WIGAN ATHLETIC 0, MANCHESTER UNITED 2
Job professional done as Manchester United avoided a banana skin by recording an Emirates FA Cup, third-round victory at Wigan Athletic in a far more resounding manner than the scoreline suggested.
Goals from Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes’ penalty booked a last 32 tie at either Newport County or non-league Eastleigh.
Closer examination of the stats revealed the Reds’ superiority as they enjoyed 67 per cent possession and had 33 goal attempts to the home side’s eight.
They struck the frame of the goal twice and Wigan keeper Sam Tickle was man-of-the-match preventing a heavier loss.
After United’s recent poor run of form, safely negotiating this tie was a relief for United manager Erik ten Tag.
And it came almost 40 years to the day since United suffered one of their most humiliating FA Cup results losing to lower league Bournemouth.
Embed from Getty ImagesTen Hag, whose side was watched by Sir Dave Brailsford and Jean-Claude Blanc from INEOS who are taking a 25 per cent stake in the club, said: “It was all about the win.
“I was pleased with the way we worked the ball and made runs in the final third and created chances.
“We should have scored more, but the good thing was we created the chances.”
Ten Hag added, despite his squad being depleted by injury and illness, added they still put out a strong side and they did not underestimate them.
And he reaffirmed his desire to win the FA Cup,
“It is a massive competition everyone wants to win, and every manager will be eager to win it, and they all take it seriously,” he said.
Wigan manager Shaun Maloney praised his League One side which played in front of the biggest crowd at the DW Stadium for 10 years.
He said: “In terms of effort, I am very proud what the players gave in a difficult match as Manchester United played well.
“I cannot criticise my players who kept going and there were some good saves from our keeper.
“It was very, very difficult at times and we can take a lot from the game.”
United made only two changes from the side that began the 2-1 loss to Nottingham Forest on December 30.
Goalkeeper Andre Onana, who will be with Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations later this month, started and the changes saw Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund come in for Christian Eriksen and Antony, who did not feature, while it was a youthful bench for United.
Wigan top scorer Stephen Humphrys, who missed the 1-1 draw at Barnsley, started in one of two changes, replacing Josh Magennis while Thelo Aasgaard came in for Callum Lang.
Substitute keeper Ben Amos is a former United player and James Carragher is the son of ex-England defender Jamie.
Wigan came out to The Monkees’ ‘I’m a Believer’ and they almost snatched a third-minute lead when Martial Godo broke down the right and crossed to the far post where Thelo Aasgaard’s effort was superbly saved by Andre Onana.
It took United almost quarter of an hour before creating their first opening when Marcus Rashford drew a great stop from keeper Sam Tickle.
Scott McTominay ought to have broken the deadlock when he fired wide after a great passing move – it looked as though he could not miss.
The breakthrough came midway through the half when Dalot found the net.
Rashford’s initial shot was blocked and rebounded to the Reds’ player who cut the ball back to Dalot who, from outside the box, bent a shot low to the left of Tickle for his second of the season.
It was almost 2-0 not long after when a rasping Rashford shot was fumbled by Tickle on to the base of the upright.
Tickle also denied Hojlund with his legs and the Dane then saw a header clip the top of the bar.
Rashford fired a free kick narrowly wide and saw another effort beaten out by Tickle with Hojlund putting the rebound wide.
Alejandro Garnacho cut in from the right and saw his drive crash against the bar as it could easily have been four or five for the Reds.
United continued to dominate after the restart without looking like adding to their lead.
Just after the hour, Kobbie Mainoo forced a decent diving save from Tickle and McTominay then waste another glorious chance firing over when well placed.
United finally put the game to bed with 16 minutes left when they won a penalty after Fernandes was tripped by Liam Shaw.
The Reds’ captain picked himself up to send Tickle the wrong way from the spot for his sixth of the season.
Fernandes came close again moments later when his shot was fumbled by Tickle.
United made their first change with seven minutes left when Dalot was replaced by Willy Kambwala, soon followed by Garnacho making way for Facundo Pellistri.
And in the second of four added minutes, ten Hag handed a senior debut to Omari Forson and also brought on Hannibal as Rashford and Hojlund departed.