Wigan Athletic manager Roberto Martinez has blamed fatigue for his side's heavy defeat to league leaders Manchester United.
Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez each scored braces as the Latics were brushed aside at the DW Stadium on New Year's Day.
The game was Wigan's fourth top-flight match in 11 days and Martinez believes that the festive fixture list proved too much for his squad to cope with.
He said: "I did feel that we started well, and in many aspects of our performance we were trying to do all the good things we know we can do, but I did feel today was a game too many.
"I thought it was very frustrating for our players. It's been a really busy period and we haven't been able to share the efforts between the squad because we had so many injuries and players missing.
"Today, you look at the opposition and they've been able to make five or six changes from Saturday - I think that paid off for them."
Wigan, who have lost six of their last eight matches, currently sit 18th in the Premier League table.
Robert Summerscales
