Ten Hag on Onana, contract extensions, Sancho exit and the FA Cup
Wigan Athletic host Manchester United in the FA Cup third round with the prospect of another giant-killing result on the cards for the League One side. The Latics famously defeated Manchester City in the cup final in 2013 then again in the 2018 fifth round against a Pep Guardiola side featuring Sergio Aguero and David Silva.
Though they currently sit 17th in League One, Wigan have a decently strong side that can challenge the top contenders in the league on their day. Taking on Manchester United is another prospect entirely though manager Shaun Maloney has good memories of facing the Red Devils having scored the goal in Wigan’s only victory over the Old Trafford outfit back in 2012.
United, in contrast, will see this match as a slight bump on their way to the next round. With Erik ten Hag’s team out of Europa and struggling in the Premier League an FA Cup triumph would bring a huge boost in morale. The manager is expected to play a firmly strong line-up andwill be hoping for a stress free evening against a team two leagues below his own.
Follow all the action from the DW Stadium below plus get the latest odds and tips right here:
Half-time! Wigan 0-1 Manchester United
45+1 mins: The half-time break arrives with Manchester United taking a slim lead into the changing rooms. In truth the visitors have dominated and should be further ahead.
Wigan’s best chance came through Thelo Aasgaard in the early minutes but since then it’s been all Man Utd. Can Wigan punch back in the second half?
Mike Jones8 January 2024 21:02
Wigan 0-1 Manchester United
Alejandro Garnacho cuts in from the right side and smokes a shot at goal. Tickle leaps for the ball but it goes over him and rattles into the crossbar before bouncing away.
A minute or so later, Hojlund has another chance to score but his guided effort is kept out by the outstretched foot of Tickle.
Mike Jones8 January 2024 20:58
Wigan 0-1 Manchester United
40 mins: You have to say, Wigan aren’t afraid to take their shots.
The corner is rolled to Godo who crosses it over to Charlie Hughes. He stops the ball and blasts a quick effort at goal only to see it blocked and cleared away.
Mike Jones8 January 2024 20:55
Wigan 0-1 Manchester United
38 mins: There are more goals in this game for Manchester United. They’re quicker and sharper than Wigan as to be expected. Erik ten Hag’s men need to take the opportunity to get their forwards firing. Hojlund needs a goal.
United have to defend first though as Wigan win a free kick over on the right side. It’s knocked short to Humphrys who runs it to the box and shoots winning the hosts a corner after his effort is deflected wide.
Mike Jones8 January 2024 20:53
Wigan 0-1 Manchester United
36 mins: Wigan Athletic are living dangerously. Rashford cuts inside again from the left wing and blazes a shot at goal. Sam Tickle keeps it out but palms the ball back into the dangerzone.
Rasmus Hojlund is the first to react but taps the ball wide of the target.
Mike Jones8 January 2024 20:51
Wigan 0-1 Manchester United
33 mins: Nearly! Manchester United win a free kick in a dangerous area and Marcus Rashford lines up a shot. He fizzes the effort over the wall and curls it away from the goalkeeper.
Tickle dives across and watches as the ball sails wide of the far post.
Mike Jones8 January 2024 20:48
Wigan 0-1 Manchester United
There’s no let up as United sweep forward again. Garnacho whips in the cross this time and perfectly picks out Rasmus Hojlund. He’s got to score.
He connects with a free header but smokes the effort over the top of the crossbar, perhaps clipping the woodwork on the way through.
Sam Tickle seemed well positioned so maybe he would have kept it out.
Mike Jones8 January 2024 20:46
Wigan 0-1 Manchester United
Stephen Humphrys takes a shot from the edge of the penalty area looking to emulate Diogo Dalot’s effort. He tries to curl one into the far corner but doesn’t get the whip on the ball.
Martial Godo arrives near the far post and attempts to backheel it into the goal but the effort goes wide.
Mike Jones8 January 2024 20:45
Wigan 0-1 Manchester United
25 mins: Can Wigan Athletic respond to that goal?
They’ve been pushed deeper and deeper by the visitors who are starting to look like a Premier League side. Wigan give possession away in the middle of the pitch and United counter quickly.
The ball us fed into the box and hit towards Tickle but the goalkeeper makes another good stop to keep the hosts in the match.
Mike Jones8 January 2024 20:43
GOAL! Wigan 0-1 Manchester United (Dalot, 22’)⚽️
Man Utd break down the right side with Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho combining to get the ball up the pitch. The cross comes in and is initially dealt with by Liam Morrison but he nods the ball to Marcus Rashford.
Rashford’s shot is blocked so he lays the rebound off to Diogo Dalot. Dalot takes a touch then bends a shot wide of Sam Tickle to nestle the ball into the far bottom corner.
Mike Jones8 January 2024 20:39
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.