Diogo Dalot’s classy strike and a precise Bruno Fernandes penalty set up a fourth-round tie for Manchester United against opponents who will be at least three divisions below them as the Premier League side swept past Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium.
Fullback Dalot eased any fears among United fans of another low point in an underwhelming season with a delightful 22nd-minute finish, collecting Marcus Rashford’s pass on the edge of the penalty area and curling the ball beyond home goalkeeper Sam Tickle and into the far corner of the net.
Tickle made a string of impressive saves but had little chance again when Fernandes emphatically converted from the spot 16 minutes from time, having gone down when he was caught by Liam Shaw’s outstretched leg inside the box in an incident which enraged Wigan’s players.
United hit the crossbar twice in little more than 10 minutes in the first half, Rasmus Hojlund sending Alejandro Garnacho’s delivery against the crossbar with a thunderous close-range header before Garnacho took aim from distance with an effort which dipped over Tickle as the visitors dominated the flow of chances.
Wigan vs. Man United result
| 1st half | 2nd half | Result | Goal scorers | |
| Wigan | 0 | 0 | 0 | – |
| Man United | 1 | 1 | 2 | Diogo Dalot (22), Bruno Fernandes (P 74) |
The enterprising but wasteful Hojlund missed another presentable chance when a stop from Tickle fell kindly for him before the break, and Scott McTominay also headed wide when well placed and failed to bundle the ball over the line with the Wigan goal gaping.
Rashford had raced away to celebrate when Tickle clawed his shot off the line after 25 minutes, having pushed the England international’s shot onto the near post behind him, sending it trickling towards the net.
Wigan went closest first when Theo Aasgard’s drilled attempt as part of a swift break was well saved by Andre Onana, but the League One club offered little during the second half to suggest they would extend United’s winless away run to six matches.
The draw for the next round was held shortly before kickoff, pitting United against League Two club Newport or fifth-tier Eastleigh. The non-league side will host the Third Round replay between the teams on January 16, two days after the Red Devils host Tottenham in the Premier League.
The Latics, who are four points clear of the third-tier relegation zone despite being deducted eight points at the start of the season over a financial issue, will return to league action when they travel to Northampton Town on Saturday.
That goalscoring feeling >>>
©️ @B_Fernandes8#MUFC || #FACup pic.twitter.com/n8RSm6SXiX
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 8, 2024
Man United beat Wigan to reach FA Cup Fourth Round
Andre Onana delayed joining Cameroon at the Africa Cup of Nations in order to play in this tie, and his worth to United was almost immediately on display when the goalkeeper spread himself to stop Aasgard from fully capitalising on a defence-defying cross from the lively Martial Godo.
Summer signing Onana was part of a strong starting side fielded by manager Erik ten Hag, who knew that another poor result against modest opponents would increase the pressure which United’s poor first half of the season has brought upon him.
Rashford’s apparent sluggishness allowed Wigan to launch the attack that almost gave them an early lead, but his performance provided less cause for concern than the profligacy of Hojlund, a player whose need for goals appears to be at odds with his ruthlessness in front of goal.
United had 33 attempts at goal, 14 on target and an expected goals total of four, so their failure to achieve real comfort until Fernandes’ second was a mark their inability to make their dominance count.
Pura qualidade, Diogo! 👌🎯#MUFC || #FACup pic.twitter.com/EBz1Mns9UQ
— Manchester United (@ManUtd_PT) January 8, 2024
Fortunately for Ten Hag, Dalot delivered a nerve-soothing goal from one of the most difficult angles any player took aim from all night.
“We could have finished the game with more goals – that’s what we’re missing,” Dalot told ITV Sport afterwards. “We’re Man United; we play to win every competition. That’s why we’re here.”
Their exit from the UEFA Champions League and the Carabao Cup and 14-point deficit on Premier League leaders Liverpool makes the FA Cup United’s only realistic chance of a trophy this season.
