- Manchester United are through to the next stage of the FA Cup after beating Wigan 2-0
- Last night’s win was United’s first away from home in any competition since the end of November at Everton
Manchester United are through to the next stage of the FA Cup after beating Wigan 2-0 in the Wigan Athletic vs Man United fixture. Diogo Dalot put the Red Devils in front after 22 minutes of play before Bruno Fernandes sealed the win with a penalty in the 74th minute.
The draw for the fourth round took place before kick-off at DW Stadium and United will face either League Two side Newport County or non-league Eastleigh.
Wigan Athletic vs Man United. Photo/ Times Now.
Last night’s win was United’s first away from home in any competition since the end of November at Everton. Struggling in the Premier League and already out of the UEFA Champions League and Carabao Cup, Erik ten Hag has no option but to take the FA Cup seriously. This is the only trophy that he might win this season, which will enable him to convince new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe that he’s the right person to lead the team next campaign.
Winning the FA Cup in 1999 saved Sir Alex Ferguson‘s career at Manchester United, and Erik ten Hag could use the same strategy since it’s the only chance that he has this season. Speaking after the Wigan Athletic vs Man United game on Monday night, Erik ten Hag said his team was taking the FA Cup seriously.
“It’s a massive competition that everyone wants to win. Every manager is eager to win, we take this seriously. We have so many injuries and illnesses but still we put out a strong side. We had a good team, so we were confident before, we must win this game. You never underestimate any opponent, definitely not this side, you know they will fight for their life because it’s the game of their life, we took the game very good.” Erik ten Hag is quoted by ESPN.
Wigan Athletic Vs Man United
Having ended 2023 with defeat at Nottingham Forest, Manchester United knew they had to return to winning ways against Wigan. But it was the hosts who made a dream start, with Andre Onana forced to make a brilliant save to deny Thelo Aasgaard’s shot.
The attempt gave the home fans a reason to cheer their team to see if they could pull a shocker like they did in 2018 against Manchester City while still playing in League One. Wigan beat Pep Guardiola’s side 1-0 in the fifth round at this same stadium.
However, things were different on Monday night as they conceded first when Dalot’s curled effort went straight into the back of the net. United then had several chances which they failed to convert afterwards, and how it was only 1-0 at halftime remains a mystery.
Rasmus Hojlund tapped wide with the goal at his mercy and then hit the crossbar, just like Alejandro Garnacho had done earlier. Marcus Rashford and Scott McTominay also missed good chances before the break.
Whereas chances became scarce for United in the second half, the visitors still had a few opportunities worth converting. Eventually, they added a second goal in the 74th minute when Bruno Fernandes was fouled in the box and he sent the Wigan keeper the wrong way.
Manchester United beat Wigan 2-0. Photo/ Manchester Evening News.
Wigan Athletic are sitting 18th in League One, which is two divisions below the English Premier League. Speaking after the 2-0 loss, Wigan manager Shaun Maloney said he was proud of his players.
“I’m proud of my players. It was a difficult match. When you play an opponent that has that much talent in the final third, it’s very hard to then press. I was really happy with our players. There were moments early and in these games, you have to take those chances. It was a difficult match but a brilliant experience for our players.” Sky Sports quotes Shaun Maloney.
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