PLAYER RATINGS vs Wigan

David De Gea: Had little to do this afternoon, keeping a second clean sheet. Picked the ball out of the net, but only for an offside Kone effort. 7

Rafael: The returning right back picked up where he left off, bossing his wing. Going forward he buzzed and Wigan could do little to contain him. 7

Patrice Evra: Another player that got forward to Wigan’s detriment. His attempt on goal lead to United’s first. 7.5

Rio Ferdinand: Having been used sparingly over the Christmas period, Ferdinand stepped back into the team and looked classy against Wigan. Dominant without exerting himself, this was one of Rio’s easier games. 8

Jonny Evans: After looking so good against West Brom, Evans kept up his impressive form against Wigan. His ball to Evra set up our first and he did a number on Kone too, to ensure our goal remained intact. 7

Michael Carrick: Gary Neville praised the midfielder on his Sky Sports show on New Year’s Eve and you can see why. A tad more offensive in recent games, the team is benefitting from his passing range as seen today and beside Cleverley is being allowed to express himself and dictate play. 8

Tom Cleverley: Was on loan at Wigan, but Martinez will not have enjoyed seeing the 23 year old today. Energetic is a word often used to describe his style and today typified this as he kept Wigan on the back foot. Alway available for a pass and used the ball effectively when he got it. 7.5

Ashley Young: Playing on the right today, Young kept at Wigan. Doesn’t quite have the same chemistry with Rafael as he does with Evra but still made a nuisance of himself. Final ball could have been better at times. 7

Ryan Giggs: After some early season horror shows, Ryan Giggs impressed again. In a preferable left wing role, Giggs put a number of inviting balls into the box but also punched holes in the Wigan team centrally. 7

Robin Van Persie: Slowly running out of superlatives to describe United’s star striker. His first goal was a work of art, trapping the ball before shifting it onto his ‘weaker’ right foot and bending it past Al Habsi. With 19 goals so far, his strikes are proving valuable to a United side that missed out on the title on goal difference last year. 9

Javier Hernandez: Two instinctive predatory strikes from Hernandez means the Mexican has 3 goals in his last 2 games. Whilst some still feel he is better as an impact sub he is proving his worth as a starter in the side. 8

Subs

Shinji Kagawa: Came on today to get more minutes as he recovers from injury. 6

Chris Smalling: Could have seen red today for hauling down Kone as the Ivorian striker advanced on goal. Solid besides that. 6

Danny Welbeck: Given 15 minutes and had a bit about him in his cameo. Raced through on goal and felt he was brought down but the ref disagreed but after a mix up in the Wigan defence was able to put the ball on a plate for Van Persie to grab a late second and United’s 4th. 7