Inconsistency has been a feature of their league performances but their form at this stage of the FA Cup is almost perfect: this was the 37th victory of their last 39 Third Round-ties.
A proper cup tie! 🙌#MUFC || #FACup pic.twitter.com/YOCAKAQGrH
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 8, 2024
Wigan manager Maloney rues missed chances against Man United
Wigan manager Shaun Maloney was a key part of Wigan’s most memorable win against heavyweights from Manchester in the FA Cup, setting up Ben Watson’s 91st-minute winner for the club against Manchester City in the 2012/13 final.
That was also the last season they spent in the Premier League, suffering four relegations from the second tier and enjoying three promotions from League One since then.
Maloney has clearly instilled spirit in a squad who have hauled themselves clear of trouble despite their points penalty, and the former Scotland midfielder said before this game that his main objective was to convince his players that they could beat United.
Their bright start demonstrated the influence of the coach’s words and United might have struggled to recover had Aasgard scored or done more with the rebound than planting a cross into Onana’s arms.
Our Emirates FA Cup journey comes to an end. ⏱️#wafc 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/4RKaXhk9sG
— Wigan Athletic (@LaticsOfficial) January 8, 2024
“There were moments early on – and in these games, you have to take those chances,” Maloney said after Wigan conceded their first goals in their third match in this season’s FA Cup.
“I was really, really happy. Manchester United had a lot of chances. It was a difficult match but a brilliant experience for our players.”
In the absence of VAR outside of Premier League stadiums in the competition, the home players were clearly unhappy with referee Anthony Taylor’s decision – made after the official took pause to consider what he had seen – to award Fernandes a penalty.
Replays appeared to show Shaw had made contact with a trailing leg when the midfielder turned sharply, although it was questionable whether the challenge was enough to send him naturally to the ground.
The Sporting News followed the match live and provided updates and highlights below.
MORE: FA Cup third-round draw results
Starting lineups:
Wigan (4-2-3-1, right to left): Tickle (GK) — Clare, Hughes, Morrison, Sessegnon — Adeeko, Shaw — Godo, Aasgard, Jones — Humphrys.
Man United (4-2-3-1 right to left): Onana (GK) — Wan-Bissaka, Evans, Varane, Dalot — McTominay, Mainoo — Rashford, Fernandes, Garnacho — Hojlund
Wigan vs. Man United live updates, highlights, commentary
Fulltime: Wigan 0-2 Man United
Man United are through to the fourth round of the FA Cup with a routine win!
Credit to Wigan, who were probably on par for a team two divisions below their opponents. A Portugal pair decide the tie, Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes striking to book the Premier League side a date at Newport County or Eastleigh.
90 mins: Wigan 0-2 Man United
There will be four minutes of added time. Man United’s five-game winless away run is about to come to an end.
88 mins: Wigan 0-2 Man United
Bruno Fernandes shoots over the crossbar. Diogo Dalot’s opener has been by far the shining light in terms of attempts tonight.
85 mins: Wigan 0-2 Man United
Theo Aasgard drills a low shot wide for Wigan from outside the penalty area. It wasn’t far away – Andre Onana dived – but the goalkeeper won’t have been unduly worried.
83 mins: Wigan 0-2 Man United
Willy Kambwala, 19, is on for Man United. He’s appeared twice for the club in the Premier League.
82 mins: Wigan 0-2 Man United
Alejandro Garnacho lashes a shot at the near post from the left. Sam Tickle does well to beat it behind.
79 mins: Wigan 0-2 Man United
Wigan have gone almost 45 minutes without attempting a shot. This has been increasingly comfortable for Man United; it would be some turnaround for them not to go through from here.
76 mins: Wigan 0-2 Man United
Sam Tickle can’t keep hold of a dipping low drive by Bruno Fernandes from distance. It dribbles behind in the end, and Wigan clear Fernandes’ corner.
