Report by SJG

F. A. CUP

WIGAN ATHLETIC vs MANCHESTER UNITED

8^th January 2024

LATICS PUSH UNITED ALL THE WAY BEFORE DUBIOUS PENALTY.

Latics made two changes with Humphrys and Aasgaard replacing Magennis and Lang, Jason Kerr made a welcome return to the matchday squad and took a spot on the bench after over a year out of the game with injury.

A full house welcomed the two teams and it was Latics who had the first chance as Godo broke free on the right and swung a deep cross to Aasgaard at the far post. The young Norwegian struck a first-time effort, and only a sprawling save by the United keeper kept the scores level.

The visitors did start to settle and they were seeing the majority of the possession as Wigan probably allowed them too much time and space. Rashford was looking lively and a jinking run saw him find some space in the Wigan area but Tickle made himself big and was able to smuggle the ball away to safety.

McTominay then had a glancing effort that beat Tickle but it passed harmlessly beyond the far post.

On the 22-minute mark Rashford played a short pass to DALOT and the full back curled a fine shot from the edge of the box around the defenders and past the unsighted Tickle. United continued to have the better of the play with Rashford testing Tickle with a dipping shot, before Garnacho had a snap shot that thundered against the crossbar before bouncing to safety.

Half Time; Wigan Athletic 0-1 Manchester United.

Latics had the first chance after the break when Aasgaard, following some quick thinking at a throw in, found space to drive in a cross and Godo just failed to get the telling touch as the ball flew across the six-yard-box. McTominay had another half chance when a ball fell to him in the area but Hughes was able to block his shot. Godo then had a chance to break against the United defenders but Mainoo, underlined his promise as a future star, by recovering well and closing down the Wigan winger. The second goal arrived on 74 minutes and was shrouded in controversy. Shaw was very harshly adjudged to have brought down Fernandes inside the box and United were awarded the softest of soft penalties.

FERNANDES, picked himself up and slotted away the spot kick.

The decision robbed the crowd of what was building up into an exciting last quarter, as United set about seeing out time in the knowledge that they had the two-goal cushion. Latics nearly pulled one back when Aasgaard dummied his way into space and got away a shot that passed inches wide with the keeper wrong-footed.

Full Time; Wigan Athletic 0-2 Manchester United.

Scorers; Dalot (22), Fernandes (74, pen);

Attendance; 22,870

WIGAN (4-2-3-1) --- Tickle; Clare, Hughes, Morrison, Sessegnon; Shaw, Adeeko; Godo, Aasgaard, Jones; Humphrys; Subs; Magennis, McManaman, J. Smith, Lang;

MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1) --- Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Evans, Dalot; McTominay, Mainoo; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund; Subs; Kambwala, Pellistri, Forson, Mejbri;

Referee; Mr. Anthony Taylor (Manchester).