ALEX FERGUSON admitted he will enjoy his 68th birthday today after Wayne Rooney inspired a five-goal knees-up.
Manchester United moved within two points and two goals of Chelsea and boss Fergie said: "I'll enjoy my birthday, don't worry about that.
"It was an excellent performance and I'm very, very pleased.
"I think the first 45 minutes were the best we have seen this season, the fluid movement and tempo of the game were terrific."
Rooney opened the scoring with his 15th goal of the season - his seventh in as many games - as United hammered neighbours Wigan 5-0 for the second time this season.
And the England strike star, 24, vowed to beat his Old Trafford best of 23.
Ferguson added: "Rooney was excellent again tonight, the energy he shows in his game and the desire to win. But on this particular night the whole team played well.
"You never know, goal difference could be important come the end of the season."
Rooney said: "We went into the game knowing we were seven goals behind Chelsea and we wanted to close the gap.
"Could I beat 23? I hope so. If I don't get nine goals between now and the end of the season, something is seriously wrong."
Roberto Martinez, whose Latics were beaten 9-1 at Spurs last month, must have feared a repeat.
He said: "We made it too easy. We never played like a team and were too naive."
United, meanwhile, must battle it out with Milan and Juventus if they want to sign Serb midfield star Gojko Kacar, 22, from Hertha Berlin.
FABIO CAPELLO has warned Alex Ferguson that Manchester United are no longer a "war machine".
And the England boss has virtually guaranteed United old boy David Beckham a World Cup spot.
Beckham, 34, rejoined AC Milan yesterday for a second loan spell from LA Galaxy and faces United in the first knockout stage of this season's Champions League.
The former England captain was met by a driver from AC Milan in an official car but opted to get behind the wheel himself as he smiled and waved to photographers and waiting fans.
And he received a lift from England boss Capello who backed him to shine in Milan before heading to South Africa with England for next summer's World Cup finals.
Capello said: "David will do well at Milan again - he is a player with his head screwed on as far as football is concerned and he'll help them succeed.
"I've no doubt about that and I'll take him to the World Cup at the end of the season so long as he is fit and playing regularly.
"I don't look at the birthdate on a player's passport, age is not the primary concern. I always judge on quality and David has tons.
"He is serious about his game, he's a top-class professional and cares a great deal about this World Cup."
Capello had more bad news for Ferguson by suggesting that United could be pipped to a fourth straight Premier League title come May.
The Italian reckons they are losing power at the wrong time, saying: "Manchester United were a war machine but they have started to slow down a bit compared to previously.
"At this moment I'd rate all the top four - Chelsea, United, Arsenal and Aston Villa - as each having a 25 per cent chance of winning the title, it's that close.
"I also think Manchester City and Liverpool will improve in the second half of the season but the top four share equal chances of winning. It will be a very beautiful title race."
Capello, who led Milan to Champions League glory in 1994, expects an English team to make the final again this season but believes they could well face Italian opposition.
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He added: "The English clubs and Italian clubs are at the same level right now.
"But after the African Cup of Nations and other fixtures in the next four or five weeks, who goes forward will depend on the shape each side is in when the knockout ties arrive in February.
"I'm sure an English club will play in the Champions League final but against whom let's just wait and see."
The man who has led three different clubs to the Serie A title is also loving the fact Italian football is in vogue in the Premier League again with new Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini joining West Ham's Gianfranco Zola and Carlo Ancelotti at Chelsea.
But he is not surprised, saying: "We export good products.
"Italian coaches don't just come for the salaries, we bring ideas, talent and experience.
"But in England you live well, there is a special atmosphere, full stadia, safety for players and fans and there is less stupidity than in Italy."
DAVID BECKHAM insists he will not celebrate if he scores against Manchester United in the Champions League - although he may burst into tears!
AC Milan's new loan star admits he almost wept with joy when he heard his temporary club would be facing his old one in the next round of Europe's elite competition.
Beckham supported United as a kid and played 394 games for them - scoring 85 goals - before leaving Old Trafford for Real Madrid in 2003.
This will be the first time he has played against Alex Ferguson's troops and he said: "If I score I will not celebrate.
"I would love to score but I definitely wouldn't celebrate.
"I know that sometimes when it's a big occasion you don't think, so you can never tell what will happen.
"But I am telling you I wouldn't want to celebrate."
The Sun was the only British newspaper present as Beckham was reintroduced to a select gathering of the local and national media here in Milan yesterday.
The England midfielder, 34, has rejoined AC on a six-month loan from LA Galaxy in a bid to seal his place in Fabio Capello's squad for next summer's World Cup finals in South Africa.
And what promises to be a momentous year for old Goldenballs features a dream Champions League double-header against his beloved Red Devils.
Becks will welcome his former club to the San Siro on Tuesday, February 16, for the first leg of their last-16 showdown.
He will then make what is bound to be an emotional return to the place where it all began for him when the return leg takes place at Old Trafford on Wednesday, March 10.
Despite growing up in east London, Beckham was a United fan as a lad - and still is today.
After beginning his career with the club, he helped them to six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and, of course, that memorable Champions League crown in 1999.
Now he will bid to end their hopes of trying to win this year's competition.
But he admitted: "When I first heard about the tie I almost cried.
"I was asleep in bed in LA when I got a message at 3am telling me we had drawn United.
"I can't tell you what my reply was! But the draw was a great surprise.
"I'm quite an emotional person and as soon as I heard I would be going back to Manchester United as an AC Milan player I became very emotional because it is such a special place for me.
"I've got a great rapport with the fans, the staff there and the manager.
"It was the club I always wanted to play for and it is my dream club.
MILAN MAN ... David Beckham
"I still miss being a United player. I haven't been back to Old Trafford since I left nearly seven years ago and I miss it every day.
"This will be the first time - and to go back with AC Milan makes it even more special.
"It will be a very special occasion for me. But the biggest thing is that I am going back with AC Milan.
"It will be a special night, but it's business. It's difficult for me to think about knocking out United.
"But I won't like it if we lose, so I'm going to have to be professional."
And Beckham scoffed at claims his old team will be there for the taking after selling superstar Portuguese winger Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid for a world-record £80million last summer.
Becks said: "When you lose someone like Cristiano, you lose a lot - not only on the pitch but in the dressing room as well.
"But I wouldn't say they are weaker because they've still got great players in their squad.
"It's the same when any great player leaves a club like Manchester United, AC Milan or Real Madrid - the club moves on."
So Becks cannot wait to face his old pals.
And the Old Trafford regulars may even see their former hero playing in an unfamiliar role.
Reports in the Italian media claim Milan boss Leonardo has been trying out the Three Lions midfielder as a right-back.
Becks, always the diplomat, would only say: "I've played lots of positions in training, even goalkeeper.
"I realise I have spent almost my entire career in midfield, but there are a number of positions I could play in.
"I am sure Leonardo will know the best position in which to play me."
