Manchester United prevented an FA Cup upset on Monday night time by beating League One facet Wigan Athletic on the DW Stadium to arrange a fourth-round journey to Newport County or Eastleigh later in January.
Whereas United had been wasteful in entrance of aim all through the sport, Diogo Dalot’s strike broke the impasse within the twenty second minute earlier than Bruno Fernandes rolled in a second-half penalty he gained after taking place from Liam Shaw’s determined lunge.
The victory retains the Pink Devils’ hopes of silverware alive for 2023/24. They may tackle both League Two outfit Newport or Eastleigh of the Nationwide League later this month for a spot within the fifth spherical.
How the sport unfolded
Basic Monkees tune ‘I am a Believer’ bellowed out on the DW Stadium moments earlier than kick-off, setting the scene for the ultimate FA Cup tie of the third spherical except for replays. A visit to Newport or Eastleigh was the reward for the winners and Wigan confirmed their need by creating the match’s first large probability.
Sean Clare and Martial Godo mixed down the combat flank earlier than Thelo Aasgaard was discovered on the again publish. Nevertheless, the Norway Below-21 worldwide noticed his end smothered by the onrushing Andre Onana.
It was an virtually excellent begin for Wigan, however the guests quickly took a stranglehold on the sport as Marcus Rashford examined Latics goalkeeper Sam Tickle with a low drive which was pushed behind.
Scott McTominay practically transformed a Dalot cross from shut vary, but it surely mattered little because the Pink Devils took the lead via the Portugal worldwide shortly after.
Alejandro Garnacho’s cross virtually discovered Rasmus Hojlund, however the ball ultimately reached Dalot on the sting of the field the place he curled within the opener to settle his facet’s nerves.
Wigan’s breakaway menace had waned they usually solely reached half-time with a 1-0 deficit on account of Man Utd’s inefficient ending. One other Rashford effort was virtually fumbled into his personal aim by Tickle earlier than he caught out his left boot to disclaim Hojlund.
Hojlund then hit the bar with a header when he ought to have netted from point-blank vary, whereas Garnacho additionally smacked the woodwork after letting fly from 22 yards out.
The second half continued in the same vein as United probed in possession, with a pleasant mixture from Fernandes and Hojlund virtually leading to Erik ten Hag’s facet doubling their lead. A deflected McTominay effort looped simply over the far nook as high quality probabilities saved slipping via United’s fingers.
The guests had been at risk of leaving the sport open for Wigan to mount a late offensive on account of their profligacy in entrance of aim, however the anxiousness ranges within the away finish dropped when Fernandes gained a penalty. Whereas the contact was minimal, Shaw’s problem was wild and it allowed United’s captain to increase his facet’s benefit by sending Tickle the mistaken means from the spot.
Any hazard posed from Wigan had firmly dissipated after that aim within the 74th minute, leaving them empty-handed regardless of a stout and disciplined efficiency from Shaun Maloney’s facet.
It is a return to successful methods for United after their defeat at Nottingham Forest final outing as Ten Hag appears to be like to go one step additional within the FA Cup than final season, after they had been defeated by native rivals Manchester Metropolis at Wembley.
GK: Sam Tickle – 7/10 – Stored Man Utd from extending their lead with six saves within the first half. Just a few iffy moments however could not have completed far more on the night time.
RB: Sean Clare – 6/10 – Made a quick begin in assault however quickly needed to sit in to maintain Rashford and Dalot at bay.
CB: Liam Morrison – 7/10 – Vital block denied McTominay from shut vary. Usually readily available to clear threatening United assaults.
CB: Charlie Hughes – 6/10 – Regarded composed on the ball however was largely restricted to defending his space all through.
LB: Steven Sessegnon – 5/10 – Had loads of issues coping with Garnacho’s tempo and trickery.
CM: Liam Shaw – 4/10 – Noticed United’s midfielders breeze previous him in transition, shedding out in quite a few floor duels. Dived in on Fernandes to provide away a penalty and finish Wigan’s hopes of development.
CM: Babajide Adeeko – 7/10 – Spirited exhibiting in midfield. Simply wanted a number of others to play at his degree to essentially threaten an upset.
RW: Martial Godo – 6/10 – Confirmed fast toes in some promising eventualities however his assaults had been usually snuffed out.
AM: Thelo Aasgaard – 5/10 – Needed to rating early on when performed in.
LW: Jordan Jones – 5/10 – Had a number of probabilities to ship out extensive however was primarily penned in serving to his facet defend.
ST: Stephen Humphrys – 5/10 – Had two photographs blocked and got here off simply earlier than the hour.
Substitutes
SUB: Josh Magennis (59′ for Humphrys) – 5/10 – Discovered it arduous to get entangled.
SUB: Callum McManaman (78′ for Jones) – N/A
SUB: Jonny Smith (78′ for Shaw) – N/A
SUB: Callum Lang (90′ for Godo) – N/A
Subs not used: Charlie Wyke, James Carragher, Jason Kerr, Luke Robinson, Ben Amos.
Supervisor
Shaun Maloney – 6/10 – Acquired loads of effort out of his gamers however the hole in high quality simply proved an excessive amount of ultimately.
GK: Andre Onana – 7/10 – Wonderful early cease saved the sport goalless earlier than Man Utd took the lead. Known as into motion sporadically.
RB: Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 6/10 – A extra cautious efficiency at right-back however did little mistaken in a stable sufficient show.
CB: Raphael Varane – 7/10 – Suffered a whack to the face early within the second half however shook it off. Was hardly ever threatened in behind.
CB: Jonny Evans – 7/10 – Made some adventurous runs to open up house for others in assault and stepped in effectively to cease Wigan’s forays ahead.
LB: Diogo Dalot – 8/10 – Stayed excessive up the pitch and gave his facet the lead with a curled effort from the sting of the field.
CM: Scott McTominay – 7/10 – Crashed his means into the field from time to time and was one of some gamers responsible of lacking gilt-edged probabilities.
CM: Kobbie Mainoo – 8/10 – Seems to be so comfy in Man Utd’s midfield. Used the ball neatly and stopped loads of potential Wigan counter-attacks.
RW: Alejandro Garnacho – 8/10 – Almost bagged one other wondrous aim, seeing a speculative effort come again off the bar. Scampered previous Wigan defenders on numerous events and was a menace all through.
AM: Bruno Fernandes – 8/10 – Stitched Man Utd’s assaults collectively masterfully. Made certain of the outcome by successful and changing the penalty.
LW: Marcus Rashford – 7/10 – Laid the ball again to Dalot for an help. Had good alternatives to attain however simply could not fairly work the right opening.
ST: Rasmus Hojlund – 6/10 – Had no scarcity of probabilities and located house with good motion. Hit the woodwork however may have left the DW Stadium with the match ball.
Substitutes
SUB: Willy Kambwala (83′ for Dalot) – N/A
SUB: Facundo Pellistri (87′ for Garnacho) – N/A
SUB: Omari Forson (90′ for Rashford) – N/A
SUB: Hannibal Mejbri (90′ for Hojlund) – N/A
Subs not used: Joe Hugill, Shola Shoretire, Rhys Bennett, Altay Bayindir, Tom Heaton.
Supervisor
Erik ten Hag – 7/10 – Averted a possible banana pores and skin at a League One facet and shall be plotting a deep run on this competitors.
