Dale triumphed 4-1 thanks to Ian Henderson’s double and strikes from Scott Tanser and Calvin Andrew as teen star Callum Camps pulled the strings in midfield, helping to move the club up to fifth in League One.

Wigan are still searching for their first three points in 2015 and have only won once in their last twelve games as they prepare to welcome Blackburn Rovers.

Despite differing opinions among fans at the time of his appointment, the former Celtic man’s time at the helm has been largely promising.

Despite controlling much of the proceedings at Old Trafford, United failed to register a single shot on target, with Dusan Tadic’s well-taken effort enough to secure victory for Ronald Koeman’s high-flying Saints.

With Chelsea overcoming a stubborn Newcastle side at Stamford Bridge, the result leaves City two points behind ahead of the top two sides’ meeting in three weeks’ time.

A gruelling three games in six days over Christmas/New Year, highlighting strengths and exposing weaknesses in any squad, showed up United despite Louis van Gaal’s big ambitions at the club.

Calvin Andrew’s injury-time header ensured Dale ran out 2-1 winners in a contest badly affected by a sub-standard playing surface.

Bolton received one of the draws of round four of the FA Cup when they were picked to challenge the Liverpool at Anfield, but Lennon is refusing to get lost in the FA Cup dream with upcoming Championship fixtures more crucial to the club’s season.

Former Barcelona ‘keeper Victor Valdes joined United this week having trained with Louis van Gaal’s side since October after leaving the Catalan giants in June last year.

Oldham have built the North West’s first outdoor futsal centre and with it will surely come fresh initiatives to encourage team spirit among children as England seeks to breed a generation of winners to match 1966.

As news breaks of Oldham Athletic’s ‘imminent signing’ of convicted rapist Ched Evans, an MM reporter explores the negative societal implications of his return to football.