WIGAN 0 MAN UTD 5

WITH nine defeats against Manchester United already, Wigan will never forget No 10.

How could they after Wayne Rooney - United's No 10 - turned in another outstanding performance.

No one could stop him after his opening goal.

Not a chance, not in this electrifying early-season form.

He was sucked towards the stands by 4,000 visiting supporters fearing another slip at the DW Stadium to celebrate his well-worked header.

That was his 100th goal in United colours and there will be another 100 or more. Guaranteed.

Rooney started this extraordinary second-half rout with a delicious header in the 56th minute and Nani's exquisite free-kick finished it.

What a response, a remarkable effort by Rooney to remind this United team that they remain world champions.

In the second half, they played like them.

Remember, they were done for when Robbie Blake's midweek winner at Turf Moor sent tremors through Old Trafford.

This time it was Rooney's turn to be off the Richter-scale as the after-shock of this majestic performance was felt all over the Premier League.

Suddenly, there are goals all over the team again, with Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen getting off the mark after an awesome second half.

United scored 119 times in all competitions last season and there were doubts whether they could repeat the trick without Cristiano Ronaldo.

They answered that question emphatically at Wigan, cuffing them aside with embarrassing ease.

Rooney got the ball rolling, charging around the pitch in the first half and controlling the game in the second. It was breathtaking.

Sure, they survived the odd scare, especially when Ben Foster brilliantly dived through the air to turn away Jason Koumas' swerving effort.

But Rooney was already wreaking havoc.

What a start to the season for the United striker, brought in from the left to play a central part in Sir Alex Ferguson's Fifth Generation team.

He was living the dream here, adding to his collection of classic goals with a beauty yesterday.

Rooney was sensational during United's pre-season, the pick of the players as they flew all over the Far East.

The roadshow rolled into town at the Community Shield with a terrific goal at Wembley against Chelsea before his side lost on penalties. Then it was Birmingham as the England man proved the difference between the two teams at Old Trafford on the opening day of the season.

This really is shaping up to be Rooney's year - he is easily the most impressive player in the country.

He was magnificent, chasing, harrying and hustling throughout.

Berbatov may have scored United's clever second but this team is built around Rooney's talent.

Ushered in from the flank in the absence of Ronaldo, he is United's main man in every sense of the word.

Now he is the heartbeat of the team, an exhibitionist thriving in the cauldron, the heat of the battle and the increased responsibility.

What a collapse by Wigan - not quite on the scale of the Aussies - calling it a day the moment Rooney put United in front.

Antonio Valencia, skirting around this game on his return to Wigan following a summer move, finally made an impact.

He caught his former playing pals cold, arrowing his cross towards the head of Rooney and he did the rest.

He rose unchallenged and directed it beautifully beyond the reach of Wigan keeper Chris Kirkland.

That was 1-0 and from then on it was a procession, with Wigan simply rolling over and allowing United to rip them apart.

Once they were off the mark, there was nothing to stop them.

Berbatov (right) tricked his way past Wigan's defence to score after 58 minutes.

Soon it was three, with Berbatov turning provider for Rooney to score his second, deflected off the shin of Wigan skipper Mario Melchiot.

They were rampant, the shackles were off and Wigan were on the floor - finished off by a blur of United goalscorers.

This was the champions at their best, destroying opposition on their own turf and turning the screw with a stirring second-half performance.

United are in their stride, looking forward to Thursday's Champions League draw and then a date with Arsenal at Old Trafford.

This was the perfect preparation, easing down on the accelerator to wipe the floor with second-class opposition.

Suddenly, Ferguson has options for Arsenal, with Owen rediscovering his goalscoring touch after coming on as a 72nd-minute replacement for Rooney.

His neat flick at the far post, reading Nani's reverse pass had the touch of devilment about it.

It could also be defining, with United's manager urging Owen to use his first goal for the club as a springboard.

There was certainly a spring in his step after he tucked the ball beyond Kirkland - the weight of the world off his shoulders.

"All strikers need to score goals but Owen is one of the best finishers England have ever produced," claimed Ferguson.

That has never been in doubt but his fitness and questions over that first yard of pace will follow him for the rest of his career.

United's manager is convinced he can score 15, a decent target for a player determined to grab a second chance.

So, too, is Nani. Having scored a quite brilliant curled effort in the Community Shield, he produced an equally impressive free-kick in the final minute here.

By then, Rooney was on the bench, taking a breather before he is thrust back into action against Arsenal next weekend.

After this, all eyes are on No 10.

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