Manchester United against Wigan Athletic

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.

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.

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.

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.

Teale finds Camara with a cross from the right, but his header lacks direction and flies well wide of Van der Sar's post.

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.

Wigan, for all their pressing and heart since that United goal-blitz, look very dejected at the moment.

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.

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.

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.

De Zeeuw does well to deal with a deflected Neville cross; United are flooding forward with suitable freedom and confidence.

Wigan are still pressing and getting players forward when they have the ball; they will be desperate for a goal.

UNITED SUB: Ronaldo is replaced by Richardson. The winger looks disappointed as he is substituted, but he has played very well this afternoon.

Baines needs some treatment from the physio after a clash of heads in midfield.

WIGAN SUB: Kavanagh is replaced by Ziegler. The on-loan Tottenham midfielder comes on to give the Wigan midfield a little more energy.

Saha is off-side as he is picked out by Rooney's long ball forward.

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.

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.

Baines is worked in to space down the left, but his cross towards Camara is picked out of the air by Van der Sar.

Those three goals in the space of 16 second-half minutes have really killed this match; Wigan, though, to their credit, are battling on; they don't want to be humiliated.

Wigan launch a quick counter-attack; Teale sprints down the right, and chips a cross over to Baines, who had made a lung-bursting run through the middle. The full-back attempts to drop the ball in to the run of Roberts, but his touch is too heavy and the ball runs out.

Giggs seems to have a quiet word in the ear of Ronaldo, admonishing him for his showboating. It does show a certain lack of respect when you start juggling the ball for no reason.

Ronaldo is booed for ball juggling in the centre-circle; no doubt feeling a little disrespected, Roberts comes flying in and fouls the young United winger.

ROONEY FOR A HAT-TRICK! Saha feeds Rooney, through on goal and set for a hat-trick, but instead of putting his foot through the ball, he attempts to chip Filan and the ball drifts wide.

WIGAN SUB! Henchoz is replaced by McCulloch. An attacking change from Jewell, although at 4-0, it seems a little late.

GOAL! Rooney makes it 4-0 as Rooney gets on the end of Ferdinand's knock-down to tuck past Filan from five yards out.

Ronaldo looks full of confidence now; he breaks down the right, taking three Wigan defenders with him, before drawing a foul from Bullard with a neat trick.

Ronaldo is booked by the referee for taking his shirt off during his goal celebration.

GOAL! Henchoz's loose clearance is hit straight at Saha; the Frenchman feeds Ronaldo, who fires a low shot past Filan to seal the match.

GREAT KEEPING! Teale gets to the by-line and chips in a good cross; Van der Sar is under immense pressure from Roberts, but recovers to punch over his own crossbar.

How will Wigan respond to that second goal; they face an enormous test of character now, although they do, at least, now have nothing to lose.

Saha was selected ahead of United's leading scorer, Van Nistelrooy, and has justified his place with what could prove to be the killer goal for his side.

Chimbonda allowed Saha to run free of him at the back post; it was poor marking from the French full-back, and Wigan have paid the penalty.

GOAL! Ronaldo feeds Neville down the right; the United skipper fires over a good low cross, Saha's first shot is brilliantly saved by Filan, but the striker bundles home the rebound.

The Wigan fans are really getting behind their side now; they have made the better start to the second half as they search for this equaliser.

Ronaldo is furious as the referee rules that he fouled Teale as the two challenged for a ball inside the United half. It looked tough on the United man.

Wigan win a corner as Camara tries to turn Brown, who can only put the ball behind. Great stuff from Wigan.

Scharner breaks through the middle and slides a pass in to the path of Teale, but his attempted cross to the back post is charged down by Ferdinand.

Wigan need to get Roberts on the ball as much as possible; he is their real dangerman, and capable of unsettling Ferdinand and Brown.

SHOT! Roberts shows great strength to hold off Ferdinand, but his shot from a tight angle is well saved by Van der Sar. Great work from the powerful striker.

United have a good spell of possession inside the Wigan hald, but Jewell's men are well organised and are able to snuff out the danger.

...The ball is worked to Baines, but his shot is blocked inside the area.

Wigan win a free-kick after Neville tugged on Roberts' shirt. A good chance to get a shot on goal...

Successive shots from Scharner and Camara are blocked on the edge of the United area. A positive start from Wigan.

United, undoubtedly, have the stronger bench; they can call on Van Nistelrooy and Richardson, should any of the stars out on the pitch begin to tire.

Only once in the last four years have United lost to another English side after going in front; that is the size of the task facing Wigan in the second half.

United kick off the second half; no changes at the break.

