Man Utd v Wigan: Red Devils rout as standard in this fixture

Wigan should be wary of Manchester United backlash at Old Trafford after the Latics’ 1-0 win towards the end of last season played a key role in securing Manchester City’s maiden Premier League title win.

The Red Devils are as short as 2/9 to claim their third win on the bounce, with Ladbrokes considering the home win a formality. It’s easy to see why.

In eight league and cup visits to Old Trafford, Wigan have been on the receiving end of eight defeats, in that time they’ve conceded 28 goals and only troubled the scorers the once; a dismal record by a pub team’s standards, let alone a Premier League club.

So, with a United win all but guaranteed, the question is: how many are they going to win by?

Alex Ferguson’s men have racked up three 4-0 wins, as well as two 5-0 wins, in recent home ties with Wigan and, with the 19-time English champions missing out on their twentieth crown on goal difference last term, expect them to go for the jugular in this one.

They can be backed at 18/1 to dish out a 5-0 spanking for the second season running and, although this would normally be an outlandish outcome to tip up, that price looks pretty generous when weighing up Wigan’s run in the red half of Manchester.

At 10/1, 4-0 United is not worth backing, but a price of 9/2 for the hosts to remain unhindered by a three goal handicap offers potential for value.

With a Man United rout seemingly on the cards, 5/6 for one or neither side to score is looking good and a home win to nil is mouth-watering at 6/5.

These relatively long odds are inspired by United’s failure to keep a clean sheet in three outings but, after a two-week break to drill their defence, this is probably the best bet of the lot.

All odds and markets correct as of publication