FRIENDS become rivals at Old Trafford on Wednesday night when Maynor Figueroa hopes to put the shackles on Antonio Valencia.

It could be a big night for Figueroa, the highly-rated Wigan left-back, who is a transfer window target for Premier League rivals Spurs and Sunderland.

Twelve months ago, Figueroa's fellow Honduran, Wilson Palacios, was outstanding against United but left soon after to join Spurs.

Wigan bosses are naturally desperate to retain Figueroa, whose immediate concern is facing up to his good friend Valencia.

Wigan chairman Dave Whelan rates Figueroa as one of the best left-backs in the Premier League.

Wigan fans head for Old Trafford hoping this may not turn out to be Figueroa's farewell appearance.

Meanwhile, Whelan is not surprised by Valencia's impressive start to his United career.

Whelan said: "I said all along a player with Valencia's natural ability would flourish at United alongside world-class players.

"Not only is he a good player, he's a good lad and we couldn't stand in his way when the opportunity to move on arose."

Latics' boss Roberto Martinez hopes his side's second half revival against Blackburn on Boxing Day will prove to be a turning point.

He said: "In the first half, we were not up to our normal standards and we made it difficult for ourselves. In the second half, we reacted in the right way and we imposed ourselves on the opposition and created chance after chance."

Martinez plans to bolster the Latics' ranks in January. Wigan are the latest side to have cast a watchful eye over Blackpool's highly-rated Scottish midfielder Charlie Adam who has also been watched by Bolton.

Gary Neville returns to the Manchester United squad as the Reds' defensive problems continue to ease.

Neville limped out of the win at West Ham earlier this month with a groin injury but is expected to fill the right-back berth against the Latics to complete an experienced back-four.

Edwin van der Sar has been placed on compassionate leave, so Tomasz Kuszczak should continue in goal, while Paul Scholes has recovered from the hip problem that saw him miss Sunday’s trip to Hull.

Manchester United (from): Kuszczak, Foster, Neville, Rafael, De Laet, Vidic, Brown, Evra, Fabio, Valencia, Park, Carrick, Fletcher, Scholes, Anderson, Gibson, Giggs, Obertan, Rooney, Berbatov, Owen, Welbeck, Tosic.

Wigan Athletic (from): Kirkland, Bramble, Scharner, Melchiot, Boyce, Figueroa, N’Zogbia, Gomez, Thomas, Scotland, Rodallega, Amaya, De Ridder, Sinclair, Kingson, Cho, Bouaouzan, McCarthy.

United league form: WLWLW

Wigan league form: WLDLD

Key opponent: Wayne Rooney - United's driving force from the front

Prediction: United 2 Wigan 0 - it's going to be tough for the Latics with United's defenders coming back

Agree with the prediction? Have your say.

Click here for all the latest odds from Betfred.

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