Preview: Wigan Athletic Vs Manchester United

Jewell is 16-0 down on aggregate against United

Wigan manager Paul Jewell admitted that the mauling at the hands of United in the Carling Cup was hard to take, and that it has been difficult to get over for him and his players.

"It's been difficult, losing a cup final, it's not easy." He added: "It's taken us longer, it's certainly taken me longer, and the players i think, a couple of days longer than we thought, but we've got to get it out of our system quickly."

However he was quick to pay tribute to his squad's character: "They're such a great bunch of players, such an upbeat bunch of players. But we've got to get back on track."

And for Jewell, Monday is another chance to end his United Jynx. In his managerial career, Jewell has played United four times, twice with Bradford, and lost 4-0 everytime.

Looking back at his record, Jewell admitted his aggrivation: "Im bloody fed up with losing 4-0 to Manchester United; i'm 16-0 down on aggregate"

Monday is Jewell's best chance yet of at least scoring past United. Although Mike Pollitt joins Ryan Taylor on the injured list, David Thompson is back in contention and Lee Mchulloch's fitness has improved.

If Wigan are to beat United, certain areas of the team will need to be revised. Bullard operated on the left of midfield in the last game, a position almost alien to him.

Defence is another area that jewell must get right. Stephan Henchoz has

Henchoz: Poor performances of late could see him dropped

been dodgy to say the least of late, and many are calling for him to be replaced by Paul Scharner, meaning Bullard can move back into the centre and one of Thompson, Mchulloch, Ziegler and Johansson can play on the left.

United's injuries show no signs of clearing up. Along with Alan Smith, Quinton Fortune, Paul Scholes and Gabriel Heinze, Van Nistelrooy is almost certain to miss out again. Although United made a mockery of our defence without the Holland international.

Sir Alex has also hinted that young striker Giuseppis Rossi will begiven more first team action, and seeing as United have beaten Wigan convincingly twice, he could be tempted to throw him in: "I hope to give Giuseppe Rossi more chances, because he's the future of the club, a sensational prospect, and we want to encourage him."

Ones to Watch

It's the same as last week. Wonder boy Wayne Rooney will have to be tightly guarded if there's any chance of winning, and Baines will have to be at his best to hault a rejuvinated Christiano Ronaldo.

Pundits Predictions

Mark Lawrenson has gone for a 2-0 United victory, stating Wigan will have to be at their very best to beat Wigan's more industrious rivals.

My Predictions

I went for a 2-1 victory last week, saying we had to cut off United's midfield, something we did very well i thought, only to be thwarted by terrible defending and the quality of United's front two. This time, im going to give two predictions, one with my blue tinted specs on, and one as if i was a neutral.

Heart Says: Wigan 1 United 1

Head says: United 2 Wigan 1