MANCHESTER, England - Veteran midfielder Paul Scholes scored on his
700th appearance for Manchester United before Alexander Buttner and Nick
Powell grabbed debut goals in a 4-0 victory over Wigan on Saturday,
lifting them to second place in the English Premier League.
All of United's goals came in the second half,
with Scholes' close-range strike in the 52nd minute — his 163rd for the
club — sparking the sluggish hosts into life at Old Trafford.
Mexico striker Javier Hernandez made it 2-0 before
Buttner, the Dutch left back, scored from an acute angle and fellow
summer signing Powell, a youngster signed from third-tier Crewe
Alexandra, marked their first games for United with goals in a third
straight league win.
Hernandez had a penalty saved in the fifth
minute by Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi after strike partner Danny
Welbeck fell theatrically in the area, a tumble heavily criticized by
visiting manager Roberto Martinez.
"The decision for the penalty was shocking,"
Martinez said. "I am not bothered about the scoreline, I will take
responsibility for that, but it is difficult to come to Old Trafford and
have a referee who gets affected by the occasion."
Wigan was comfortable in the first half and
could easily have taken the lead when Arouna Kone fluffed a chance with
the goal at his mercy. But the visitors were overrun after the break
with gaps opening up in their defence as they came forward after Scholes
broke the deadlock.
"We had to start all over again after the
missed penalty," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "They slowed the
game down a lot, but we weren't playing at the speed we play at.
"The second half we did after becoming more
aggressive and played some penetrating football. Wigan play a system
which is difficult to play against. It is a good result."
On the 37-year-old Scholes, who tapped in after
Al-Habsi parried out a cross from Nani, Ferguson added: "That is what
we always remember about Paul, the way he ghosts into the penalty box.
"Now he has scored on his 100th, 300th, 400th, 500th and 700th appearance. It is fantastic."
United started with striker Robin van Persie on
the bench, saving the Dutchman's energy for the Champions League
starting next week when Galatasaray come to Old Trafford. Ferguson said
left back Patrice Evra missed the match through injury, giving Buttner
his first start.
