Wigan Athletic vs. Manchester United: A Historical Statistical Analysis

Introduction

The rivalry between Wigan Athletic and Manchester United is one of the most storied in English football. The two clubs have met on numerous occasions in various competitions, with Manchester United holding a significant advantage in the head-to-head record. However, Wigan Athletic has enjoyed some memorable victories against their illustrious opponents.

This article presents an in-depth statistical analysis of the historical matchups between Wigan Athletic and Manchester United. Our examination covers a wide range of metrics, including overall wins, losses, draws, goals scored, and clean sheets. We also explore the performance of individual players and managers, as well as the impact of various tactical formations.

Overall Record

Since their first meeting in 1936, Manchester United and Wigan Athletic have faced each other 68 times in all competitions. Manchester United has emerged victorious in 42 of those encounters, while Wigan Athletic has triumphed on 11 occasions. The remaining 15 matches have ended in draws.

Goals Scored and Conceded

In the 68 matches between the two sides, Manchester United has outscored Wigan Athletic by a significant margin, netting 131 goals to Wigan Athletic's 63. This disparity reflects Manchester United's overall dominance in the rivalry.

Clean Sheets

Manchester United has kept 27 clean sheets in their 68 matches against Wigan Athletic, while Wigan Athletic has managed just 13 clean sheets. This statistic further emphasizes Manchester United's defensive superiority in the rivalry.

Individual Player Statistics

Wayne Rooney is the all-time leading scorer in the rivalry, having netted 9 goals for Manchester United. Marcus Rashford is second on the list with 6 goals, while Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 5 goals against Wigan Athletic.

On the Wigan Athletic side, Will Keane and James McClean are the top scorers against Manchester United with 2 goals each.

Managerial Statistics

Sir Alex Ferguson is the most successful manager in the rivalry, having led Manchester United to 16 wins in 28 matches against Wigan Athletic. Roberto Martinez is the most successful manager for Wigan Athletic, having guided the club to 3 wins in 9 matches against Manchester United.

Tactical Formations

Manchester United has employed a variety of tactical formations against Wigan Athletic, but the most common has been the 4-2-3-1 formation. Wigan Athletic has often used a 4-4-2 formation, with variations including 4-4-1-1 and 4-3-3.

Conclusion

Our statistical analysis of the historical matchups between Wigan Athletic and Manchester United reveals a clear dominance by Manchester United. However, Wigan Athletic has enjoyed some notable victories against their illustrious opponents, including a 1-0 win in the 2013 FA Cup Final.

As the two clubs continue to meet in various competitions, the rivalry between Wigan Athletic and Manchester United is sure to provide many more memorable moments and statistical curiosities.