It didn’t help that the home team came dangerously close to taking the lead after only five minutes, as Manchester United is in desperate need of rallying the supporters. Martial Godo cut down the right side and threw a tease ball to Thelo Aasgaard, who struck a close-range shot directly at Andre Onana. 

After a rampaging run through United’s defence, Sean Clare was unlucky to see his stride forward abruptly halted by Raphael Varane.

On the opposite end, though, Sam Tickle produced a superb close-range save to deny Marcus Rashford’s low effort that cut inside. A few minutes later, Scott McTominay received the ball from Bruno Fernandes, but he managed to mishit his close-range attempt, missing the far corner.

However, after 22 minutes, Erik ten Hag’s team applied more pressure and won, taking the lead. Marcus Rashford was on the far post when Alejandro Garnacho’s cross into the box found him. The Englishman then passed the ball to Diogo Dalot, who curled it past Sam Tickle for the first goal. 

Moments later, Marcus Rashford appeared to have added a second goal when he struck the ball, but replays revealed that it had barely missed the goal. Sam Tickle had dropped the ball. Rasmus Hojlund then headed a cross from close range that went barely over the crossbar, but Tickle remained unfazed.

Rashford should also feel unfortunate that a free kick that ricocheted just short of Sam Tickle’s far corner did not end up in the goal. The forward for Manchester United then blasted a similar shot at goal to Diogo Dalot’s opening attempt, but Sam Tickle palmed the ball out to Hojlund, who was unable to bundle it in from a few yards out for some reason. It was particularly unlucky for Alejandro Garnacho to see a fantastic long-range attempt denied by the crossbar.

The Scottish international missed the mark with his header at the back post after Bruno Fernandes’ excellent play down the left side, much to the dismay of his United teammates.

Rashford looked threatening at the DW Stadium, and his first shot on goal in the second half whistled just wide of the far post from long-range. Later in the second half, Kobbie Mainoo would also cause Sam Tickle to make a nice stop.

Bruno Fernandes was brought down by Liam Shaw in the Wigan box with less than 20 minutes remaining, and referee Anthony Taylor awarded a penalty. After that, Fernandes took over at the distance of 12 yards, easily finishing beyond Sam Tickle to guarantee Manchester United’s spot in the FA Cup’s fourth round.

With ten minutes remaining, Rashford might have made it three for United, but Sam Tickle in the Wigan goal easily stopped his meek attempt. A few moments later, the Latics goalie again denied Alejandro Garnacho.

The teams will return to league action the following weekend when Wigan Athletic visits Northampton Town on Saturday at 3 p.m. and Manchester United travels to the south to play Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday at 4:30 p.m.