Manchester United brushed aside Wigan at Old Trafford as they smashed the Latics for five for the second time this season.

It was another masterclass from Wayne Rooney that helped the Red Devils to the emphatic 5-0 win as they closed the gap on Chelsea at the top of the Premier League.

The Champions were utterly dominant in Wednesday evening's Old Trafford encounter and they took the lead just before the half-hour mark when Rooney scored his 15th goal of the season to put the hosts on their way.

Michael Carrick was the next to get his name on the scoresheet as he tucked home his third goal of the season before Rafael da Silva added a third just before half-time.

Dimitar Berbatov continued the romp within minutes of the restart before the star of the night Antonio Valencia wrapped up the win with a fifth 15 minutes from time.

United are now two points within Carlo Ancelotti's Blues while the Latics, who seem ill-equipped to survive a relegation scrap, drop to 16th on goal difference.