Maloney blows open title race

Manchester United remain in control of the title race but they now know that one more slip will open the door for City after coughing up points against Wigan for the first time last night.

Alex Ferguson could accept a defeat but it was the manner of this loss that will surely concern him.

The champions were utterly outplayed and even outfought by a team that had only managed four goals and no points against them in 13 previous contests.

The outstanding Shaun Maloney scored the only goal five minutes into the second period but Wigan were unfortunate not to lead before that when Victor Moses had an effort ruled out for Gary Caldwell’s challenge on David de Gea.

United had two penalty shouts of their own in the second period but City could close the gap to two points when they head to Norwich on Saturday before United host Villa on Sunday.

After a run of 11 wins in 12 matches since a 3-0 loss at Newcastle in early January, this was a significant wake-up call ahead of the final five matches, with a trip to City to come in the third last match of the season.

But it was a night that belonged to Wigan, who moved out of the bottom three for the first time since December.

Chairman Dave Whelan said: “We totally, utterly dominated in the first half, they had a go at us in the second half but our lads fought to the death.

“On the way down to watch the game I thought our record against United had to change at some time, we played for it and got it, we got luck but we deserved it.

“We firmly believe we can stay up, Roberto has been saying that all season. We are a good team and this proves it.

“If we stay up it is worth £40million — what a goal!”

They may have gone into the game with an appalling record against the champions but Wigan dominated the opening period, with their formation proving impossible for United to cope with.

James McCarthy has endured a quieter campaign but he rampaged all over the United midfield and one clean and powerful challenge on Wayne Rooney provoked an angry exchange between the England striker and an increasingly frustrated Ferguson. That may have been at the back of the United manager’s mind when he hauled Rooney off midway through the second half.

United were effectively pinned in their own half from the start, with Michael Carrick doing well to hack clear with Franco Di Santo poised to shoot from Maloney’s cross.

Maloney’s quick free-kick helped to make the room for McCarthy to hit a stinging drive from outside the area that was tipped over by

United’s earliest threat came when Carrick guided a pass through for Ryan Giggs, whose low prod was diverted wide by Caldwell.

Moses is sure to move on this summer, even if Wigan manage to beat the drop into the Championship, and he showed why he will have no shortage of suitors when a fine twist took him past Jonny Evans, only for Rio Ferdinand to block his shot.

Maloney’s corner from the left was met with a firm header from the unmarked Moses, leaving De Gea no chance, but the celebrations were cut short when Dowd blew for a free-kick.

Ferguson threw on Tom Cleverley for Ashley Young at the start of the second period but saw his team fall behind just four minutes later.

This time it was United’s turn to seethe at the unfairness of it all with a corner being awarded against Evans despite the ball appearing to come off Jean Beausejour.

Maloney took it short once again and after scampering on to a return pass from Beausejour, he drifted past the challenge of former Wigan winger Antonio Valencia and curled a shot into the top corner.

Rooney had the first attempt to haul United level, curling over from outside the area, but he was withdrawn soon after as Ferguson attempted to salvage a lifeless performance. It was then United’s turn to appeal when substitute Danny Welbeck’s shot appeared to strike Maynor Figueroa clearly on the arm.

Wigan could have sealed it through Moses but the chances just did not come for United and when an opportunity did finally arrive, Welbeck was denied by a fine save by Ali Al Habsi.

WIGAN (3-4-2-1): Al Habsi 7; Alcaraz 6, Caldwell 7, Figueroa 7; Boyce 7, McArthur 7, McCarthy 8, Beausejour 7; Moses 7, Maloney 8 (Sammon 77, 6); Di Santo 6 (Diame 70, 6).

MANCHESTER UNITED (4-4-2): De Gea 7; Jones 6, Evans 6, Ferdinand 7, Evra 6; Valencia 6, Carrick 7, Giggs 5, Young 4 (Cleverley 46, 6); Rooney 6 (Nani 65, 6), Hernandez 5 (Welbeck 58, 6).

Referee: Phil Dowd.