74 mins: GOAL – Wigan 0-2 Man United (Bruno Fernandes)
Man United have a second! Bruno Fernandes turns a precise, emphatic low penalty into the right-hand corner of Sam Tickle’s net as the goalkeeper goes the other way.
Slotted 🏠@B_Fernandes8 scores from the spot for @ManUtd#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/jKbm4tRVzA
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 8, 2024
The United fans at the DW Stadium are in full voice now.
72 mins: Wigan 0-1 Man United
Man United have a penalty! Liam Shaw catches Bruno Fernandes with a trailing leg after the Portugal playmaker turns inside the box.
With VAR absent, Wigan’s appeals against the decision are never going to succeed. One or two home players personally remonstrate with Fernandes, who makes his case to them, seemingly amicably. He’ll line up the spot kick.
71 mins: Wigan 0-1 Man United
Steven Sessegnon hurls Wigan’s throw inside the penalty area. Liam Shaw applies the flick on but Man United clear.
70 mins: Wigan 0-1 Man United
Jordan Jones wins a throw-in for Wigan in a dangerous position on the left, level with Man United’s penalty area.
67 mins: Wigan 0-1 Man United
Wigan try to break. They don’t manage it to any great effect at the first time of asking, but Martial Godo enters the penalty area on the left from the subsequent attack, ending a tricky run by lifting a cross into Andre Onana’s arms.
66 mins: Wigan 0-1 Man United
Bruno Fernandes sends a cross flying through the penalty area. Theo Aasgard’s outstretched boot sees it behind with his studs, and Fernandes creates zero danger with the corner from the other side.
65 mins: Wigan 0-1 Man United
We didn’t mention the first substitution of the game…
59′ 🔄 A first Latics change of the night, as Stephen Humphrys makes way for Josh Magennis…
Go well, Josh 👊
(0-1)#wafc 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/gCt71zwnrX
— Wigan Athletic (@LaticsOfficial) January 8, 2024
63 mins: Wigan 0-1 Man United
Diogo Dalot generously ends the spell of pressure on Wigan by hanging a shot high and wide. United will forgive him that, given how good his goal was.
62 mins: Wigan 0-1 Man United
Raphael Varane can carry on. Wigan initially attack, then Kobbie Mainoo takes a neat touch to tee himself up just outside the penalty area, scything in a low shot which Sam Tickle beats away.
59 mins: Wigan 0-1 Man United
There’s a prolonged break in play while Raphael Varane receives treatment to his face on the floor. He’s got a cut to his nose from that Theo Aasgard thump.
57 mins: Wigan 0-1 Man United
Wigan are almost certainly lucky there isn’t VAR here. Theo Aasgard swings his left arm straight into Raphael Varane’s face behind him as the pair compete for a high ball.
Whether there was intent or not, that’s a nasty whack to the face and not at all necessary.
56 mins: Wigan 0-1 Man United
Good hold-up play by Rasmus Hojlund keeps a Man United attack alive, culminating in Marcus Rashford running the ball out of play inside the penalty area under the attention of Liam Morrison.
53 mins: Wigan 0-1 Man United
Martial Godo has perhaps looked the most likely to score for Wigan so far, and he has a sniff of a chance from a cross at the far post but can’t get an attempt in on goal.
The 20-year-old then curls a fine cross from the left into the centre of the penalty area. No Wigan player is there to meet it.
52 mins: Wigan 0-1 Man United
Bruno Fernandes has a shot from inside the penalty area blocked, then lofts a lovely cross from the left towards Scott McTominay at the far post, who volleys against the side netting.
49 mins: Wigan 0-1 Man United
Marcus Rashford starts the second half as he ended the first: screwing a shot well wide of goal.
46 mins: Wigan 0-1 Man United
Wigan restart the action. A reminder: the winner of this tie will visit Newport County or Eastleigh in the Fifth Round.
