Kaka did not appear at the City of Manchester Stadium yesterday, but a £100m ghost hovered over a match that would have left the Brazilian shaking his head in disbelief.

At the end of it all, both sides were reduced to 10 men, City after Richard Dunne’s inexplicable flick at Amr Zaki, which earned a straight red from referee Lee Mason, and Wigan due to substitutions and a late injury to Antonio Valencia.

Though City had three clear-cut chances to settle their nerves before the interval, Zaki will still be wondering how he missed a header two yards out with the goal gaping midway through the second half. “He’ll be appearing on one of those Christmas videos for gaffes, won’t he?” said Steve Bruce.

Kaka or Gaga? The idea that any player could possibly be worth more than the Gross National Product of an African nation has moved the Premier League into even murkier moral waters. The City fans, quiet for much of the afternoon until their captain departed just moments after Pablo Zabaleta’s spectacular winning volley, seemed to sense the absurdity of it all. John Terry, Rafa Benítez, Jose Mourinho, player or manager, the list of potential recruits defies all logic and most truths.

Mark Hughes confirmed that negotiations for Kaka were in their early stages, but the news from Italy was that the Brazilian is decidedly reluctant to throw in his lot with a lower mid-table Premier League side.

“I’d love to have the opportunity to work with a player of Kaka’s talent,” said the City manager. “But it’s not going to be a case of getting the deal done in 24 or 48 hours. It’s not going to be an easy process, but we’ll give it all the time it deserves.”

Hughes confirmed that Kaka’s father and agent, Bosco Leite, would travel to Manchester this week to discuss terms of a prospective deal. “There has to be a financial package to make it happen,” added Hughes. “But it’s more about making a compelling argument about being part of something special.”

Bruce was more forthcoming about transfers. Wilson Palacios, who was on his way to Spurs last week for £14m, might now be heading back to Manchester. “Another club came in for him last night,” said Bruce. “I don’t know if it’s official, but it’s from a club not far from here and it’s not United.”

Given all the speculation, the appearance of Palacios in the Wigan midfield was a surprise. But it was a tribute to his professionalism that he let no one down. The match was decided by Zabaleta, who eased City’s embarrassment with a volley from 25 yards early in the second half. Kaka himself could not have done better.

Star man: Wilson Palacios (Wigan)

Yellow cards: Manchester City: Robinho. Wigan Athletic: Cattermole, Bramble, Palacios, Kirkland.
Red card: Manchester City: Dunne.

Referee: L Mason.

Attendance: 41,262.

Manchester City: Hart 6, Richards 5, Dunne 5, Onuoha 7, Bridge 5, Zabaleta 6, Kompany 6, Elano 5, Wright-Phillips 5, Sturridge 6 (Garrido 62min), Robinho 6.

Wigan Athletic: Kirkland 6, Melchiot 5, Scharner 6, Bramble 7 (Camara 87min), Figueroa 5 (Kapo 74min), Valencia 6, Cattermole 6, Palacios 8, Taylor 5 (De Ridder 58min, 6), Heskey 5, Zaki 4.