Manchester United put an end to its results crisis and headed to Wigan Stadium to win 2-0 in the third round of the FA Cup. Diogo Dalot, with his brilliance, paved the way for an easy victory for coach Eric Thiem Hague's team over the humble team that ranks 18th in the English third division. Bruno Fernandes then confirmed the visitors' victory by scoring a penalty kick, which he won himself.
Watch the match film and goal videos
The Old Trafford team reached this match after suffering four defeats, one draw, and only one victory in the last six matches. Despite the poor results, the Dutch coach made only two changes to the usual lineup, with the addition of McTominay and Hoglund, at the expense of Eriksen and Anthony, with a very young bench, without strong alternatives.
With a wonderful atmosphere in the stands, in a stadium whose tickets were sold for the first time in eleven years, the match began with great fear for the guests, as Godot crossed from the right side for Asgard's shot at the second post. To a tight save by Onana… After that, the match became one-way, but with United shaking every time they lost the ball, revealing many difficulties in defensive transitions.
But the truth was that United had a lot of possession and were playing closer and closer to Wigan's goal, and the chances were coming one after another. McTominay, through a pass from Bruno Fernandes, was very close to opening the scoring, but that “honor” fell to Diogo Dalot, in the 21st minute, in a move that began with a cross from Bruno Fernandes from the right side, and then Rashford continued late to enter the area, as Dalot appeared on the right. The ball before sending it into the back net.
A good goal for United, who gained confidence and tightened their grip on humble Wigan, who were no longer able to play. Chances multiplied until the end of the first half, most notably Hoglund's header that hit the post and another shot from Jarnacho that also hit the crossbar.
Bruno Fernandes wins a penalty kick and makes it 2-0
The second half started in much the same way, with United pushing Wigan close to their own area, again with high possession and high blocks. The Wigan coach is still trying to make a difference in the match, with a change in attack, with the entry of Magennis, but it is United who have tightened their grip.
The Old Trafford team had already wasted a new wave of opportunities, when Bruno Fernandes, dribbling, was brought down inside the penalty area in the 73rd minute by Shaw. The penalty was converted into 2-0 by the Portuguese, this time, without the traditional jump.
With this second goal, United felt calm, as did Tim Hagg, who started managing the eleven with the addition of several young players who were on the bench. It was more than decided.
Meanwhile, the draw for the fourth round, corresponding to the round of 32, has been made, putting another reachable opponent in United's way: the winner of the clash between Newport County (4th tier) and Eastleigh (5th tier).
