Manchester United vs Wigan Athletic
Who won: Man United 4-0
Manchester United beat Wigan Athletic 4-0 on Sunday, February 26, 2006 at Principality Stadium. Goals for Man United: Wayne Rooney (33', 61'), Louis Saha (55') and Cristiano Ronaldo (59').
Play by play
- 92'
The Wigan players are very gracious in defeat as they receive the comisserations of the United players.
- 92'
Ronaldo wears a T-shit offering support for injured team-mate Alan Smith, reading: "For You, Smudge." Nice touch.
- 92'
FULL-TIME: United win the first trophy of the season, and their first since May 2004. 4-0 doesn't really truly reflect the day, but United certainly deserved the win.
- 91'
Wigan fire in some late shots on goal, but they are all blocked on the edge of the area.
- 89'
SHOT! Bullard strikes a late shot a couple of yards wide of the post from 25 yards. Nothing has gone right for Wigan this afternoon.
- 88'
The Wigan fans look completely crushed; it will take a while for them to realise that simply reaching the final was a massive achievement, and that 4-0 doesn't do their side justice.
- 87'
Rooney is still showing a lot of appetite, even at this late stage and with the result settled; I bet he is rueing missing that hat-trick chance.
- 86'
Wigan have worked very hard this afternoon, but they will probably feel that they haven't really been at their best; they have allowed United too much space in midfield.
- 85'
There is a slightly surreal atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment; although both sides are still pushing forward, all the tension has been drained out of the game.
- 84'
So, no final action for Van Nistelrooy, who remains on the bench; he doesn't look very happy with his manager's decision, to say the least.
- 83'
UNITED SUBS: Evra and Vidic replace Silvestre and Brown. Brown gets a standing ovation after another outstanding performance as Ferguson gives his two new signings a taste of the action.
- 82'
Teale finds Camara with a cross from the right, but his header lacks direction and flies well wide of Van der Sar's post.
- 81'
JUST OVER! Teale spots some space in front of him and decides on a shot; his effort is well-struck, but flies a couple of yards over.
- 80'
Wigan, for all their pressing and heart since that United goal-blitz, look very dejected at the moment.
- 79'
ALMOST! Teale cuts inside and runs in to the United area; he blasts over a low cross, but no Wigan man can turn the ball in to the unguarded net.
- 78'
JUST WIDE! Rooney fires a low cross in to the middle, but Park just can't get enough on the ball as he slides in, and his effort bobbles a foot wide of the far post.
- 77'
Camara does well to turn Ferdinand inside the penalty area, but his cross is far too strong and flies over the head of the three Wigan players waiting in the middle.
- 76'
De Zeeuw does well to deal with a deflected Neville cross; United are flooding forward with suitable freedom and confidence.
- 75'
Wigan are still pressing and getting players forward when they have the ball; they will be desperate for a goal.
- 74'
UNITED SUB: Ronaldo is replaced by Richardson. The winger looks disappointed as he is substituted, but he has played very well this afternoon.
- 73'
Baines needs some treatment from the physio after a clash of heads in midfield.
- 72'
WIGAN SUB: Kavanagh is replaced by Ziegler. The on-loan Tottenham midfielder comes on to give the Wigan midfield a little more energy.
- 71'
Saha is off-side as he is picked out by Rooney's long ball forward.
- 70'
Baines claims a handball as he and Rooney challenge for a bouncing ball inside the United penalty area. The referee is having none of it.
- 69'
United have got very sloppy with their defensive work since that goal-blitz; Wigan are finding a lot of space going forward because the United players aren't tracking their markers.
