Wigan vs Man Utd LIVE: FA Cup third round result and reaction as Bruno Fernandes penalty secures victory
Wigan 0-2 Man Utd: A Diogo Dalot curler and a Bruno Fernandes penalty earned the visitors the win
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Your support makes all the difference.There was no fairytale FA Cup giant killing for Wigan Athletic as they hosted Manchester United on a cold Monday night at the DW Stadium. Shaun Maloney’s side slipped to a 2-0 defeat against the Red Devils whose greater quality was evident for all to see.
Things could have been different though as the hosts created the first chance of the night. Martial Godo nipping down the right wing to set up Thelo Aasgaard on the left side of the box only for Andre Onana to charge down the shot. From there though it was all United.
They were wasteful in front of goal and, coupled with a fine display from goalkeeper Sam Tickle, found it difficult to score. The deadlock was broken by a wonderful curling effort. Marcus Rashford slipping the ball to Diogo Dalot just inside the penalty area with the defender having enough time to set himself and pick out the far bottom corner.
In the second half there were a few nervous moments for the visitors. Nothing too stressful and when Bruno Fernandes’ theatrics bought his team a penalty, which he himself converted, that put the game past Wigan.
Relive the action from the DW Stadium below plus get the latest odds and tips right here:
Ten Hag on January schedule
The Manchester United boss isn’t too worried about the amount of games coming up in January and says that the trick to team management is balancing training with rest.
When asked if his team prepares differently for busy periods he replied: “Yeah, but we always have had a very tough programme in 2023.
“I think one of the toughest programmes from all the teams across Europe, we played so many games. So, we have to take the time to get refreshed.
“But then also we have to get ready for the second half of the season. We have a lot to play for with the Premier League and FA Cup.”
Erik ten Hag issues updates on Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro
Manchester United boss, Erik ten Hag, welcomed back injured duo Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro to the training pitch this week and is excited for their returns to the team saying: “Two class players and they will bring the team forward.
“We know that and now we’re looking forward to their return in the team on matchdays. But we have to wait for that.
“They still need some time to fully make their comeback but yeah, it is a good signal that they are back on the grass with the team, in the team training.
“Now, we have to make the next step [to get them] fully in the team training, and then they can work with us.”
Manchester United consider four sporting directors in eight-week audit of club
Sir Dave Brailsford will decide whether Manchester United need one chief or two in an audit that will last eight weeks.
The outcome will also detail other key appointments, but there will be no major decisions taken until its conclusion.
This is likely to mean a quiet January and ensure Erik ten Hag is safe as manager until the end of the season.
The audit, mandated by Ineos as they also go through the Premier League Owners and Directors Test for a minority stake in the club, is primarily an attempt to understand “the performance challenge”.
Man Utd consider four sporting directors in eight-week audit of club
Sir Dave Brailsford will examine the scale of the operation surrounding the performance of the club with four targets identified as potential directors of football
Wigan vs Man Utd prediction
Despite the enormous gulf in resources and league positions between the two teams there is an excitable atmosphere surrounding this match as though an upset may be on the cards.
Wigan have enough quality to create a few chances at goal if Manchester United don’t live up to their best performance and the home crowd may just lift the League One side.
Still, Wigan have only ever beaten United once in their history so it seems unlikely that they’ll do so again tonight. Expect a nervy away win for Erik ten Hag’s men.
Wigan 1-2 Manchester United.
Wigan vs Man Utd predicted line-ups
Wigan Athletic XI: Tickle; Clare, Hughes, Morrison, Sessegnon; Shaw, Adeeko; McManaman, Lang, Godo; Magennis
Manchester United XI: Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Evans, Varane, Dalot; McTominay, Eriksen, Fernandes; Garnacho, Hojlund, Rashford.
Wigan vs Man Utd early team news
Wigan’s Jason Kerr and Tom Pearce will be absent, while Scott Smith and Stephen Humphrys are doubts. 11 years on from being player of the match in the FA Cup final win over Manchester City, Callum McManaman remains a key figure in his third stint at the club.
While some other Premier League managers have rotated in the cup, Erik ten Hag is likely to name a strong side. It could well include Andre Onana after Manchester United reached agreement with Cameroon to delay the release of their goalkeeper to the Africa Cup of Nations, while Rasmus Hojlund could return further forward after overcoming an illness.
How to watch Wigan vs Man Utd
Wigan vs Manchester United is due to kick off at 8.15pm GMT at the DW Stadium.
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on ITV1, with coverage on the channel from 7.30pm GMT. The action will also be available online via ITVX.
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Wigan vs Man Utd
Good evening and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s FA Cup action as Wigan Athletic host Manchester United in the third round.
The two teams last faced each other in this very competition four years ago. That match was the only time the sides have met in the FA Cup and United stormed to a 4-0 victory at Old Trafford. Erik ten Hag will be hoping to do something similar this evening as he sets his sights on a positive cup run.
Before the match gets underway, the draw for the fourth round will take place live on ITV1 as the teams who have already made it through, like Man City and Liverpool, will discover their fate for the next stage of the competition.
We’ll have all the action, updates and team news throughout the evening so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 8.15pm.
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