Wigan Athletic 1 Manchester United 2: Michael Carrick set up a probable Manchester United title party at Old Trafford on Saturday with an 87th-minute winner to sink Wigan. Carrick sealed another comeback win when he drove home John O'Shea's pass, leaving United a point away from completing a hat-trick of Premier League triumphs.

Only once during Alex Ferguson's 10 previous successes have United done it in front of their own fans. Now all they must do is avoid defeat against Arsenal to render a last-day trip to Hull, for the Red Devils at least, meaningless.

If Carrick was the match-winner, Carlos Tevez was again the hero, producing an impudent back-heel minutes after his introduction as a substitute to peg the Latics back.

Steve Bruce's men gave their all after taking a deserved first-half lead through Hugo Rodallega. But the Wigan boss knows more than most, Manchester United are not beaten that easily.

With the momentum continuing to favour Wigan, Ferguson introduced Tevez just before the hour - the South American having been left out, proving whatever else his one-man demonstration at Old Trafford on Sunday achieved, it did not influence team selection.

Where Tevez can leave a genuine impression is on the field. And, just as on Sunday, his timing was perfect, diverting Carrick's low shot into the net with a deliberate flick of his heel.

The glee on the Argentinian's face was at odds with that of a man desperate to leave Old Trafford, the urgency of Ronaldo's demands for him to get back for the restart at odds with the attitude of a man whose mind has already drifted elsewhere.

And how many times do United score important goals late on? In their world, 10 minutes is an eternity. Carrick needed only seven.