Manchester United rout Wigan 4-0

Wayne Rooney scored twice as Manchester United eased the pressure on their manager Alex Ferguson with a overwhelming 4-0 win over Wigan at the Old Trafford on Wednesday.

Rio Ferdinand headed his first-ever goal for the club on the half hour from Ryan Giggs' accurate corner. Rooney doubled the lead with a low shot, then he hit the bar before making it 3-0 with a delicate chip over Wigan keeper Mike Pollitt. Ruud van Nistelrooy scored a penalty on 70 minutes to send Wigan crashing to their fifth successive league defeat.

The win put United second in the table, nine points behind Chelsea, and made it five wins in six Premiership matches for Ferguson.

Pollitt's brilliance seemed to be making the home fans nervous - but they were soon put at ease with a goal from the unlikeliest of sources just before the half-hour.

Ferdinand's first goal for United came in his 140th appearance, and it was a simple one as he rose to head in Giggs' corner.

Wigan's keeper was still kept busy as he came out quickly to save from Rooney after the striker was set up by Giggs.

But Rooney was soon on the scoresheet with some style.

The England international appeared to have lost control when he slipped inside the area, allowing Matt Jackson to make a challenge.

But he quickly regained his footing - and the ball - before stepping inside Leighton Baines and rifling a low left-foot shot into the net.

Wigan's chances were limited, although Alan Mahon forced an excellent diving save from Edwin van der Sar with a low drive.

United did not let up after the interval and the only surprise was that Rooney did not extend their lead on 50 minutes as he sidefooted against the bar from two yards following Gary Neville's deflected cross.

But he did not have long to wait to make amends as he latched on to Van Nistelrooy's pass to run clear and send a delicate chip past Pollitt to make it 3-0.

Van Nistelrooy added his name to scoresheet in the 70th minute from the penalty spot after the Wigan keeper felled him inside the box.

To their credit, Wigan kept pressing, and Henri Camara sent a shot of considerable power past Van der Sar's post.

But they could not grab the consolation their endeavour deserved and the Latics first-ever match against United in any competition ended in heavy defeat.

Source: Xinhua