Manchester United moved within one point of a record-tying 18th English league title, mounting a dramatic comeback to win 2-1 against Wigan on Wednesday at the JJB Stadium behind second-half goals from Carlos Tevez and Michael Carrick.

Hugo Rodallega had put Wigan ahead after 29 minutes, but Tevez tied the score when he deflected a Carrick shot with a backheel in the 61st minute, just three minutes after coming off the bench.

Carrick scored with four minutes left to play to lift United to a win over the mid-table club. “We did it the hard way,” Carrick admitted afterwards during a news conference.

The road win now gives United a six-point lead over second-place Liverpool with two league games remaining. It can win its third straight EPL title this weekdnd and tie Liverpool’s record for most championships with a win or draw at home on Saturday against Arsenal.

On the same day, Liverpool will play at West Bromwich Albion.

“We’ll approach the game the way we always approach a game,” United manager Alex Ferguson said. “It is against a very good Arsenal side.”