HALF-TIME: A good, open half of attacking football from both sides. United have had the better chances and probably deserve to lead; much work to do for Wigan in the second 45.

De Zeeuw, I'm told, was shown a yellow card a moment ago for the challenge in the centre-circle that required him to take some treatment.

Bullard is bundled off the ball by Giggs in midfield; free-kick.

There will be three minutes of added time at the end of this first half.

De Zeeuw needs some treatment after a collision inside the centre-circle; he's a brave lad, and is soon on his feet again.

A long clearance from Kavanagh causes panic from Ferdinand; Roberts sprints on to the ball and sends over a very good cross, but Brown makes a super defensive header inside his own six-yard box.

Baines steals the ball from Neville, deep inside the United half; he sends over a low cross, and Silvestre needs to be alert to clear at the back post, with Teale lurking dangerously behind him.

A handball from Ronaldo eases the pressure on Wigan; Jewell's men need a spell of decent possession to get their confidence back up again.

Roberts and Camara have caused Ferdinand and Brown a few problems at times in this first half, but they need better service than their getting at the moment.

OVER! Camara gets on a loose ball, 25 yards out, but his right-foot shot is blasted high over Van der Sar's crossbar. Poor effort.

Rooney has never won a winner's medal at senior level, but his first-half strike has given him and his team-mates a great chance of securing the first major trophy of the season.

The pace of the game has, inevitably, slowed a little after what was an incredible start; I think both sides will be happy to see half-time.

O'Shea shows good defensive awareness to track Roberts' run to the near post and clear Baines' cross out for a throw.

...EASY! Bullard's right-foot shot is on target, but easily saved by Van der Sar.

Wigan win a free-kick, 35 yards out, dead centre; Bullard stands over the ball, lining up a shot...

United, in fairness, probably deserve to be a goal-up; they made the better start, and have looked dangerous every time they have gone forward.

OOOH! Giggs breaks down the left, crosses in to the middle, but Rooney's shot from eight yards is easily saved by Filan.

Chimbonda and De Zeeuw rather got in each other's way as they tried to tackle Rooney, 30 yards out; the England striker took advantage of their slip and calmly slotted past the keeper.

GOAL! Rooney muscles his way through challenges before tucking a neat finish past Filan from the edge of the penalty area.

United are having much more of the possession, and a lot of it is in the Wigan half; but Wigan look quite dangerous on the counter, and they are defending reasonably well so far.

Surprisingly, United have only won this trophy once in their history, against Nottingham Forest, 14 years ago.

Rooney almost finds Park with a good ball inside Chimbonda, but Filan is out of his goal quickly to collect.

Kavanagh plays a big part for Wigan; he just sits in midfield, knitting things together and urging his team-mates forward with short, positive passes.

Jewell is very animated on the Wigan touchline; he will be pleased with the start that his side has made, although the space that Giggs and Rooney are finding will surely concern him.

Baines can't quite keep the ball in play at the end of a promising Wigan passing move.

Wigan will be relieved that they have withstood the whirlwind start that United made; Paul Jewell's men are really warming to their task.

...The Portuguese star goes for goal, but his shot drifts a few yards wide of Filan's goal. Not the best effort from the United youngster.

De Zeeuw is finally penalised for a foul on Saha, 35 yards out. Ronaldo stands over the ball, looking menacing...

Saha again goes to ground in a tussle with De Zeeuw; again, the referee sees nothing. Saha is furious, and has words with his marker.

Scharner fires in another shot for Wigan, though this time he can't test Van der Sar in the United goal.

GOOD EFFORT! Bullard swaps a pass with Baines before unleashing a swerving low drive from 30 yards, though Van der Sar is down quickly to save.

A sloppy pass from O'Shea concedes possession back to Wigan; a throw, on the half-way line.

The first twenty minutes have flown by; it really has been a great start.

AWFUL! Rooney skips past a couple of challenges before pulling the ball back to Ronaldo, but his attempted shot from 10 yards is horribly mis-cued, and Wigan clear.

Teale is seeing a lot of the ball down the Wigan right; if he can get some decent service in to Roberts and Camara, Wigan could get some joy this afternoon.

Saha goes down right on the edge of the Wigan penalty area after a clumsy challenge from De Zeeuw, but the referee dismisses claims for a free-kick.

Roberts and Camara break through the middle, but Camara's cross is poor and easily claimed by Van der Sar.

Filan has a couple of early touches, to settle his nerves. He can't of expected to feature in the game at all, never mind so early.

What a great start to this game; it's open, being played at great pace, and both sides look committed to open, attacking football.

