Dimitar Berbatov's hat-trick against 10-man Wigan fired Manchester United level on points with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.
Ji-sung Park and Antonio Valencia scored the other goals for the Reds, whose goal difference is now just five worse than City's.
Wigan's task was made even harder at 1-0 when Conor Sammon was sent off after just 39 minutes for an elbow on Michael Carrick, although that decision appeared harsh.
If there was one game where Ferguson might not have been too alarmed to field a defence including Michael Carrick and Antonio Valencia, this was it.
Wigan had not managed so much as a draw in 13 previous meetings between the sides and the combined score from their past four encounters was 16-0.
United soon added to their tally as Patrice Evra slalomed his way into the Wigan box, then picked out Park Ji-sung with a neat cut-back.
The South Korean had enough space to pick his spot, into the top right corner, well out of Ali Al Habsi's reach.
United continued to create chances at regular intervals, with Nani, Berbatov and Darron Gibson all trying their luck.
However, Wigan were not content to play the meek visitors and with Victor Moses building on recent impressive performances and Ronnie Stam exploiting the hosts' lack of an orthodox left-sided midfield player, created just as many chances as their hosts early on.
Sammon wasted the best, turning onto David Jones' pass but drilling a shot straight at Anders Lindegaard.
The Irishman's day quickly got much worse, and any chance Wigan had disappeared.
There is no doubt Sammon's arm did end up in Carrick's face, offering referee Phil Dowd the opportunity to send him off.
However, it did appear the Wigan man was attempting to use it as a barrier to shield a bouncing ball from his opponent.
There was no malice, and very little force, behind the action and Latics chief Roberto Martinez was not on his own in believing his side had been harshly treated.
And, as good sides do, United quickly exploited the situation.
Had injury not struck him down in August, Gibson might well have moved on in the summer.
As it was, Ferguson was probably glad to have him available for this one.
The Irishman delivered a teasing cross from the right flank, which ended up with Berbatov.
Making only his second Premier League start of the season, United's record signing took some time to get the ball under control.
However, he had the strength to hold off Antolin Alcaraz and drilled his shot past Al Habsi.
The departure of Evans at half-time led to Evra becoming possibly becoming United's shortest ever central defender.
He was limping too not long afterwards, although that proved to be a false alarm. There did not seem much wrong with the Frenchman when he went straight through the back of Moses anyway.
Jones curled the free-kick narrowly wide, which turned out to be Wigan's last opportunity before United struck again.
Valencia was having a quietly effective game and his prodded pass left Berbatov with enough space and time to smash his shot beyond Al Habsi.
Having fallen so far behind Manchester City in the goal difference stakes, United sensed it was time to start making up some ground.
Valencia's excellent performance continued when he drilled his first Premier League goal of the season into the bottom left corner.
Then, after Park was chopped down in the box by Alcaraz, substitute Rooney let Berbatov finish off his hat-trick.
What is your verdict on the action? Have your say.
Manchester United 5 Wigan 0
December 26, 2011
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Can anyone please list the berties that said United will be 15 points behind city by January?
:-)
Squeky bum time indeed!
Way to go Sir Alex!
BERBAKING ON THE MARK!
great result as city only drew! it was good performance(apart from useless evans) by the team. after the sending off there was no return for poor wigan.i think city will crack under the pressure now. come on united!.
Rested most of our top players!
Won 5 - 0
City held to a draw!
I've had worse days!
5 star performance frm d devils...tym to reclaim top spot n win it all d way..title number 20 is on the way...
I could of had 10 guesses to pick today's team and i would never of come up with that selection! Another win, another clean sheet, and 5 goals!
Did Liverpool, City and Chelsea drop points today? Gutted.
At the moment we are doing just what we need to do, and that is to win games. Great performance from a line up that is in no way our strongest. Scoring five goals and not allowing any to me is the greatest aspect of the tale that was told at Old Trafford today. MOM for me was Michael Carrick. United all the way. Mark my word, we will be on top of the table come 2012.
BACK IN THE RIGHT ORDER
UNITED FIRST
city second
i think city's days as leaders will be over very soon,they simply cant handle the pressure of united chasing them.
the cream of manchester united once again rises to the top
Rooney on the bench, just as Welbeck... Jones and Rio F. not even on the bench... Carrick in defence... and Gibson on the pitch... And still 5-0 !!!!!
Fantastic !!!!!
Great to see Berba scoring 3 times again !!!
Nice Boxing Day !!!!!
By the way... Where rich (and noisy) neighbours playing ?????
