At the end of a day when Liverpool’s captain, Steven Gerrard, was inexplicably voted Footballer of the Year, Manchester United showed why they are the team of the year, why they will be champions, why they are packed with players who deserve individual honours.

Fighting back from Hugo Rodallega’s shock opener, resisting the enterprise of Steve Bruce’s men, United reacted as champions do, charging forward in red waves, refusing to contemplate one dropped point, let alone three. Carlos Tevez equalised, Michael Carrick struck the winner but others merit special mentions, particularly Wayne Rooney, who gave another stirring demonstration of the art and craft of Total football.

For all the kind words of Bruce and Dave Whelan, United had known they were in for a test here. Bruce had crammed his five-man midfield with dogs of war in the centre, Lee Cattermole, Michael Brown and Paul Scharner, with whippets out wide in the flying form of Antonio Valencia and Charles N’Zogbia. Wigan players often seem to use the United fixture as a shop window, promoting their talents to potential suitors.

Bruce’s tactics certainly confused United in the first half, the blue-and-white-striped wall limiting the champions’ chances while Wigan’s counter-attacking kept United wary of over-committing themselves. A good surface made awkward by rain further unsettled Ferguson’s defence, particularly when the energetic Rodallega, resplendent in usual May-day attire of short sleeves and gloves, began running at them, leading to his shock goal just before the half-hour mark.

No wonder Bruce’s players were applauded off the pitch at the break. No wonder Sir Alex Ferguson sent his team out early for the second half. No wonder he turned to Tevez midway through the second period, such a richly-rewarding move.

Even before Rodallega’s goal delighted Wigan and Liverpool alike, Bruce’s players could have seized the lead. Within 90 seconds, Wigan could, really should have scored, following a quick right-wing break. Mario Melchiot’s throw-in was flicked on by Rodallega and the danger should have been dealt with by Jonny Evans. Not for the last time, the Irishman slipped, allowing Valencia a clear run at goal. Vidic responded, racing back after the Ecuadorean, who seemed distracted by the Serb’s thundering hoofs. Valencia’s chipped effort on goal was poor, the ball drifting wide. United escaped.

The champions were stirred into action, piecing together two fantastic moves that should have brought reward. After good approach work by Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo, Dimitar Berbatov crossed from the left, the ball arrowing perfectly to Rooney, whose header was awful, truly awful, flying harmlessly wide. Then Carrick shot off-target, wasting an excellent cross from Ronaldo.