Neil Redfearn spoke of his disappointment following the 2-0 home defeat to Wigan Athletic and says his side must improve at both ends of the pitch.

United came close through Billy Sharp, clipping the crossbar with a looping header, while substitutes Steve Morison and Rodolph Austin were among those denied by fine Scott Carson saves before Sam Byram blazed over from close range.

But Wigan scored in each half, Liam Cooper turning into his own net and James McClean slamming past Marco Silvestri, to send the three points back to Lancashire on Boxing Day.

"We got in front of goal enough, I thought we got in and around their box enough but I thought our finishing was hit and miss," said Redfearn.

"I thought we were unlucky with the one that hit the bar and Sam’s got to score from so close, we were the better side.

"But you can’t say you were the better side when you’ve come away beaten 2-0. You’ve still got to keep the back door shut.

"The first goal was obviously a mistake and then the second goal is just poor defending. It was a disappointing day.

"You’ve got to have a bit of quality and composure in your finishing.

"As a player I prided myself on scoring from midfield and I knew when you get around the box there’s a split second to think about hitting the target, making the keeper work.

"It’s just the simple things done well in and around that area when it’s tight.

"But even when you’re under pressure in and around the box, you’ve got a little bit longer than what you think and it’s those players who keep their composure, pick people out to finish... That’s how you score your goals.

"We didn’t get desperate but the quality wasn’t enough."

Redfearn also bemoaned the manner in which United conceded the goals, especially for Wigan’s second of the afternoon.

"The first goal was just a mix-up but I’ve lost count of the number of times where we’ve been in a good position and said it’s been a mix-up. It can’t happen," he said.

"Other sides don’t seem to make mix-ups, it just seems to be us.

"Then for the second goal, we were chasing the game, trying to get ourselves back in it. We changed it around at half-time – I thought the change worked, we looked better, but the second goal was poor."