WIGAN SUB: Filan replaces Pollit; a sad end to the game for Pollit, who suffered a pulled hamstring in the first five minutes. But Filan is an able deputy, and will do his best for the underdogs.

SAVE! Pollit gets down well, despite his injury, to save Saha's shot at the near post. Brave, from the veteran keeper.

SHOT! Camara collects a loose ball, 30 yards out, but his shot is deflected and is easily claimed by Van der Sar.

United launch a swift counter attack, but although Saha finds the ball at his feet inside the area, he can't turn and get his shot away.

...He takes it short to Roberts, gets it back and sends over a dangerous cross but Brown clears.

Roberts shows good strength to hold off Brown and win his side their first corner of the match. Bullard stands over the ball...

Pollit has signalled to the bench; it seems he wants to come off; he is really struggling with that hamstring injury he picked up in the opening minutes.

United have started this match much stronger than their opponents; they are finding a lot of space in midfield, and their passing has been crisp and accurate in these early minutes.

Ronaldo shows good pace to chase down a long ball down the right, but his cross is a little too strong for Rooney and Saha, waiting in the middle.

There is a great atmosphere inside the stadium this afternoon; both sets of fans are really up for this game.

HEADER! Rooney plants a header goalwards, but sees it comeback off the post. Great start to this game, from both sides.

ALMOST! Stunning control from Rooney takes him past Chimbonda and in to the penalty area, but Saha just can't get on the end of his fiercely-struck cross.

A mistake by Silvestre hands Wigan a throw, deep in their own half. Pollit still looks troubled by that hamstring; it would be a disasterous start for Wigan to lose their keeper so early.

Paul Jewell looks very concerned as play gets back underway; Pollit still isn't moving freely, though he does manage to clear the ball from his hands without too much difficulty.

John Filan is preparing himself on the sidelines, but Pollit is back on his feet, if a little gingerly.

Pollit looks to have injured his hamstring as he went to collect a ball inside his area. He needs some treatment, but it doesn't look good for the Wigan keeper.

The roof is closed on the Millennium Stadium this afternoon, which has helped keep out the cold. The pitch is in superb condition - we're set for a classic Cardiff final.

CHANCE! Teale does excellently to get down the right wing; he sends over a good cross to the near post, but Roberts heads wide of the near post.

Ronaldo is caught off-side as he picks up Rooney's flick from a United throw-in.

The underdogs are in their traditional blue and white shirts; United in the red home strip.

Wigan kick off the biggest match in their history.

Ruud van Nistelrooy has been dumped on the bench by Sir Alex Ferguson, who pairs Wayne Rooney with Louis Saha up front.

Hi, I'm Alex; welcome to ESPN Soccernet's coverage of the Carling Cup final, between Manchester United and Wigan.

Saha is off-side as he is picked out by Rooney's long ball forward.

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.

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.

Baines is worked in to space down the left, but his cross towards Camara is picked out of the air by Van der Sar.

Those three goals in the space of 16 second-half minutes have really killed this match; Wigan, though, to their credit, are battling on; they don't want to be humiliated.

Wigan launch a quick counter-attack; Teale sprints down the right, and chips a cross over to Baines, who had made a lung-bursting run through the middle. The full-back attempts to drop the ball in to the run of Roberts, but his touch is too heavy and the ball runs out.

Giggs seems to have a quiet word in the ear of Ronaldo, admonishing him for his showboating. It does show a certain lack of respect when you start juggling the ball for no reason.

Ronaldo is booed for ball juggling in the centre-circle; no doubt feeling a little disrespected, Roberts comes flying in and fouls the young United winger.

ROONEY FOR A HAT-TRICK! Saha feeds Rooney, through on goal and set for a hat-trick, but instead of putting his foot through the ball, he attempts to chip Filan and the ball drifts wide.

WIGAN SUB! Henchoz is replaced by McCulloch. An attacking change from Jewell, although at 4-0, it seems a little late.

GOAL! Rooney makes it 4-0 as Rooney gets on the end of Ferdinand's knock-down to tuck past Filan from five yards out.

Ronaldo looks full of confidence now; he breaks down the right, taking three Wigan defenders with him, before drawing a foul from Bullard with a neat trick.

Ronaldo is booked by the referee for taking his shirt off during his goal celebration.

GOAL! Henchoz's loose clearance is hit straight at Saha; the Frenchman feeds Ronaldo, who fires a low shot past Filan to seal the match.

GREAT KEEPING! Teale gets to the by-line and chips in a good cross; Van der Sar is under immense pressure from Roberts, but recovers to punch over his own crossbar.

