Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher admits they needed Edwin van der Sar to be at his best to defeat Wigan Athletic.
United won 4-0 at the DW.
But Fletcher told MUTV: "It was a difficult game and we knew it would be.
"Wigan play open, expansive football. They have a go at you and have a lot of pace in attacking areas. Edwin van der Sar had to make three fantastic saves in the first half to keep us in the game.
"We knew the longer the game went on our quality would shine through. We were endeavouring to get Chicharito in behind the defence so he could use his pace and that's what happened. Wigan always attack, from the first minute to the last minute, and maybe that's their downfall sometimes. But that's the way their manager believes they should play and it means when you play against them you have to be wary at the back.
"But you also know that if you defend well then you can get chances on the counter-attack."
