Sir Alex Ferguson believes that Wigan will pose a tougher test for Manchester United than Chelsea, ahead of the Red Devils' meeting with Amr Zaki's team. United overwhelmed Chelsea last Sunday, winning 3-0 at Old Trafford to edge closer towards the top of the Premiership table. However, Ferguson is aware that the European champions need to beat the in-form Wigan on Wednesday if they intend to keep pressure on leaders Liverpool. "This is the harder game for us now. It is one of our two games in hand and we have to win these games. It is a very important game for us," said the United boss. "On the back of the Chelsea game people will expect us to be at that level of performance but that was a very high level. "I haven't watched the game again but I've looked at the stats and Chelsea worked amazingly hard, which shows you the level we got to. I will have to freshen things up against Wigan, but freshen things up to win."
Fantastic Wigan Ferguson praised the current form of seventh-placed Latics, who are managed by the Scotsman's ex-employee Steve Bruce. "Wigan are on a fantastic run. They are a powerful team. I thought they would do well this year but they had a disappointing start as far as Steve Bruce is concerned," Fergie added. "I thought they would fly off from the start because there is a good age about their team, but they have certainly recovered now." United will be without key defenders Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra, as Johnny Evans and John O'Shea are tipped to deputize. Wigan hitman Zaki will be aiming to add to his 10-goal tally in the Premiership so far this term. The Egyptian has proven his big-game proficiency with a terrific double at Liverpool last October.