How will Wigan respond to that second goal; they face an enormous test of character now, although they do, at least, now have nothing to lose.

Saha was selected ahead of United's leading scorer, Van Nistelrooy, and has justified his place with what could prove to be the killer goal for his side.

Chimbonda allowed Saha to run free of him at the back post; it was poor marking from the French full-back, and Wigan have paid the penalty.

GOAL! Ronaldo feeds Neville down the right; the United skipper fires over a good low cross, Saha's first shot is brilliantly saved by Filan, but the striker bundles home the rebound.

The Wigan fans are really getting behind their side now; they have made the better start to the second half as they search for this equaliser.

Ronaldo is furious as the referee rules that he fouled Teale as the two challenged for a ball inside the United half. It looked tough on the United man.

Wigan win a corner as Camara tries to turn Brown, who can only put the ball behind. Great stuff from Wigan.

Scharner breaks through the middle and slides a pass in to the path of Teale, but his attempted cross to the back post is charged down by Ferdinand.

Wigan need to get Roberts on the ball as much as possible; he is their real dangerman, and capable of unsettling Ferdinand and Brown.

SHOT! Roberts shows great strength to hold off Ferdinand, but his shot from a tight angle is well saved by Van der Sar. Great work from the powerful striker.

United have a good spell of possession inside the Wigan hald, but Jewell's men are well organised and are able to snuff out the danger.

...The ball is worked to Baines, but his shot is blocked inside the area.

Wigan win a free-kick after Neville tugged on Roberts' shirt. A good chance to get a shot on goal...

Successive shots from Scharner and Camara are blocked on the edge of the United area. A positive start from Wigan.

United, undoubtedly, have the stronger bench; they can call on Van Nistelrooy and Richardson, should any of the stars out on the pitch begin to tire.

Only once in the last four years have United lost to another English side after going in front; that is the size of the task facing Wigan in the second half.

United kick off the second half; no changes at the break.

HALF-TIME: A good, open half of attacking football from both sides. United have had the better chances and probably deserve to lead; much work to do for Wigan in the second 45.

De Zeeuw, I'm told, was shown a yellow card a moment ago for the challenge in the centre-circle that required him to take some treatment.

Bullard is bundled off the ball by Giggs in midfield; free-kick.

There will be three minutes of added time at the end of this first half.

De Zeeuw needs some treatment after a collision inside the centre-circle; he's a brave lad, and is soon on his feet again.

A long clearance from Kavanagh causes panic from Ferdinand; Roberts sprints on to the ball and sends over a very good cross, but Brown makes a super defensive header inside his own six-yard box.

Baines steals the ball from Neville, deep inside the United half; he sends over a low cross, and Silvestre needs to be alert to clear at the back post, with Teale lurking dangerously behind him.

A handball from Ronaldo eases the pressure on Wigan; Jewell's men need a spell of decent possession to get their confidence back up again.

Roberts and Camara have caused Ferdinand and Brown a few problems at times in this first half, but they need better service than their getting at the moment.

OVER! Camara gets on a loose ball, 25 yards out, but his right-foot shot is blasted high over Van der Sar's crossbar. Poor effort.

Rooney has never won a winner's medal at senior level, but his first-half strike has given him and his team-mates a great chance of securing the first major trophy of the season.

The pace of the game has, inevitably, slowed a little after what was an incredible start; I think both sides will be happy to see half-time.

O'Shea shows good defensive awareness to track Roberts' run to the near post and clear Baines' cross out for a throw.

...EASY! Bullard's right-foot shot is on target, but easily saved by Van der Sar.

Wigan win a free-kick, 35 yards out, dead centre; Bullard stands over the ball, lining up a shot...

United, in fairness, probably deserve to be a goal-up; they made the better start, and have looked dangerous every time they have gone forward.

OOOH! Giggs breaks down the left, crosses in to the middle, but Rooney's shot from eight yards is easily saved by Filan.

Chimbonda and De Zeeuw rather got in each other's way as they tried to tackle Rooney, 30 yards out; the England striker took advantage of their slip and calmly slotted past the keeper.

GOAL! Rooney muscles his way through challenges before tucking a neat finish past Filan from the edge of the penalty area.

United are having much more of the possession, and a lot of it is in the Wigan half; but Wigan look quite dangerous on the counter, and they are defending reasonably well so far.

Surprisingly, United have only won this trophy once in their history, against Nottingham Forest, 14 years ago.

Rooney almost finds Park with a good ball inside Chimbonda, but Filan is out of his goal quickly to collect.

Kavanagh plays a big part for Wigan; he just sits in midfield, knitting things together and urging his team-mates forward with short, positive passes.

