Goals from Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes saw Manchester United ease into the fourth round of the FA Cup and avoid any unwanted drama in a 2-0 win over League One Wigan.
As they should have, United dominated a side 53 places below them, and the only complaint would be that they did not convert more of their 33 attempts on goal.
As it was, Dalot’s 22nd-minute curler and a second-half penalty from Fernandes set up a tie away to either League Two Newport or non-League Eastleigh.
Pura qualidade, Diogo! 👌🎯#MUFC || #FACup pic.twitter.com/EBz1Mns9UQ
— Manchester United (@ManUtd_PT) January 8, 2024
With Sir Dave Brailsford and Jean-Claude Blanc watching on as Sir Jim Ratcliffe awaits ratification of his 25 per cent stake in United, a straightforward win was just what Erik ten Hag needed after a December in which United lost six of nine games to keep the pressure on the Dutchman.
Recognising the need for a result, the United boss went strong despite a list of absentees into double figures. Christian Eriksen and Antony were the latest to be ruled out, but with Rasmus Hojlund back from illness and Scott McTominay stepping in, United meant business.
With 22,870 on hand, the DW Stadium was sold out for the first time since 2013 and the Latics’ last season in the Premier League, also the campaign in which they upset Manchester City at Wembley to lift the FA Cup.
The home fans should have had a shock goal to celebrate inside three minutes. Sean Clare picked off a loose pass from Kobbie Mainoo and fed Martial Godo. The on-loan Fulham forward hit a quick low cross to Thelo Aasgaard but his shot was well saved by Andre Onana.
Wigan would not have a better chance all night as United responded decisively. Mainoo recovered from his early error to thrive in midfield as United kept Wigan pegged back and peppered Sam Tickle’s goal with shots.
The 21-year-old goalkeeper did superbly well to keep out a Marcus Rashford shot low to his right but could only watch when McTominay ran on to Fernandes’ cross but sent his shot wide of the far post.
A goal was coming. Wigan captain Charlie Hughes got a vital touch to keep Alejandro Garnacho’s cross away from Hojlund but Rashford picked up the pieces and, after finding his own way to goal blocked, laid the ball back for Dalot to curl a shot inside the post.
It was almost 2-0 less than two minutes later. Garnacho’s cross from the right found Rashford, whose drilled shot was saved by Tickle only for the goalkeeper to fumble the ball and push it onto his own post before gathering at the second attempt.
Hojlund headed against the crossbar from a Garnacho cross and then went close when Tickle could only parry a Rashford shot into his path.
And the Wigan crossbar rattled again five minutes before the break when Garnacho cut in from the right and unleashed a powerful left-footed shot which had Tickle beaten.
Wigan switched to a back five to start the second half and did a better job of containing United. Tickle was not forced into meaningful action until just after the hour, when he pushed Mainoo’s shot from the edge of the area away from danger.
When a Garnacho cross was cut out by Hughes it fell kindly for McTominay but he fired over.
Wigan were just beginning to find some encouragement going forward when Liam Shaw caught the toe of Fernandes, who flung himself to the ground to persuade referee Anthony Taylor to point to the spot, from where the United captain sent Tickle the wrong way to double the lead in the 74th minute.
Tickle kept out further shots from Fernandes and Rashford, but United had already done enough.
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Man Utd have reached an agreement to sign Byran Mbeumo Who do you think will get there first? Who do you think will get there first? (Part 2) lol Man Utd know what they need this summer Joao Pedro vs Havertz Arne Slot and Alexander Isak spotted at Coldplay concert… Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, Bleac...
Multiple sources close to the situation have informed CaughtOffside that Chelsea recently held "new talks" with Eze's camp, after also speaking with the player last summer.Chelsea didn't advance their pursuit of Eze on that occasion, but it now seems the Blues have expressed a clear intent to rival Arsenal for him in this transfer window.Our source told us: "Chelsea recently held new talks with th...
Grealish, 29, looks set for a move away from the Etihad this summer after struggling for minutes last season.Jack Grealish has reportedly agreed to train away from the rest of the Man City teamThe winger has been unable to tie down a place as a regular starter under Pep Guardiola in recent seasons and started just seven Premier League games last term.While Guardiola chose to leave Grealish out of ...
The Reds are open to selling Nunez, but are sticking to their asking price of €70m, sources close to the situation have informed CaughtOffside.Nunez has struggled to find his best form at Liverpool, but he's not been short of suitors this summer as clubs still view him as someone with the potential to succeed outside of the Premier League.Sources have confirmed to CaughtOffside that the "str...
Man City approach Burnley over goalkeeper TraffordManchester City have reportedly made formal contact with Burnley to discuss the potential return of their former academy graduate James Trafford. The 22-year-old goalkeeper, currently at Turf Moor, is the subject of renewed interest from his boyhood club just two years after being sold.West Ham could offload Alvarez this summerLess than a year befo...
Al Ain FC v Juventus FC: Group G - FIFA Club World Cup 2025The veteran keeper, who won Euro 2016 with Portugal, has played for Sporting CP, AS Roma, Wolverhampton, Atalanta, and Al AinAl Ain FC v Juventus FC: Group G - FIFA Club World Cup 2025WHAT HAPPENED?After missing out on Keylor Navas, Pumas UNAM are turning their attention to veteran Portuguese goalkeeper Rui Patricio, who famously helped Po...
FBL-EUR-C4-REAL BETIS-CHELSEANoni Madueke has revealed he wants to "win it all" and help Arsenal "take that next step" to silverware. The Gunners shelled out £52 million (€60m/$69.9m) for the winger, who has signed a five-year contract at the Emirates Stadium. The transfer was finalised on Friday, sending a clear message about the Gunners' ambitions for the upcoming season.WHAT HAPPENED...
Erling Haaland Manchester City 2025Fans have called for Erling Haaland to move to Serie A after he professed his love for Italy in a post on social media while on a summer break in Rome.WHAT HAPPENED?In a post uploaded to Instagram, Haaland confessed he loves Italy and praised the beauty of Rome, where he has recently spent time on holiday with girlfriend Isabel Johansen. The Norwegian pair were s...
Chelsea FC v AFC Bournemouth - Premier LeagueChelsea have unveiled their latest group of first-year scholars for the 2025-26 campaign and among the standout names are Reggie Walsh and Isago Silva, the son of veteran defender Thiago Silva. In total, 16 academy players have committed to the next stage of their football development at the west London outfit, reaffirming the club’s ongoing commi...
Erik ten Hag Bayer Leverkusen 2025Bayer Leverkusen endured the nightmare start to Erik ten Hag's reign as his first game in charge ended in a shocking 5-1 defeat.WHAT HAPPENED?Leverkusen were put to the sword by Brazilian club Flamengo's youth side in a humiliating start to former United manager Ten Hag's time at the Bundesliga club. The German giants largely fielded a second-string team but stars...
- 1 Brooklyn Beckham's ex inspires Palmer as Chelsea crush PSG
- 2 Spurs get huge lift in Morgan Gibbs-White row
- 3 Model skips Lamine Yamal's party over 'weird demands'
- 4 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 5 Jude Bellingham finally undergoes surgery on recurrent dislocated shoulder injury as Real Madrid confirm successful procedure for England star ahead of long layoff
- 6 Noni Madueke parties at Wireless with Jadon Sancho
- 7 Chelsea's wage offer to Jadon Sancho revealed
- 8 Xabi Alonso sends warning to Real Madrid stars after PSG thrashing
- 9 Chelsea star’s stunning model Wag captured 'best UFO footage ever'
- 10 Javier Tebas offers reason behind Barcelona's failed Nico Williams pursuit