Wigan Athletic and Manchester United come out to fireworks

• Wigan Athletic produced a creditable performance against Manchester United in the FA Cup third round but were defeated 2-0 at the DW Stadium.
• Latics had a great chance to go ahead in the fourth minute as Martial Godo crossed to the back post and Thelo Aasgaard forced an excellent save from Andre Onana.
• United enjoyed the majority of possession and made the breakthrough on 22 minutes when Diogo Dalot’s curled strike found the corner of the net.
• The visitors created plenty of chances with Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho hitting the bar and Marcus Rashford forcing a good save from Sam Tickle.
• Latics threatened when Stephen Humphrys’ cross shot found Martial Godo but the Fulham loanee failed to make the opportunity count from close range.
• United sealed their progress to the fourth round when Bruno Fernandes won a soft penalty, from Liam Shaw’s challenge, and the Portuguese international stepped up to convert the spot kick.

Shaun Maloney made two changes from the draw away at Barnsley, with Thelo Aasgaard and Stephen Humphrys replacing Callum Lang & Josh Magennis.

Manchester United manager Erik den Hag named his strongest possible side at the DW Stadium.

Latics had a great chance in the opening four minutes when Sean Clare surged forward to feed Godo in down the right. He played an early cross to Aasgaard at the back post but the young Norwegian international was denied by an excellent save from Onana.

United responded and Tickle did well to divert Rashford’s strike around the post before Scott McTominay steered an effort just past the post from close range. 

The visitors did go ahead on 22 minutes when Rashford’s initial effort at goal was charged down by Clare before Rachford set up Dalot and the full back took a touch before curling a finish into the bottom corner.

United continued in the ascendancy and they went close when Rashford hit a dipping effort at goal, which Tickle kept out superbly, before McTominay flicked wide from close range. Garnacho then crashed a powerful strike against the crossbar.

Latics had an early half chance in the second half as Aasgaard crossed to Godo inside the area, but the Fulham loanee couldn’t quite make the vital contact.

McTominay then had an opportunity as the ball came to him inside the area, but the outstanding Charlie Hughes made a vital block.

At the other end Godo was able to make a surging run forward but he was denied by Mainoo as he tried to shoot.

United effectively sealed the victory in the 74th minute when Liam Shaw was adjudged to have brought down Fernandes in the area. It looked a soft penalty with the Portuguese midfielder making a meal of the challenge.

Referee Anthony Taylor decided to point to the spot and Fernandes converted the penalty.

Latics continued to battle to the end but they couldn’t quite make the vital breakthrough. Aasgaard had a late strike towards the bottom corner, which Onana was able to see creep just wide of the post.

Overview

This was a creditable performance by a Latics team made up of Academy graduates, free transfers and loan players.

54 places separate the two teams but Latics were not overawed.

The club nearly went out of business recently and they have faced an eight point deduction this season but they gave a very good account of themselves against one of the richest clubs in the world.

Tickle, Hughes, Morrison and Godo all showed they are tremendous talents who are capable of playing in the Premier League. Latics must surely retain their talents for as long as is reasonably possible.

An inconsistent United turned up on the night and deserved to go through to the next round, preserving manager Erik ten Hag’s job in the process.

Latics get back to the nitty gritty of League One on Saturday, as they travel to in form Northampton Town, needing to move away from the bottom end of the table.

DW Stadium – Wigan Athletic V Manchester United

Post match comments

Speaking afterwards, Maloney was full of praise for his side’s performance and effort levels against the Premier League giants.

“I am proud of the effort that they put in,” he said.

“It was always going to be a difficult match for us. When you play against a team a couple of divisions above, it’s difficult. 

“The application of the players was very good. The one thing that I will take away is I want even more belief that they can play under pressure. I can’t criticise the players at all tonight. 

“We had some really good performances, and in games like this, it’s tough because you’re never happy when you get beat. I was really happy with the performance and the effort levels, but we’ll be back in tomorrow getting ready for Saturday.”

Player ratings

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