Halftime: Wigan 0-1 Man United
An entertaining half comes to a close. Man United should be further ahead, Rasmus Hojlund looking a shadow of his conviction-filled best in the face of a series of presentable chances. Diogo Dalot, however, struck from a far more difficult position, and that’s made the difference so far against a Wigan side who went closest first.
The Latics will want to face less pressure during the second half but they’ve certainly shown their capacity to create chances and seize on United’s defensive uncertainties.
45 mins: Wigan 0-1 Man United
There will be one minute of added time. xG update: it’s 2.31-0.8 in Man United’s favour.
42 mins: Wigan 0-1 Man United
Bruno Fernandes chips a glorious first-time cross from the left on to the head of the rising Scott McTominay in front of goal.
McTominay’s been surprisingly prolific this season but he’s wasteful here, guiding the ball comfortably wide of the far post and holding his head in his hands.
39 mins: Wigan 0-1 Man United
Alejandro Garnacho pummels a shot against the crossbar from outside the penalty area after cutting inside from the right!
Sam Tickle is at full stretch but the force and dip of the strike beats the goalkeeper, who’s relieved as the frame of his goal spares him conceding again.
37 mins: Wigan 0-1 Man United
Promising work by Wigan. Marcus Rashford offers a forward’s challenge on Martial Godo, allowing the hosts to send in a cross from the right.
The ball falls to Charlie Hughes inside the penalty area on the opposite side, and his crashing effort is blocked away.
35 mins: Wigan 0-1 Man United
Rasmus Hojlund misses another excellent opportunity! Marcus Rashford rampages inwards from the left and thunders in a strike which Sam Tickle paws into the Denmark international’s path, which he reacts to by nudging the rebound wide.
Hojlund and Scott McTominay then can’t find the finishing touch when an Alejandro Garnacho shot causes more chaos in front of the Wigan goal.
34 mins: Wigan 0-1 Man United
During the second 15 minutes of this match, more than 48% of the action was in the Wigan third. Man United will feel they should have scored more.
31 mins: Wigan 0-1 Man United
Marcus Rashford dips a shot just wide from distance. In the context of Man United’s recent performances, this first half has been an improvement – albeit with a few scares.
29 mins: Wigan 0-1 Man United
Rasmus Hojlund hits the crossbar! Alejandro Garnacho finds the striker in front of goal with a cross from the right. Hojlund gets there in front of Liam Morrison with a header which has enough power but insufficient accuracy, clumping the woodwork on its way over.
He should have scored that.
27 mins: Wigan 0-1 Man United
A sizeable “ooh” from the home fans as Wigan go close! Stephen Humphrys charges towards the penalty area in the left channel and fizzes a strike towards the far post.
Martial Godo initially appears to be trying to jump out of the way of the ball, perhaps fearing being in an offside position beyond the defence. But replays show he actually applied a flick with the back of his foot to the delivery on its way to going wide.
26 mins: Wigan 0-1 Man United
Sam Tickle has a more straightforward save to make from a shot hit from a similar position to the one from where Marcus Rashford took aim a minute ago.
This time he keeps out an effort from Rasmus Hojlund.
25 mins: Wigan 0-1 Man United
Man United almost have a second! Marcus Rashford runs away to start celebrating after his low shot from inside the box on the right is turned against a post by goalkeeper Sam Tickle, who sends the ball behind him and seemingly on its way over the line.
Tickle retrieves it in the nick of time.
23 mins: Wigan 0-1 Man United
The talk before the game was about whether Man United could make their class tell, although few would have expected Diogo Dalot to be the man to make it happen.
United create an overload on the right. Liam Morrison heads the cross away, and Marcus Rashford plays a pass to Dalot on the edge of the box, who curls a composed finish beyond Sam Tickle’s dive and in at the goalkeeper’s far post.
Wigan can hold their heads high on that one. They’ve defended well but it was a worthy opener against any opponents.
