WAYNE Rooney could return to the Manchester United starting line-up for the Boxing Day clash with Wigan at Old Trafford.
The England striker was left out of the first X1 for Saturday's 3-0 win at Aston Villa after a family bereavement but Sir Alex Ferguson is also mindful of keeping his forwards fresh.
Ferguson has to decide whether to give Ji-Sung Park a second start in 72 hours after returning to the side at Villa after a lengthy lay-off with an ankle problem.
Midfielder Michael Carrick's ankle injury is not as serious as first feared and he will be available to face Reading next weekend.
United will be looking to carry on their fine form from the Villa game. Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed a brace and goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar has been impressed with the winger this season.
Van der Sar said: éCristiano is getting better and better. He is still only young but he is more mature now as a footballer.
éHe has loads of qualities with the ball but is more aware now in terms of his positional play, the runs he can make, the other players who make runs for him, and of creating space for other players.
éI think it is his most productive season so far. he is scoring more goals and delivering more crosses. He has been excellent for us.é
Wigan manager Paul Jewell has no fresh injury worries to contend with for the game.
But with seven players sidelined, Jewell is severely limited in being able to freshen up his side.
Henri Camara, Andy Webster, Antonio Valencia, Paul Scharner, Steve McMillan and Ryan Taylor are all injured, while Lee McCulloch serves the second game of a three-match ban.
Manchester United (from): Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Scholes, Fletcher, Park, Saha, Giggs, Kuszczak, Brown, Rooney, O'Shea, Silvestre, Heinze, Solskjaer, Richardson.
Wigan Athletic (from): Kirkland, Jackson, Hall, Kilbane, Cywka, Johansson, Landzaat, Heskey, Boyce, Cotterill, Skoko, Baines, De Zeeuw, Wright, Todorov, Teale, Pollitt.
Last season: United 4 Wigan 0
Key opponent: Emile Heskey - His two goals against Chelsea were a reminder of his ability
Prediction: United 2 Wigan 0 - Wigan will no doubt play with spirit but the Reds should be too strong for them
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Scholes and Vidic are suspended. Lets go with VDS, Nev, Rio, Brown (though I recon SAF will go with Silvestre), Evra. MF R-L: Ronaldo, Fletcher, Giggs (cm), Park. FW: Rooney, Saha. Don't think we need our midfield enforcer O'Shea against Wigan at OT, let's get 2-0 up then bring him on with 20 minutes to go.
Does anybody really believe we would sell Gabby and pick up Bales. These rumours tick me off. Maybe Gabby really does have some injury problems that we are not aware off. He seems to have lost something then again we didn't have Evra last year.
I think we will pick up Barton and City will swap Richards for SWP in the dumbest trade of the year. Chelsea need a right back and Moremoney likes him so stay tuned. Robben again rescued Chelsea and is the best left winger in the Prem.
Should see some moves pretty soon.
united to lose at home against wigan and chelsea to sit on top of the table by winning against reading.
Scholes is suspended, Vidic is suspended and Carrick is injured. Fergie will have to go with Brown and Giggs and Fletcher as the midfield partnership and play Ronaldo wide left and Park wide right. Ronaldo, Park and Rooney can all switch around ayway so it's not too important which position they are in; they won't stay there all game.
Actually, Heinze can play at cb instead of Brown and Evra can slot in at left back.
hope rooneys back in the first squad soon,really looking forward to wigan @ old trafford my prediction is 3-1 man utd giggs 1st goal as ryan hasnt scored for a few games now,i think he'll have something to prove to he';s team mates
Heskey is on fire and will pulverise the reds. The show pony will not shine in this match he is up against tough guys. Wigan2 United1.
Aren't Vidic and Scholes suspended today?