Chris Smalling, Phil Jones and Rio Ferdinand were all late dropouts for the hosts but, despite a makeshift defense, the Red Devils thumped the Latics thanks to a Berbatov treble
26-Dec-2011
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has praised his side for overcoming an injury crisis to beat Wigan 5-0 in their Premier League Boxing Day encounter.
A hat trick for Dimitar Berbatov and goals from Park Ji-Sung and Antonio Valencia sealed the victory for the Red Devils, who fielded a makeshift back four, including the Ecuadorian, Michael Carrick and, later, young substitute Zeki Fryers.
A hat trick for Dimitar Berbatov and goals from Park Ji-Sung and Antonio Valencia sealed the victory for the Red Devils, who fielded a makeshift back four, including the Ecuadorian, Michael Carrick and, later, young substitute Zeki Fryers.
"The result pleases me considering the fact that we had 10 players missing today," a delighted Ferguson told Sky Sports News. "We certainly had to [show strength in depth] today. We had to stand up and be counted because it’s built up over these past few days.
Ferguson went into detail about the club's injury situation, with Rio Ferdinand a late decision.
"Chris Smalling and Phil Jones went down with illness and then Rio [Ferdinand] felt his back in training yesterday. I thought he [Ferdinand] may have been able to play – he wanted to play – but those three were missing within a matter of hours, so that was a bad blow," the veteran manager explained.
He went into further detail, saying, "We had to start thinking about the best way to formulate a back four. I was tempted to play Rafael da Silva at right back, but bearing in mind height was a factor as well as experience, so we stood by Antonio Valencia as our man."
Ferguson went into detail about the club's injury situation, with Rio Ferdinand a late decision.
"Chris Smalling and Phil Jones went down with illness and then Rio [Ferdinand] felt his back in training yesterday. I thought he [Ferdinand] may have been able to play – he wanted to play – but those three were missing within a matter of hours, so that was a bad blow," the veteran manager explained.
He went into further detail, saying, "We had to start thinking about the best way to formulate a back four. I was tempted to play Rafael da Silva at right back, but bearing in mind height was a factor as well as experience, so we stood by Antonio Valencia as our man."
Center back Jonny Evans was withdrawn at the break by Ferguson, requiring Patrice Evra to fill in alongside Carrick in the middle, a move which the Scot admitted had concerned him.
"Evans was taken off at halftime which, if we hadn’t closed the game, I would have worried about, having to play a back four that’s never in its life played together, so I’m very pleased that we got a result like that," he added.
One of the match's major talking points was the first-half sending-off of Wigan forward Conor Sammon when the score was only 1-0, with referee Phil Dowd having judged that the striker had elbowed Carrick when jostling to win the ball.
Ferguson offered some sympathy to the Latics man and conceded that the dismissal may have been harsh on the Irish striker.
"Well, he’s a big, aggressive lad and he threw a hand. I don’t think it was intentional – I think he’s caught him with a hand in the face rather than an elbow," said the veteran manager. "I think that with challenges like that, you’re taking a little bit of a risk, but it was a bit harsh – I have to say it was a bit harsh. Fortunately, Michael Carrick didn’t make a meal of it, which is good."
The win, coupled with Manchester City's 0-0 draw with West Brom, saw United catch up to its local rival's points tally at the top of the league.
"Evans was taken off at halftime which, if we hadn’t closed the game, I would have worried about, having to play a back four that’s never in its life played together, so I’m very pleased that we got a result like that," he added.
One of the match's major talking points was the first-half sending-off of Wigan forward Conor Sammon when the score was only 1-0, with referee Phil Dowd having judged that the striker had elbowed Carrick when jostling to win the ball.
Ferguson offered some sympathy to the Latics man and conceded that the dismissal may have been harsh on the Irish striker.
"Well, he’s a big, aggressive lad and he threw a hand. I don’t think it was intentional – I think he’s caught him with a hand in the face rather than an elbow," said the veteran manager. "I think that with challenges like that, you’re taking a little bit of a risk, but it was a bit harsh – I have to say it was a bit harsh. Fortunately, Michael Carrick didn’t make a meal of it, which is good."
The win, coupled with Manchester City's 0-0 draw with West Brom, saw United catch up to its local rival's points tally at the top of the league.
In www.MancgesterUnitedWebsite.blogspot.com
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