Manchester United vs. Wigan Athletic: Preview, Prediction, Start Time and More

After a two week break, the English Premier League resumes again with Manchester United taking on Wigan Athletic in Week 4 of the domestic competition.

Both clubs have started the new year relatively strong, with United currently sitting in fifth position and Wigan in ninth, having both won and lost matches already this year.

Manchester United are a formidable force at Old Trafford, with few clubs boasting the ability to knock off the Red Devils when they are playing at home. Their squad is starting to find its groove and while they are still suffering some injuries, players are beginning to return and make this one of the strongest squads in the Premier League.

This match is a great opportunity for the Red Devils to pick up all three points, and a match they should probably win. Wigan Athletic have shown they can create chances on the breakaway this season, but they face a serious step up in class when they take on Sir Alex Ferguson's men at home.

Will United march on to its third straight victory, or are Wigan set to stun the hosts in one of the biggest upsets of the year?

Read on to find all the details, predictions and more for this match.

When: Saturday, September 15

Start Time: 10 a.m. ET

Where: Old Trafford (Manchester United)

Key Question: Can Wigan's defense stop Robin van Persie?

After making a big money move from Arsenal to Manchester United over the summer transfer window, the pressure and expectation on Robin van Persie to perform this season were quite high. Yet through his first few matches for the Red Devils, the Dutch international has been nothing short of superb.

Van Persie netted an excellent volley against Fulham and then chalked up a hat-trick against Southampton—a tally that should really have been four goals had he netted the penalty earlier in the match. 

His combination with Shinji Kagawa behind him as well as Ashley Young and Antonio Valencia on the wings has been very promising so far for United, and Wigan will have a very tough time keeping the trio away from assisting Van Persie in this one.

With Wayne Rooney likely to miss this one due to injury, the 29-year-old striker will assume the responsibility as the No. 1 striker—a role that he flourished in last time out.

Wigan are yet to concede a goal on the road this season, but you get the feeling that after this match, that statistic might well have changed.

Latest Team News

The latest team news heading into this one seems to be all about Manchester United and all about injuries, with several Red Devils players either carrying injuries, returning from injuries or missing the match due to injury.

Wayne Rooney is most likely still two weeks away from returning (per Physio Room), while both  Kagawa and Van Persie will carry niggling injuries into this match, however, neither injury is expected to hamper their play.

Kagawa pulled out of a Japanese international match with a back injury, though he is expected to be fine for this match (per Goal). Van Persie also picked up an injury playing for his country—a thigh strain that shouldn't keep him out of the Red Devils lineup (per Goal). 

Rafael Da Silva will start at right-back once more, with England international Phil Jones ruled out for six weeks with a knee injury that will require surgery (per Goal).

Alexander Buttner could also receive his first Premier League start at the expense of Patrice Evra, according to The Daily Mail.

What They're Saying

Manchester United winger Ashley Young has hailed the performance and talent that fellow Red Devil Antonio Valencia possess—stating that the Ecuadorian "has it all."

Per The Daily Mail:

"

Last season he had everything.

He attacks, he defends, he can shoot, he can cross, he can pass...he has it all and that’s why he scooped up everything at the end-of-season awards. It’s why the players voted for him and it’s why the fans voted for him.

He’s fantastic to play with. Antonio, like every other player, knows how to look after himself as well – he knows what to eat, what to drink and he works closely with our fitness coaches.

"

Wigan coach Roberto Martinez, however, is more concerned with United's latest attacking weapon—Robin van Persie—stating that while he is in full praise for the Dutch international, he is trying to stop him from having too much of an impact on Saturday.

Per Wigan Observer, via Click Lancashire:

"

We all know what level Robin van Persie is at. What he did with Arsenal – not many players can reach that level

Obviously he went to Manchester United, and you’re expecting him to take a little bit of time to settle in. But he proves everyone wrong with a phenomenal display against Southampton.

"

Three Key Numbers

2. Manchester United have lost just two of their past 41 matches at Old Trafford in the English Premier League, winning 36 of those matches.

6. Van Persie has scored four goals on just six shots this season.

7. The Red Devils have played Wigan Athletic seven times at Old Trafford in their respective Premier League histories. Manchester United have won all seven matches.

Statistics courtesy of Eurosport.

Prediction

It's very hard to see anything other than a Manchester United victory here at home against Wigan Athletic—their squad and side is simply too strong and too talented to be beaten by Roberto Martinez's men in this one.

Having said that, I'm fairly sure that's what I said when the two sides met last year in the Premier League when the Lactics stunned Manchester United 1-0, so I'm a little more cautious when I say that this time around.

That defeat last season will serve as a reminder for the Red Devils not to take this match too flippantly, and with early goals to Antonio Valencia and Robin van Persie, United will enter halftime in a commanding position this time around.

Rafael will make it three just after halftime, with Van Persie converting a late penalty to finish off the match with a commanding 4-0 scoreline.

Final Score: Manchester United 4, Wigan Athletic 0

What do you think will happen in the Manchester United vs. Wigan match?

Comment below or hit me up on Twitter:  Follow @dantalintyre