Manchester United are through to the fourth round of the FA Cup. The Red Devils missed numerous chances at third-division side Wigan Athletic, but still ended up with a well-deserved 2-0 win
Athletic coach Shaun Maloney made two changes after the 1-1 draw at Barnsley FC. Aasgaard and Humphrys started in place of Lang and Magennis (both bench)
United coach Erik ten Hag also made two changes to his squad. Compared to the 2-1 defeat at Nottingham Forest, McTominay replaced Eriksen and Höjlund started in place of Antony. Rashford moved back to the wing from the center of the attack
Diogo Dalot with the lead – United wasting chances
The hosts made the better start to the game and had the first top chance early on through Aasgaard. However, the Dane was denied by Onana (3rd), who has often been unfortunate of late. United had been warned and subsequently took control of the game. The first dangerous shot for the Red Devils came from Rashford (14). The visitors became more dangerous and McTominay also missed the opening goal (17′), which was to come five minutes later: Diogo Dalot flicked the ball into the right-hand corner from around 17 meters.
The goal was the result of one of Garnacho’s many dangerous crosses during this phase. The Argentinian also set up Rashford’s finish (24′) and Höjlund’s header over the bar (29′). Wigan were busy in defense and were no longer able to make as many pinpricks forward. However, one was dangerous (28′). The 2013 FA Cup winners could not have complained about conceding another goal before the break, but a double chance from Rashford and Höjlund (36′) and another cross from Garnacho (40′) failed to find the net.
Bruno Fernandes scores from the spot
The Red Devils remained the dominant team at the start of the second half. However, they were no longer as successful as they had been in the first half, at times carving out high-caliber chances by the minute. Mainoo had the first goal worth mentioning in the 62nd minute. With only a one-goal lead, there is always a risk of conceding a goal – as was the case in the 67th minute, but Mainoo defended one-on-one against the eye-catching Wigan attacker Godo.
In the 72nd minute, referee Anthony Taylor then pointed to the spot. Bruno Fernandes went to ground after a slight contact – he converted the resulting penalty to decide the game (74′). The English record champions then tried to make it 3:0, but were again denied by the strong Tickle in the hosts’ goal (81st, 82nd). Bruno Fernandes also missed his second goal (86). In the end, it was a well-deserved 2-0 win for the visitors.
Wigan Athletic host Doncaster Rovers in the last 16 of the EFL Trophy on Tuesday. Manchester United face Tottenham in the Premier League on January 14 (5.30pm).
