Boxing Day tinkering works a treat..

Having watched rivals Chelsea drop two valuable points at home to Reading, Fergie tinkered with his starting line-up in time honoured tradition by leaving out five players including; Ronaldo, Rio Ferdinand, Louis Saha, Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs.

Thankfully for the Red Devils, United's Boxing Day visitors didn't offer that much in the way of a serious threat as the home side created several excellent chances during the opening period. The best move of that 45 minute spell ended with a Rooney effort raking past Wigan keeper Kirkland's far post after a superb pass from Darren Fletcher, but Wigan held on and went into the break on level terms.

Fergie no doubt fearful of a disaster sent on United's best player of the season so far, Ronaldo, and with his first touch the Portuguese star headed the home side into the lead after he was left unmarked in front of goal from a corner. There was more to come though as United were awarded a penalty for a foul on Park. Ronaldo belted his spot-kick straight down the middle, only to see it saved, but the ball came back to the winger who didn't miss at the second time of asking. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hammered home the final nail in Wigan's coffin after Rooney put him through on goal with a flicked header. The visitors scored a late penalty consolation after a clumsy challenge by Silvestre - though it look like a bit of a dive by the wigan forward.

United rested five players and ended up increasing their lead at the top and improving their goal difference. All in all a very happy ending to a good day for United.