Emirates FA Cup Round 3 Match Review – Wigan Athletic vs Manchester United: A Job Done (Well?)
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After defeating Wigan Athletic 2-0 on Monday, Manchester United advances to the FA Cup fourth round, where they will play either League Two team Newport County or non-league Eastleigh. Bruno Fernandes stumbled in the penalty area and won a spot kick. His perfect penalty and an incredible long-range strike from Diogo Dalot were enough to seal the victory for the visitors, who had squandered a slew of other opportunities.
Wigan Athletic were eliminated by Manchester United, who moved on to the FA Cup’s fourth round thanks to goals from Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes, who combined for 33 shots.
At the DW Stadium, where they were playing their first away FA Cup game in three years, United were completely in control and may have had a four- or five-goal lead at the interval.
As it happened, 2013 champions Wigan were still in the game until Fernandes scored a contentious penalty kick in the 74th minute. Referee Anthony Taylor’s call was made without the use of video assistants, as the United captain was brought down under extremely weak challenge.
Wigan created the first meaningful opportunity of the match, but United continued to chip away at their League One rivals, allowing Dalot to take a well-earned lead in the 22nd minute.
Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund would later miss the crossbar in a first half that saw 17 United attempts with just one goal to demonstrate their dominance.
After the half, United strove desperately to end the game, but Fernandes’ penalty ultimately decided the tie.
It was a weird match. Although United has advanced to the fourth round and avoided an upset, their confidence in front of goal will scarcely have increased on a night when they should have scored more goals.
Especially for Hojlund, who wasted a few chances in the opening half of the match, a little more than a week after that seeming breakthrough moment against Aston Villa.
Ally McCoist of TNT Sports felt that Hojlund should have performed better, but Roy Keane did not back down at halftime. “I’d be fuming with him. They’ve brought their habits in from the Premier League in terms of missing chances and not being clinical. With your striker, we can say unlucky all day, they’re great opportunities, put the ball in the back of the net, stop messing about!” said Keane. Although Hojlund wasn’t exactly “messing around,” Keane never backs down from a debate, and this match will be remembered as a lost chance for the Dane to gain some momentum.
At times, it felt like a practice session, with Kobbie Mainoo shining in midfield and Marcus Rashford, Fernandes, and Garnacho all looking sharp. Mainoo finishes at a stretch for yet another cool, collected performance that far exceeds his 18 years of age and football experience.
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News11 January 2024Emirates FA Cup Round 3 Match Review – Wigan Athletic vs Manchester United: A Job Done (Well?)
