Carrick strike puts United within reach of title
Carrick's winner put United on the brink of another league title
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Wednesday, 13, May 2009 10:58
Michael Carrick's winner against Wigan Athletic has put Manchester United within touching distance of the Premier League title after their 2-1 win at the JJB Stadium.
Carrick scored in the 87th minute to complete United's second-half comeback that was started by substitute Carlos Tevez.
The Argentinean again proved why he is so valuable to United with an exquisite flick through his legs to equalise Hugo Rodallega goal for Wigan midway through the first half.
The Latics gave United some real problems during the match and signalled their intent straight away as Antonio Valencia burst clear of Nemanja Vidic but failed to find the target with his shot.
Dimitar Berbatov created United's first chance for Wayne Rooney but he also fired wide.
Soon after that Ronaldo crossed for Carrick but the midfielder could not get on top of his header and it went over the crossbar.
The Latics took the lead when Lee Cattermole sent a long ball up to lone striker Rodallega. He challenged Vidic in the air and got the better of the defender.
As the Serbian lay helpless on the floor Rodallega was left all alone in the United box to fire past Edwin van der Sar.
The game was wide open and United were soon up the other end bearing down on the Wigan goal but again they missed the target. This time Rooney was the guilty party, sending Ronaldo's cross over the bar from eight yards out.
Rodallega nearly made it 2-0 just before the break. Cattermole and Valencia combined to play him in but Rodallega strike went past the post.
United needed to conjure some inspiration from somewhere and they found it in the shape of Tevez, who came on after 57 minutes to replace Anderson.
Within four minutes the Argentinean got on the scoresheet. Carrick miscued a shot but the ball cannoned into Tevez, the striker controlled the ball on the turn and deftly flicked it past Wigan goalkeeper Richard Kingson to make it 1-1.
United pushed hard in the closing 30 minutes in search of a winner as Wigan dropped deeper and deeper.
Ronaldo thought he had earned his side a penalty when Maynor Figueroa brought him down but the referee waved away their claims for a spot-kick.
Just as Wigan looked like they might hang on for a point Carrick wrapped the game up for the visitors
Ronaldo played in John O'Shea down the right flank, the Irishman squared the ball across the edge of the box to Carrick who slotted the ball into the top corner with his left foot.
United now need just one point in their game at Old Trafford against Arsenal on Saturday to retain their Premier League crown.