SIR Alex Ferguson has warned his players not to ruin Sunday's 3-0 victory over Chelsea by slipping up against in form Wigan tonight.

The Latics have lost only one of their last seven league matches, but the Reds must win if they are to keep closing on leaders Liverpool.

Ferguson said: "The hard work has not been done just because we have beaten Chelsea.

"This game against Wigan is a harder game for us now. But coming on the back of the Chelsea game people will expect us to reach that level of performance again.

"Sunday was a very high level of performance. I have looked at the game again and looked at all the statistics and Chelsea worked amazingly hard. It shows you the level we got to.

"This game against Wigan is a big one for us. They are on a fantastic run.

"I thought they would do well this year. They got off to a disappointing start and that was unexpected.

"I felt they would get off to a flier given the good ages in their team. It is a good balance.

"But they have recovered now. Their form is very good. We want to get this one out of the way then we can reflect on what we have to do.

"We certainly hope we are top by Saturday night. That is our aim."

Meanwhile, Ferguson hopes he can put an end to Rio Ferdinand's back problems after being sidelined since Boxing Day with a back spasm. Ferdinand visited a specialist on Monday for another consultation and scans.

The medical bulletin was positive, but the England defender will be ruled out for a further three games.

"There is no major problem with Rio's back at all and we think he should be back for the Tottenham FA Cup tie," reported Ferguson. "He will have a series of exercises to do now. That will hopefully help him."

Patrice Evra's comeback from his four-match ban was cut short when he went over on his ankle supplying Wayne Rooney with United's second goal against Chelsea.

He is now set to miss five games at least.

But the imminent return of another Moscow hero Wes Brown, plus the availability of Jonny Evans and John O'Shea, has perked Fergie up.

Brown has been out since October having had surgery to shave bone around his ankle.

But he is set to return to proper training at the end of this week.

"Wes Brown should be back in two weeks at the very most," said Ferguson. "You would want to have all your players available, particularly with the programme we have in January. But I think we can cope because we have players who can play in different positions."

Wigan manager Bruce is likely to name an unchanged side.

The 1-0 victory over Tottenham on Sunday was Wigan’s sixth success in seven league matches and Bruce is reluctant to change a winning team.

Therefore the 11 players who all played 90 minutes against Spurs will be pressed into action again as Wigan go in search of their first victory over United, having lost all seven previous meetings in league and cup matches.

Manchester United (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Neville, Rafael, Vidic, Evans, O'Shea, Ronaldo, Nani, giggs, Scholes, Fletcher, Carrick, Anderson, Gibson, Park, Possebon, Tevez, Welbeck, Berbatov, Rooney

Wigan Athletic (from): Kirkland, Melchiot, Bramble, Scharner, Figueroa, Valencia, Cattermole, Palacios, Taylor, Heskey, Zaki, Boyce, Brown, Koumas, Camara, Kilbane, Pollitt, De Ridder, Kapo.

United league form: WDWWW

Wigan league form: LWWWW

Key opponent: Antonio Valencia - attacted Real Madrid's interest and a threat down the right

Prediction: United 2 Wigan 0 - The Reds should be full of confidence after Sunday

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