksjaer 90.

Latics took an early lead through a stunning Leighton Baines free kick, but the Red Devils staged a second half comeback to send Latics to a 3-1 defeat.

Wigan sensationally took the lead after just four minutes. Patrice Evra was adjudged to have handled the ball twenty-five yards from goal to concede the free kick. Leighton Baines stepped up and smashed the ball into the top corner totally beyond the reach of United goalkeeper Edwin van der Saar. It was the Wigan left-backs' second goal in a week after his impressive England U21 performance, and he continued to have an outstanding afternoon.

United were below par in the first half as they tried to pick holes in the Latics defence lacked quality in the final third, whilst Latics looked strong and resolute at the back. However, United came out stronger in the second half and scored twice within the space of four minutes to give them the advantage.

The first came on the hour when substitute Ryan Giggs saw his corner headed in by defender Nemanja Vidic, and was this was quickly followed by a Louis Saha goal when he diverted Wayne Rooney's cross in via the far post.

United then confirmed the three points right at the death as long term injury victim Ole Gunnar Solksjaer continued his own personal comeback as he coolly slotted the ball past Kirkland in stoppage time, to make the final score rather flattering for United.

It was déjà vu for Latics, who just as in last seasons corresponding fixture, produced a wholly committed performance against the Premiership leaders and deserved their half-time lead, but the visitors appeared more lively in the second half as they came back to win.

Gary Teale returned to the starting line up after his exploits with Scotland in mid-week, and he has had a quality performance. The Scot almost provided Latics with a second goal after thirteen minutes as his cross found the head of skipper Arjan De Zeeuw, but the defender headed just over the bar. Teale also went close himself when he saw his sweetly struck volley hit the side netting.

Latics produced another quality move towards the end of the first period when Emmerson Boyce crossed low for Emiley Heskey, who then laid the ball off to Paul Scharner, but the Austrian sent the ball towards the sky at the far post.

Antonio Valencia was given a run out as he replaced Teale, whilst Lee McCulloch and Svetoslav Todorov also came off the bench in the second half replacing Kevin Kilbane and Henri Camara.

As United became stronger and the second half edged towards full time, Todorov did have a clear shot on target, but the ball it was a routine save for van der Saar.

United did have had their chances to force an equaliser before they eventually scored. Half way through the first half, Wayne Rooney twisted and turned between De Zeeuw and Baines, and cracked a dangerous looking shot against Chris Kirkland's crossbar, after Michael Carrick had earlier drove his shot over the bar.

Kirkland had to be alert two minutes before the end of the first half when he had to parry Evra's shot away, which was then cleared by Fitz Hall.

The England goalkeeper also made a tremendous save to keep Latics in with a shout in the last six minutes. Giggs flicked ball over Hall before laying the ball to Saha, but the Frenchmans first time shot was well blocked by Kirkland at point blank range.

So after a brave first half performance, Latics couldn't contain United until the end. Even though it was another defeat for Jewell's men, it was certainly a performance to be proud of, and Latics should be confident ahead of next week's visit of United's near neighbours, Manchester City.

Latics Line Up: Kirkland; Boyce, Hall, De Zeeuw (c), Baines; Teale (Valencia 69), Scharner, Landzaat, Kilbane (Todorov 69); Heskey, Camara (McCulloch 59).

Substitutes: Pollitt, Jackson.

Man Utd Line Up: Van der Sar; Brown (Giggs 46), Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Solksjaer, Carrick, O'Shea, Scholes; Saha, Rooney.

Substitutes: Kuszczak, Jones, Smith, Richardson.

Booked: Brown, O'Shea.

Referee: Steve Bennett (Kent)

Assistant Referees: J. Flynn & D. C. Richards

Fourth Official: D. Gallagher

Attendance: 20,631