Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher returns to the squad for the visit of Wigan after 10 months out with a serious bowel problem.
Robin van Persie and Shinji Kagawa were injured on international duty but are expected to be available, while Wayne Rooney (gashed leg) is still out and Ashley Young (knee) is doubtful.
Wigan may be without Jean Beausejour (hamstring) and Antolin Alcaraz.
Midfielder James McArthur should be fit despite nursing a back injury. Fletcher, 28, has not played for United since November last year when he decided to take an extended break from football.
“Darren Fletcher is in the squad,” said manager Sir Alex Ferguson. “At this moment in time everything looks fine.”
United would ease to their 14th win 14 games against Wigan and perhaps stretch their lead over Manchester City to 11 points with five games left.
But instead City thrashed West Brom 4-0 and Shaun Maloney’s dramatic winner doomed United. The title began to slip away at that moment. City picked up 18 points from 18. United managed just 10. Their commanding lead disappeared in the last month. The title was lost. Sir Alex Ferguson will never forget it.
Up until then this game had always been a stroll for United. They’d hit 21 goals in the previous five meetings without conceding. It had always been a home banker at Old Trafford. But that’s not the case now. Sir Alex Ferguson will never forget it.
He has major injury problems. Key players are returning from gruelling World Cup qualifying trips in Latin America. He has to juggle Premier League needs with Champions League pressures. His defence looked vulnerable at Southampton in the great escape a fortnight ago.
Sir Alex Ferguson will never forget it. And he’ll never lose the hunger for revenge. He’ll always remind his players of the errors of the past and the need to ensure repeat mistakes are not made. He’s never hid behind injuries. His desire is unquenched. He is a winner.
