Erik ten Hag will aim at a better outcome in the FA Cup this season as Manchester United take on League One side and former holders Wigan Athletic.
Shaun Maloney has a considerable task ahead of him, not just in the FA Cup but staying relevant in their domestic league tasks as well. Wigan Athletic have endured a difficult few years, and last season’s poor performances saw them suffer relegation from the Championship, and now they are struggling in the lower league, although their next task is in the FA Cup against Manchester United.
Wigan Athletic are 13 points away from the playoff places in League One, which calls for a massive upturn in their performances to stay relevant. They are currently outside of the relegation zone in their division.Hut more abject performances could drag them into the reckoning.
Their fans would want a repeat of their 2012/13 run, where Wigan lifted the FA Cup, beating Manchester City in the final 1-0. Since then, things have gone downwards, and it has never looked like they will rise to similar heights again. Now, they have a clash against Manchester United that most expect them to lose.
Manchester United have a favourable record against Wigan in recent times, with the Red Devils coming out as 4-0 winners the last time these sides met in the FA Cup in 2017. They have actually beaten Wigan with the same scoreline in three of their last four such encounters, which makes Erik ten Hag’s men the outright favourites now.
Manchester United have not had a good season so far, as they sit eighth in the Premier League and have already seen the back of the Champions League. Ten Hag may also feel he and his team have a point to prove in the FA Cup after reaching the final in his first season, only to lose out against Manchester City, who added this trophy to win the treble.
Ten Hag would also want a response from his side, who lost out to Nottingham Forest, to end 2023 in a disappointing manner. The Dutch manager would have certainly welcomed the Premier League break but will look for a good performance from his players to progress in the FA Cup.
Team News & Tactics
Wigan Athletic
Wigan will be without Tom Pearce and Jason Kerr for this clash, while Stephen Humphrys and Scott Smith are major doubts for this one. James Balagizi will also miss this clash as his loan spell from Liverpool comes to an end ahead of this game.
Liam Shaw and Babajide Adeeko will keep their places in central midfield and protect a back four behind them. Those will consist of Charlie Hughes and Liam Morrison at the heart of the defence, with Sean Clare and Steven Sessegnon keeping width from full-back positions.
Callum McManaman will likely play in the wide left position in the attack, although the experienced star will have competition from Martial Godo. Callum Lang and Jordan Jones will keep the other two attacking berths, with the latter taking up the left wing. Josh Magennis will finish the attacking setup by leading the line for Wigan, hoping to cause problems to the Manchester United backline.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Tickle; Clare, Hughes, Morrison, Sessegnon; Shaw, Adeeko; McManaman, Lang, Jones; Magennis
Manchester United
Andre Onana made the unusual decision to delay his participation with the Cameroon squad, as he agreed to play in this FA Cup clash and the Premier League game on the weekend and then again for his national side 24 hours later. So it is a big ask for the keeper, who will hope his defenders provide him with an easy job against Wigan Athletic.
One player who has indeed left early is Sofyan Amrabat, who has joined up with his Morocco teammates. On the positive side, Manchester United could have a host of critical absentees return from their respective injury issues, although most may not make it against Wigan.
Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans will continue their partnership at the heart of the defence. With Sergio Reguilon also returning to Tottenham after Manchester United activated a break clause in his contract, Erik ten Hag will keep Diogo Dalot at left-back. At the same time, Aaron Wan-Bissaka seems primed to take the right-back role.
Kobie Mainoo and Scott McTominay are best placed to feature in central midfield. Hannibal Mejbri, who did not go to the AFCON with Tunisia, will likely get the nod in the No.10 role. Amad Diallo, who has impressed in his few cameos, will get to start from the right, while Alejandro Garnacho switches to the left. Rasmus Hojlund is Manchester United’s best striker option, meaning the Dane will lead the line.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Evans, Dalot; McTominay, Mainoo; Diallo, Mejbri, Garnacho; Hojlund
Key Stats
- Manchester United have won 19 of their last 20 matches against Wigan in all competitions.
- Manchester United have kept a clean sheet in ten of their last 11 matches against Wigan in all competitions.
- Manchester United have scored at least two goals in 11 of their last 12 matches against Wigan in all competitions.
- Wigan have won just one of their last six matches in all competitions
- Wigan have lost three of their last four games against Manchester United with a 4-0 scoreline.
Player to Watch
Andre Onana
The Cameroonian keeper has grabbed all the attention towards him following his unusual decision about going late to the AFCON. The stopper has chosen to join up with his national side right after Manchester United’s match this weekend, while he will likely play about 23 hours later.
It is a high risk physically, considering the travels and other things involved in the game. He would like to leave club duties on a high note, although he will want his defence to cut his work out for the evening. Onana will aim to help Manchester United progress into the next round of the FA Cup and then help Cameroon at the AFCON.
Prediction
Wigan Athletic 0-3 Manchester United
The Red Devils might find it easy to break down the League One side and get an easy win to go through to the next round. Erik ten Hag will have a squad good enough to face Wigan Athletic, and he will want his attackers to put in a solid performance.
There are some players like Hannibal Mejbri and Amad Diallo, who will have to make the best of these chances, as Wigan will be the recipient of a heavy defeat if all goes to plan for the Red Devils. Overall, ten Hag’s men are clear favourites to reach the fourth round and wait for their next opponent.