Oups... At WesBrom ?????
Zeeeero !!!!!
Very nice Boxing Day !!!!!
good perfomance. 5 goals, 3 points. end of.
1 Manchester City 18 14 3 1 38 45
2 Manchester United 18 14 3 1 33 45
Five is a great number for for me - 5 Goals scored and only trailing City by five goals, yes 5! I can't recall how many goals the blue invincibles smashed against little Westbrom today? What, say that again please?
Well, well, well... United joint leaders! Isn't that strange! No...
A well deserved and a very easy victory. Nice job...
By the way did you see? No central defenders playing in their position (well only for 45 minutes), only one CM playing there, but we still crush them. That says something about United doesn't it?
Well done United - a good win today - another clean sheet - five goals bagged. Now the fun begins. A Happy New Year to all who love sport.
RED and PROUD
Ho! Ho! Ho! 3 more point's
Happy days, despite a strange team selection by SAF now level with Citeh on points.
Squeaky bum time now, lets see how the berties handle the PRESSURE.
I SEE PIE EATERS ROLLED OVER FOR YOU AS DID FULHAM !!
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ten goals in two games, level at the top going into the new year, and City's mammoth goal difference now down to 5. Blackburn and home next up, with City away at Liverpool - chances are we'll be top on points and / or goal difference come January 2nd. Given the injuries we've had this season, and our so-called deficiencies in midfield, that's quite some achievement!
City have only won three of their last six games; nerves are bound to play a part now - even the fans will be thinking there's a certain inevitability. Manchester United are the most tenacious team on the planet, and have Know-How running through their veins.
It's a two-horse race, and it will be close all the way, but I know who my money will be on!
To the game: Carrick was great yet again - everyone was, in fact (except maybe Chicarito, who was anonymous again - he has to be used as an impact sub in my opinion). So happy for Berbatov. It has to be Rooney and Berb up-front against Blackburn; with 4 goals in two games, he can't be left out! Evra had his second good game on the bounce, and a wonderful assist for the first goal. Gibson didn't do much wrong, and Park had his best game in a while. It's also great to see Valencia back on form - great strike.
And finally, hats off to Sir Alex! I can imagine Danny, Madoc and the "Expert" rubbing their hands with glee when that line-up came out - I would never have guessed it in a hundred tries: it just goes to show what outstanding depth their is in this squad, and what versatility -Carrick at Centre-back, Valencia at Right-back, Evra at Centre-back second-half, Rooney in midfield. Quite remarkable. Well done every one of them!
God help Blackburn, they're going to need it...
Well done boys . A game we would expect to win but no signs of complacency from the off . Great tempo great attitude the boys have got the bit between their teeth and players are regaining their form and look well up for the challenge . Tougher tests to come of course but we are level on points with the mercenaries , having had to deal with major injury problems that they haven`t . With players to come back from injury and key players regaining form even the negative reds who post on here would have to admit things are looking good .
Rilo
Exiled Droylsden Red
Happy for the result , happy for reducing the goal difference , but has to say something : If someone was to be sent off , it was Evans for the foul that earned him the yellow and not that foul by Sammon on Carrick . Also the foul for our penelty was not 100% inside the box . Anyway , these decisions went against us in the past specially that penelty for Newcastle . Now , Carrick , Evra and Valencia were immence in defence . Evans as shaky as ever . Nani was below par . Giggs and Park played well . Gibson was ok . Hernandez should NEVER start ( sub at most) . Berbatov was BRILLIANT and needs players with high IQ around him to gel . Oh , and LINDEGAARD is surely better than DeGea . City fans : It is back to NORMAL proceedings .
Harsh Red to Salmon I must say, changed the game completely. When I saw the team line up, with Gibson in centre mid and Carrick & Evans as centre backs I thought that would have given Wigan a massive boost, but I must admit, having criticised the team on many occasions this season and rightly so, but not just today but the last 3-4 games I've had to eat my words. But the standard of the EPL is not of a high standard imo. Well done Reds!!
city blobbed big time 'they score whenever they want'....n they shooting duck at Wba... big talk served them right...United forever ! i think united play better every year during cold...
A make shift team and we still put five past Wigan. The game was over with the sending off though. Joint top and still players to come back can't wait for the second half of the season.
What was the deal with the Wigan fans wearing yellow bananas?
Half the team out injured. And we put on a show!
Valencia, was my MOM. Berba's pen was like watching Cantona.
Great team effort. Get well soon Evans, Rio and Jones!