Manchester United prevented an FA Cup upset on Monday evening by beating League One aspect 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 Crimson Devils’ hopes of silverware alive for 2023/24. They are going to 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 apart from replays. A visit to Newport or Eastleigh was the reward for the winners and Wigan confirmed their need by creating the match’s first massive probability.
Sean Clare and Martial Godo mixed down the battle flank earlier than Thelo Aasgaard was discovered on the again submit. Nevertheless, the Norway Below-21 worldwide noticed his end smothered by the onrushing Andre Onana.
It was an nearly good 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, nevertheless it mattered little because the Crimson Devils took the lead by means of the Portugal worldwide shortly after.
Alejandro Garnacho’s cross nearly discovered Rasmus Hojlund, however the ball finally reached Dalot on the sting of the field the place he curled within the opener to settle his aspect’s nerves.
Wigan’s breakaway risk had waned and so they solely reached half-time with a 1-0 deficit resulting from Man Utd’s inefficient ending. One other Rashford effort was nearly 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 an identical vein as United probed in possession, with a pleasant mixture from Fernandes and Hojlund nearly leading to Erik ten Hag’s aspect doubling their lead. A deflected McTominay effort looped simply over the far nook as high quality possibilities saved slipping by means of United’s fingers.
The guests had been in peril of leaving the sport open for Wigan to mount a late offensive resulting from 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 aspect’s benefit by sending Tickle the improper approach 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 aspect.
It is a return to successful methods for United after their defeat at Nottingham Forest final day out as Ten Hag seems to be to go one step additional within the FA Cup than final season, once 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. A couple of iffy moments however could not have carried out far more on the evening.
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. Typically available to clear threatening United assaults.
CB: Charlie Hughes – 6/10 – Seemed composed on the ball however was largely restricted to defending his space all through.
LB: Steven Sessegnon – 5/10 – Had plenty 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 numerous floor duels. Dived in on Fernandes to provide away a penalty and finish Wigan’s hopes of development.
CM: Babajide Adeeko – 7/10 – Spirited displaying in midfield. Simply wanted a number of others to play at his stage 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 possibilities to ship out extensive however was primarily penned in serving to his aspect 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 laborious 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 – Obtained loads of effort out of his gamers however the hole in high quality simply proved an excessive amount of in the long run.
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 improper in a strong 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 area for others in assault and stepped in properly to cease Wigan’s forays ahead.
LB: Diogo Dalot – 8/10 – Stayed excessive up the pitch and gave his aspect the lead with a curled effort from the sting of the field.
CM: Scott McTominay – 7/10 – Crashed his approach into the field now and again and was one of some gamers responsible of lacking gilt-edged possibilities.
CM: Kobbie Mainoo – 8/10 – Seems so comfortable in Man Utd’s midfield. Used the ball well and stopped plenty 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 risk all through.
AM: Bruno Fernandes – 8/10 – Stitched Man Utd’s assaults collectively masterfully. Made positive 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 proper opening.
ST: Rasmus Hojlund – 6/10 – Had no scarcity of possibilities and located area 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 aspect and can be plotting a deep run on this competitors.
