A new year, a chance to shake off the horrendous December results, and a favourable FA Cup 3rd round tie against Wigan Athletic. A perfect chance at redemption for United, with domestic cups being a saving grace under Ten Hag. They got off to the perfect start with a fairly straight forward victory. They weren’t flashy, or overly dominant, but after their last month, anything positive needs to be taken at this stage of things.

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Teams

Wigan Athletic: Tickle, Sessegnon, Hughes, Morrison, Clare, Adeeko, Shaw (McManaman 78′), Jones (Smith 78′), Aasgaard, Godo (Lang 90′), Humphrys (Magennis 59′)

Subs: Amos, Carragher, Kerr, Robinson, Wyke

Manchester United: Onana, Dalot (Kambwala 83′), Evans, Varane, Wan-Bissaka, Mainoo, McTominay, Rashford (Mejbri 90′), Fernandes, Garnacho (Pellistri 87′), Hojlund (Forson 90′)

Subs: Bayindir, Heaton, Bennett, Hugill, Shoretire

Wigan Athletic 0-2 Manchester United

Manchester United booked their place in the FA Cup fourth round with a controlled 2–0 win over League One side Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium. The hosts began brightly, showing plenty of energy and commitment in front of a lively home crowd, but United gradually settled after a slightly shaky opening. Their patience paid off midway through the first half when Diogo Dalot curled a superb low effort into the far corner from the edge of the box, giving Erik ten Hag’s side the platform they needed.

Wigan, to their credit, refused to retreat into their shell. Shaun Maloney’s side tried to push forward when opportunities arose, with Stephen Humphrys and Martial Godo offering occasional sparks on the break. But United controlled possession for long spells, moving the ball with purpose and forcing the Latics to defend deep. Alejandro Garnacho came close to doubling the lead with a thundering strike off the underside of the bar, while Scott McTominay saw a header well saved, as the Premier League side turned the screw.

The decisive second goal finally arrived in the second half when Bruno Fernandes was felled in the box and calmly dispatched the resulting penalty, sealing the tie. From there, United saw out the game professionally, rotating the ball and denying Wigan any hint of a late comeback. It wasn’t a breath-taking performance, but it was a composed and confident one, exactly what United needed as they progress into the next round of the competition.

Talking Points

One of the major talking points from the night was the quality of Manchester United’s goals and the way they arrived. Diogo Dalot’s opener stood out not just for its precision, but for the way it settled United after an uncertain start. Wigan had applied early pressure and created a couple of nervy moments, but Dalot’s composed finish from the edge of the area re-established order and allowed United to dictate the pace. It was an example of the Premier League side’s superior sharpness in key moments.

Another key theme was United’s control versus Wigan’s resilience. Despite being two divisions apart, Wigan approached the game with ambition, especially in the first half, and showed they weren’t there to simply contain. Their transitions caused occasional problems, and only the woodwork denied them an equaliser from Thelo Aasgaard’s strike. United, meanwhile, dominated possession and carved out several big chances, with Garnacho’s thunderous effort off the bar the closest to putting the game out of sight before the break.

The second-half penalty incident also sparked plenty of discussion. Bruno Fernandes’ burst into the box drew contact from Liam Morrison, and though Wigan protested the decision, the referee pointed to the spot, allowing the United captain to convert and effectively end the contest. From then on, the tie lacked jeopardy, but United managed the game professionally. For Wigan, the performance brought positives despite the defeat; for United, it was a night defined by taking care of business efficiently while offering glimpses of growing confidence.