Jewell is very animated on the Wigan touchline; he will be pleased with the start that his side has made, although the space that Giggs and Rooney are finding will surely concern him.

Baines can't quite keep the ball in play at the end of a promising Wigan passing move.

Wigan will be relieved that they have withstood the whirlwind start that United made; Paul Jewell's men are really warming to their task.

...The Portuguese star goes for goal, but his shot drifts a few yards wide of Filan's goal. Not the best effort from the United youngster.

De Zeeuw is finally penalised for a foul on Saha, 35 yards out. Ronaldo stands over the ball, looking menacing...

Saha again goes to ground in a tussle with De Zeeuw; again, the referee sees nothing. Saha is furious, and has words with his marker.

Scharner fires in another shot for Wigan, though this time he can't test Van der Sar in the United goal.

GOOD EFFORT! Bullard swaps a pass with Baines before unleashing a swerving low drive from 30 yards, though Van der Sar is down quickly to save.

A sloppy pass from O'Shea concedes possession back to Wigan; a throw, on the half-way line.

The first twenty minutes have flown by; it really has been a great start.

AWFUL! Rooney skips past a couple of challenges before pulling the ball back to Ronaldo, but his attempted shot from 10 yards is horribly mis-cued, and Wigan clear.

Teale is seeing a lot of the ball down the Wigan right; if he can get some decent service in to Roberts and Camara, Wigan could get some joy this afternoon.

Saha goes down right on the edge of the Wigan penalty area after a clumsy challenge from De Zeeuw, but the referee dismisses claims for a free-kick.

Roberts and Camara break through the middle, but Camara's cross is poor and easily claimed by Van der Sar.

Filan has a couple of early touches, to settle his nerves. He can't of expected to feature in the game at all, never mind so early.

What a great start to this game; it's open, being played at great pace, and both sides look committed to open, attacking football.

WIGAN SUB: Filan replaces Pollit; a sad end to the game for Pollit, who suffered a pulled hamstring in the first five minutes. But Filan is an able deputy, and will do his best for the underdogs.

SAVE! Pollit gets down well, despite his injury, to save Saha's shot at the near post. Brave, from the veteran keeper.

SHOT! Camara collects a loose ball, 30 yards out, but his shot is deflected and is easily claimed by Van der Sar.

United launch a swift counter attack, but although Saha finds the ball at his feet inside the area, he can't turn and get his shot away.

...He takes it short to Roberts, gets it back and sends over a dangerous cross but Brown clears.

Roberts shows good strength to hold off Brown and win his side their first corner of the match. Bullard stands over the ball...

Pollit has signalled to the bench; it seems he wants to come off; he is really struggling with that hamstring injury he picked up in the opening minutes.

United have started this match much stronger than their opponents; they are finding a lot of space in midfield, and their passing has been crisp and accurate in these early minutes.

Ronaldo shows good pace to chase down a long ball down the right, but his cross is a little too strong for Rooney and Saha, waiting in the middle.

There is a great atmosphere inside the stadium this afternoon; both sets of fans are really up for this game.

HEADER! Rooney plants a header goalwards, but sees it comeback off the post. Great start to this game, from both sides.

ALMOST! Stunning control from Rooney takes him past Chimbonda and in to the penalty area, but Saha just can't get on the end of his fiercely-struck cross.

A mistake by Silvestre hands Wigan a throw, deep in their own half. Pollit still looks troubled by that hamstring; it would be a disasterous start for Wigan to lose their keeper so early.

Paul Jewell looks very concerned as play gets back underway; Pollit still isn't moving freely, though he does manage to clear the ball from his hands without too much difficulty.

John Filan is preparing himself on the sidelines, but Pollit is back on his feet, if a little gingerly.

Pollit looks to have injured his hamstring as he went to collect a ball inside his area. He needs some treatment, but it doesn't look good for the Wigan keeper.

The roof is closed on the Millennium Stadium this afternoon, which has helped keep out the cold. The pitch is in superb condition - we're set for a classic Cardiff final.

CHANCE! Teale does excellently to get down the right wing; he sends over a good cross to the near post, but Roberts heads wide of the near post.

Ronaldo is caught off-side as he picks up Rooney's flick from a United throw-in.

The underdogs are in their traditional blue and white shirts; United in the red home strip.

Wigan kick off the biggest match in their history.

Ruud van Nistelrooy has been dumped on the bench by Sir Alex Ferguson, who pairs Wayne Rooney with Louis Saha up front.

Hi, I'm Alex; welcome to ESPN Soccernet's coverage of the Carling Cup final, between Manchester United and Wigan.