Wigan manager Roberto Martinez accused Latics of playing like
individuals in their 5-0 mauling against Manchester United at Old
Trafford.
Latics were on the receiving end of identical punishment by
the Red Devils, who managed to replicate their five-goal success at
the DW Stadium in Wednesday's Old Trafford encounter.
United ended the year in style as goals from Wayne Rooney,
Michael Carrick, Rafael da Silva, Dimitar Berbatov and Antonio
Valencia heaped more misery on a Latics side that look in big
trouble going into the second half of the season.
Their latest rout - the fifth time they have conceded four
goals or more in a game - has left Martinez questioning his side's
ability to play as a team.
"We never gave a game to United," the Spaniard told Sky
Sports. "We were extremely, extremely disappointing in all the
things we have to do to be a team.
"You come to places like Old Trafford and it's not good
enough to be good - you have to be perfect and be solid and earn
the right to express yourself and try to win the football game.
"Today we started everything the other way round and we
played like individuals and never looked like a team and when you
do that you get heavily punished.
"It has happened too many times this season and it's
unacceptable and we will have to correct it.
Another blow to Wigan was Chris Kirkland's failure to return
for the second-half. But Martinez expects his regular shot-stopper
to be fit for Saturday's FA Cup third round clash against Hull.
"It shouldn't be that serious," the Latics boss added of
Kirkland's substitution.
"I think he has been under the weather - he has had a cold
and it is something that he could not carry on but it's not a
problem at all."