22 mins: GOAL – Wigan 0-1 Man United (Diogo Dalot)
A terrific, precise strike puts Man United ahead!
That’s some finish, @DalotDiogo 😮💨@ManUtd #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/BI8J07iRMJ
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 8, 2024
21 mins: Wigan 0-0 Man United
A crisp passage of passing from Man United sets up Scott McTominay inside the penalty area. From near the penalty spot and markers in front of him, the Scotland midfielder wedges a shot wide of the far post.
20 mins: Wigan 0-0 Man United
You could term this a prolonged spell of Man United pressure now. Sean Clare keeps his concentration and balance to stop Marcus Rashford’s cross from inside the penalty on the left from reaching anyone.
Babajide Adeeko then turns the ball behind for a corner.
18 mins: Wigan 0-0 Man United
Marcus Rashford delivers the corner towards the near post. Theo Aasgard heads behind. United take the resulting corner short, and Sean Clare does well to win the ball back near a corner flag following a Bruno Fernandes delivery.
16 mins: Wigan 0-0 Man United
Jordan Jones is the recipient of a dubious handball decision, gifting Man United a freekick in a useful position on the right.
Wigan clear, then concede a corner on their way to defending an attempted cross towards Rasmus Hojlund.
15 mins: Wigan 0-0 Man United
United go close! Marcus Rashford tricks his markers inside the penalty area on the left, cutting inside and lashing a low shot towards the near post.
Sam Tickle is equal to the effort, descending quickly to turn the ball behind. Wigan clear from the corner, and United are able to start building again from within the centre circle.
14 mins: Wigan 0-0 Man United
Martial Godo looks sharp again, taking advantage of the space he’s afforded beyond the halfway line inside the United half on Wigan’s right.
Stephen Humphrys performs a series of stepovers as he enters the penalty area, then loses the ball. Wigan don’t appear to be lacking the confidence Shaun Maloney wanted to imbue them with.
13 mins: Wigan 0-0 Man United
Home boss Sean Maloney is wearing a Wigan tracksuit top and trousers. He’s making a point to a member of his technical staff watching a screen – by the look of his hand gestures, he might want his players to press more tightly.
11 mins: Wigan 0-0 Man United
Wigan advance dangerously inside the United penalty area again, Sean Clare dribbling his way towards before being dispossessed by Kobbie Mainoo, who does well to stand his ground.
9 mins: Wigan 0-0 Man United
Everybody loves an xG stat and we’re happy to oblige: Wigan’s is 0.31, United’s exactly nowt.
Bruno Fernandes tries to change that with an inswinging cross towards Rasmus Hojlund. The ball loops up and lands under the crossbar, where Sam Tickle catches it.
7 mins: Wigan 0-0 Man United
Andre Onana has already proven his value to Man United with that save from Theo Asgaard, when he made himself big to block the shot.
The goalkeeper has delayed meeting up with Cameroon’s Africa Cup of Nations squad, allowing him to play tonight.
5 mins: Wigan 0-0 Man United
Man United have been on the attack once or twice since that super chance for Wigan. Marcus Rashford sends in a cross from the left, which is headed away by centre-back Charlie Hughes.
3 mins: Wigan 0-0 Man United
Wigan almost score from an electric break! Sean Clare wins possession from Marcus Rashford and skips away on the right, feeding Martial Godo in space in front of him.
Godo supplies a beautiful, swirling low cross, evading Man United’s backline and finding Theo Aasgard at the far post, whose drilled finish is diverted back into his path by Andre Onana at stretch.
Aasgard’s cross is an easy claim for Onana, and the Wigan player crumples to the floor, knowing what a great chance that was, as well as an opportunity to create more danger than he did from the rebound.
1 min: Wigan 0-0 Man United
Visiting manager Erik ten Hag has opted for a grey beanie tonight, matching his beard. He’s on his feet as the game begins, looking typically stern and wearing a black raincoat.
