Premier League preview: Manchester United v Wigan

Manchester United will look to build on their title push with a Boxing Day bounty when they host Wigan at Old Trafford on Monday.

United have bounced back from their Champions League exit in emphatic fashion, winning their last three English Premier League matches – the latest of which, on Wednesday, was a 5-0 hammering of Fulham at Craven Cottage.

The champions sit just two points behind arch-rivals and league leaders Manchester City in second place and face a team they have not lost to in 13 attempts.

Roberto Martinez’s men have taken nine points from their last six games after losing eight-successive top flight matches, with their latest efforts consecutive draws to Liverpool and Chelsea.

The run sees Wigan just one point shy of safety, when all looked lost 11 matches into the season.

Alex Ferguson has been given the all-clear to include Phil Jones in his squad. X-rays revealed the teenager did not suffer a broken cheekbone when he was caught by Clint Dempsey in the first half at Fulham on Wednesday.

And ahead of their visit, Ferguson said he admired the style of Martinez’s Wigan.

“I watched Wigan versus Chelsea the other day and I thought Wigan were terrific. It says a lot for Roberto Martinez – he continues to play good football irrespective of what position they’re in,” Ferguson said.

“We have a good record against Wigan but we won’t take anything for granted. We need to keep our foot on the pedal.”

Martinez will no doubt be tempted to stick with the same side which has gone unbeaten in the last three but may be forced into changes, with defender Steve Gohouri (flu) and striker Hugo Rodallega (soreness) no certainties.

Rodallega picked up a heavy knock during Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea but played against Liverpool on Wednesday, while James McCarthy is also expected to be available despite also suffering a knock against Liverpool.

Aside from Wigan’s desperately poor record against United, the side has a renewed confidence about them and are starting to hit their peak form of the season.

But United were rampant against Fulham and are a frightful proposition at Old Trafford for the lesser clubs, which only adds to the spice of this fixture.