Manchester United make the short trip over to Wigan tomorrow night, to get their FA Cup campaign started in the third round.
Languishing 8th in the league and dumped out of both the Champions League and League Cup, this is realistically United’s over chance of silverware this season. The Reds last won the competition in 2016 with a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace.
After a brilliant cup campaign and heart-breaking final defeat to our noisy neighbours last year, Erik Ten Hag will be keen for another deep FA cup run.
United last played Wigan in the 4th round of the FA Cup in 2017, prevailing 4-0 and setting up a run to the final, which we unfortunately lost to Chelsea.
Wigan have only ever beaten United once, in the Premier League in 2012. Recently, the Latics have fallen on hard times and are currently sitting in 18th in League One.
However, make no mistake about it – Wigan will be well up for this game. Whilst not a traditional rival, Wigan are a local team and United are a huge scalp. In front of what is certain to be packed house and hostile atmosphere, the potential for this to be a banana skin is very real.
Manchester United team news
Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, Mason Mount and Tyrell Malacia won’t be fit, but Erik Ten Hag has said that all of these players should be back by the end of January. Mount, Luke Shaw and Maguire are said to be ‘close’ to fitness. Jadon Sancho is likely to go on loan to Borussia Dortmund and will be unavailable.
On a positive note, Rasmus Hojlund should be back from illness and available for selection.
Manchester United predicted lineup
Onana;
Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Evans, Dalot;
Fernandes, Mainoo, Eriksen;
Garnacho, Hojlund, Rashford.
Form Guide
Wigan Athletic (all competitions): LLLWD
Manchester United (all competitions): LDLWL
Prediction
This is a game United really should be winning comfortably, and given Wigan’s struggles in League One, it’s hard to see them competing with United.
However, this is the FA Cup, Wigan are playing at home and have form as giant killers; famously beating City in the 2013 final, only to be relegated a few days later. Don’t be surprised to see a plucky, battling performance from the underdogs with plenty of hard challenges and a raucous, hostile atmosphere.
We think Wigan will score, but the Reds should have too much quality.
Prediction: Wigan 1-4 United
