Who needs a full Saturday afternoon of Premier League fixtures when you have the Rooney, Ronaldo and Tevez show?

Alex Ferguson said it was only a matter of time before the goals flooded in and he was right as his Manchester United side let loose, scoring four times in the second half to crush Wigan 4-0.

But as Red Issue pointed out there’s no better tonic to sooth United’s goal shyness “than the appearance of Wigan Athletic as opponents”.

The champions had uncharacteristically won six of their last seven matches by one goal to nil, but had knocked 23 past the Lancastrian neighbours in their last six meetings. Put simply Red Rants said the goals had been “a long time coming”.

There are worries for United with Louis Saha (knee), Nemanja Vidic (concussion) and John O’Shea (dead leg) all picking up injuries but more concern will have registered with Premier League defences given the glorious link up play from the homes side’s thrilling trio.

Is this then a warning sign that United have re-acquired their scoring prowess of last season? And will many, if any, defences be able to deal with Rooney, Ronaldo and Tevez in full flight?

And who else out there felt a bit lonely at 3 pm when only one game kicked off? (Villa beating West Ham 1-0 incidentally).

Certainly the Sky Sports afternoon team felt the pinch when Scunthorpe’s 3-1 home defeat to Watford was one of their featured studio games…

Padraic Halpin, London

PHOTO: Manchester United’s Cristiano Ronaldo scores against Wigan Athletic during their English Premier League soccer match at Old Trafford in Manchester, northern England, October 6, 2007. REUTERS/Nigel Roddis.