Venue: Old Trafford Date: Wednesday, 14 January Kick-off: 2000 GMT
Coverage: Full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live sports extra, text commentary on BBC Sport website and updates on BBC Radio 5 Live
Manchester United are without Patrice Evra (foot) and fellow defenders Rio Ferdinand (back) and Wes Brown, who is nearing a return after ankle surgery.
John O'Shea is expected to come in for Evra, while Jonny Evans should continue in place of Ferdinand.
Wigan manager Steve Bruce is expected to name an unchanged side.
The Latics sealed their sixth win in seven league games with a last-minute goal against Spurs, and the 11 players who started should keep their places.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson:
"People will expect us to reach the same level of performance as Sunday again. But I have looked at all the statistics, and Chelsea worked amazingly hard - which just shows the level we got to.
"We certainly hope to be top by Saturday night. That is our aim. But it will not be easy, because Wigan are on a fantastic run.
"They are a powerful team with a good balance of ages."
Wigan manager Steve Bruce:
"They are a privilege to manage at the moment. They have the bit between their teeth and are having a right good crack at it.
"I hope they can take it into tomorrow because we are going to need it. We are in for an absolutely unbelievably tough game but one which we are looking forward to.
Bruce backs Ferguson in mind games
"It is the one where you are going to get tested to the hilt. I've witnessed teams who have been beaten before they even go there because they show far too much respect.
"You just hope our boys can play to their maximum, enjoy themselves, take them on and make sure we don't leave anything in the dressing room.
"With the run we are on at the moment I hope it is the right time. I hope we go on to the biggest stage of all and show it is not a fluke Wigan are in the top 10."
World, European and Premier League champions Manchester United could take another step towards a third successive top-flight title with victory over Wigan. Having thrashed one of their chief rivals Chelsea 3-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday, three points against the Latics would see them leapfrogged Scolari's Blues and climbing to within two points of table toppers Liverpool.
United are looking for a fourth consecutive Premier League victory, but Wigan are aiming for a fifth successive top-flight maximum.
The Old Trafford club lead the Premier League's "Last Six Current Form" table with 16 points; Wigan are third (15 points).
If the Red Devils do not concede, it will be their ninth consecutive Premier League clean sheet, and take them to within one of Chelsea's top-flight record of 10.
United have dropped fewer points than any other club, and victories over Wigan and at Bolton on Saturday will see them top the table, before Liverpool next play, home to Everton on Monday night.
Wigan have never been higher in the table under Steve Bruce, but have also never beaten any of the so-called 'Big Four'.
Sir Alex Ferguson and Bruce were born on the same day (31 December), but 19 years apart. Both were appointed to their current clubs in the same month (November), but 21 years apart. Bruce, who is 48 and returned to the helm at the JJB nearly 14 months ago, has never beaten his old boss as a manager. He has drawn two and lost nine of 11 games against Ferguson's United, when in charge of either Birmingham or Wigan, 10 of those being Premier League games.
This match pits the clubs with the biggest and smallest average gates; United average 75,400 and Wigan just 18,000.
United are defending a 100% record against Wigan, having won all six Premier League meetings.
Distance between the clubs: 24 miles (39 kilometres)
MANCHESTER UNITED
3rd 41 points
Highest achievable: 2nd
Lowest could realistically fall: 3rd
1. Lost just one of 16 in all competitions, and undefeated in all 15 this season at Old Trafford.
2. Won the last three Premier League matches, against Stoke (a), Middlesbrough (h) and Chelsea (h).
3. Unbeaten in eight league games; won six and drawn two since losing 2-1 away to Arsenal on 8 November - their only loss in 16 top-flight outings.
4. Boast the tightest defence in the Premier League. More details
5. One defeat short of 150 in league football under Sir Alex Ferguson.
6. Four points down on last term and six points on the previous season (both title-winning campaigns), but on the same 41 points mark after 19 games as in 2005-06, when they only went on to finish runners-up.
7. Not conceded in eight games, or 762 minutes (12 hours 42 minutes) of Premier League football since Samir Nasri scored Arsenal's second in the Gunners' odd goal in three home victory on 8 November.
8. Two clean sheets shy of equalling Chelsea's top-flight record run of 10, set from 12 December 2004 and broken by Norwich on 5 March 2005.
9. Won the last eight home league games, conceding goals in just one of those victories (4-3 v Hull on 1 November). Undefeated in 14 top-flight matches at the Theatre of Dreams; won 13 and drawn one (v Newcastle) since losing 1-2 against Manchester City on 10 February - their only defeat in 28 at home.
10. Won all but one of the last 16 home North-West league derbies, including the last three. The exception was the 1-2 reverse to Manchester City on 10 February 2008.
WIGAN ATHLETIC
7th 31 points
Highest achievable: 7th
Lowest could fall: 7th
1. Won the last four Premier League matches, against Blackburn (h), Newcastle (h), Bolton (a) and Tottenham (h).
2. Won six of the last seven league games, and avoided defeat in nine of 10.
3. Lost 24 of their 27 Premier League fixtures against the 'Big Four', including all three this season.
4. Not picked up a point against the quartet of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United since drawing 1-1, away to Chelsea on 14 April 2008; only managed three points from a possible 81.
5. Steve Bruce has just clocked up 50 games in charge in his second spell at the JJB. (Sir Alex have overseen 1,244 competitive matches for Manchester United.)
6. Victory would give them 34 points after 21 games and equal their best ever return in a Premier League campaign.
MANCHESTER UNITED
The newly crowned Fifa World Player of the Year, Cristiano RONALDO has scored six goals in four appearances against Wigan.
Edwin VAN DER SAR is leading the race for the Barclays Golden Glove, along with Jose REINA or Liverpool. Both have kept 12 clean sheets.
If selected:-
Ryan GIGGS will be making his 550th Premier League appearance - all for Manchester United.
Rio FERDINAND will be making his 200th Premier League appearance in United colours.
WIGAN ATHLETIC
Maynor FIGUEROA is the only remaining player to have started every one of Wigan's Premier League matches this season.
If selected:-
Titus BRAMBLE will be making his 200th career league appearance (Ipswich, Colchester, Newcastle and Wigan).
Emmerson BOYCE will be making his 100th career Premier League appearance (Crystal Palace and Wigan).
Wigan have lost all seven meetings with Manchester United in the league and Carling Cup final with an aggregate of 22-3.
The Latics have conceded more Premier League goals to United than to any other club (18).
Home and away
League (inc PL): Man United 6 wins, Wigan 0, Draws 0
Prem: Man United 6 wins, Wigan 0, Draws 0
at Man United only
League (inc PL): Man United 3 wins, Wigan 0, Draws 0
Prem: Man United 3 wins, Wigan 0, Draws 0
Manchester United 4-0 Wigan Athletic
6 October 2007 - Ref: Mike Riley
Man Utd scorers: Tevez 54, Ronaldo 59, 76, Rooney 82
Steve Bennett (Orpington, Kent)
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