Sir Alex: Defeat Was Deserved

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Wigan Athletic were worthy winners after the Latics recorded a shock 1-0 win over United on Wednesday night.

The below-par Reds produced a disappointing performance at the DW Stadium, where Shaun Maloney’s second-half goal was enough to seal a crucial win for the relegation-threatened Latics.

The result lifts Roberto Martinez’s men out of the drop-zone and reduces United’s lead at the top to five points, after Manchester City beat West Brom at the Etihad Stadium.

“It was a disappointing performance throughout the game,” Sir Alex told MUTV. “We didn’t reach the levels that we have in the last few months so I think we got what we deserved.

“Wigan are a good team and they are very underrated. The position they’re in is false - they have been playing some of the best football in the league. They play with three centre-backs which gives them time on the ball and it was very difficult to stop their early possession.

“We decided to put three midfielders up against them in the second half and I think we were better to a degree, but we didn’t deserve to win the game so I have no complaints.”

There were two big decisions made by the match officials. In the first half, Victor Moses’ goal was disallowed for a foul on David De Gea; in the second period, with Wigan leading 1-0, United's penalty appeals were turned down when Phil Jones’ cross clearly struck the hand of Maynor Figueroa.

“He (De Gea) was pushed in the net, that was obvious and the linesman saw that one," said Sir Alex, reflecting on the call which denied Wigan a half-time lead.

"He [the same linesman] didn’t see the clear penalty kick in the second half however. It was a clear handball, but as I say, sometimes you get the decisions and sometimes you don’t.

“We got a break on Sunday with the first goal but tonight we didn’t get one. It evens itself out over a season and my experience of these things says it happens, so you just have to expect it.”