15 mins to kickoff: “When you play against Manchester United, it’s like a cup final,” Wigan manager Shaun Maloney tells ITV Sport. “If Manchester United turn up, then it’ll be tough. If we work harder than United, we have a chance.”
30 mins to kickoff: Heartwarming pre-match fare as Wigan boss Shaun Maloney and his then-boss, Roberto Martinez, discuss the joy of winning the FA Cup when they were at tonight’s underdogs.
Maloney delivered the corner from which Ben Watson scored the only goal of the game on that occasion, sealing victory in the 91st minute. If we’re in for a shade as much drama tonight, this will be a treat.
45 mins to kickoff: Team news! Stephen Humphrys has recovered from a hip issue and is fit for Wigan. United’s strong starting lineup includes Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund, as well as what is likely to be goalkeeper Andre Onana’s last appearance for the club for several weeks because of his involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations.
1 hour to kickoff: Wigan like Mondays. They’ve been victorious in their last five FA Cup games played on a Monday, most recently a 1-0 win over Manchester City in February 2018. Good omen?
1 hour 20 mins to kickoff: Wigan like Mondays. They’ve been victorious in their last five FA Cup games played on a Monday, most recently a 1-0 win over Manchester City in February 2018. Good omen?
1 hour 40 mins to kickoff: Let’s hear from Wigan boss Shaun Maloney, who won this competition as a player for the Latics.
“We can do it,” he told reporters. “We have to create a match which is extremely difficult for Man United. Everyone will expect one result – Manchester United to be very dominant.
“Our players have to feel from me that there is belief in certain moments, and the talent our players have can come to the fore.”
2 hours to kickoff: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News‘ live coverage of today’s FA Cup third round tie between Wigan and Manchester United.
A rare FA Cup away draw for United has sent them on a journey of less than 25 miles from Old Trafford to the DW Stadium, where manager Erik ten Hag can ensure the scrutiny on his position is not intensified by avoiding defeat. United have progressed from this stage of the competition on all but two of their previous 36 attempts.
Wigan’s record is a little ominous for the Dutchman and his underperforming squad: since 2013/14, the third-tier team’s six successes in FA Cup ties against Premier League opponents is the best tally in that respect of any side from outside the top flight.
Wigan vs Man United lineups, team news
Striker Josh Stones, who had found good form during a loan spell at Oldham Athletic, was out for up to three months for Wigan with a foot ligament injury sustained in December.
Forward Stephen Humphrys had been a doubt after being replaced because of a hip issue during Wigan’s home win over Carlisle on December 29 but was fit to start. Midfielder Scott Smith could be out until mid-February with a calf problem he suffered in the same game.
Wigan (4-2-3-1, right to left): Tickle (GK) — Clare, Hughes, Morrison, Sessegnon — Adeeko, Shaw — Godo, Aasgard, Jones — Humphrys
Wigan subs (9): Amos (GK), Smith, Kerr, Carragher, Robinson, Wyke, McManaman, Lang, Magennis.
Andre Onana started as part of a strong United side after the goalkeeper delayed his AFCON call up with Cameroon.
Scott McTominay started, having been used off the bench in the league defeat at Nottingham Forest last time out.
Man United (4-2-3-1 right to left): Onana (GK) — Wan-Bissaka, Evans, Varane, Dalot — McTominay, Mainoo — Rashford, Fernandes, Garnacho — Hojlund
Man United subs (9): Bayindir (GK), Heaton, Kambwala, Bennett, Pellistri, Forson, Shoretire, Hugill, Mejbri.
Wigan vs Man United live stream, TV channel
Here’s how to watch this FA Cup match across selected areas of the world’s major regions:
| Region | TV | Streaming |
| USA | — | ESPN+ |
| Canada | — |
Sportsnet NOW |
| UK | ITV 1, STV | ITVX, STV Player |
| Australia | — | Paramount+ |
| India | — | — |