Wigan-Manchester United is a match valid for the third round of the FA Cup and is played Monday at 9:15 p.m.: odds, predictions, TV and streaming.
Last season the domestic cups were something of a consolation for Manchester United. The Red Devils in February triumphed in the League Cup, returning to win a trophy after a six-year abstinence. And in June they went within a whisker of a “one-two punch,” stopped in the FA Cup final by their cousins Manchester City, who within days would pull off the so-called Treble by winning the coveted Champions League.
In a year, the current one, that is now taking an increasingly ugly turn, even the minor cups could become a lifeline for Bruno Fernandes and his teammates, protagonists despite themselves of a truly disastrous first part of the season. Manchester United finished last in the Champions League group and is out of Europe. In the league it is only eighth, -9 behind fourth-placed Arsenal and, as if that were not enough, it can no longer defend its title in the League Cup. The FA Cup is therefore the last chance to avoid running out of trophies. But also a way to secure a place in the next European cups if things continue to go wrong in the Premier League. Despite multiple failures, Erik ten Hag is still in place: the Dutch coach survived even defeat, yet another season, with Nottingham Forest, who got the better of the Red Devils 2-1 in their last match of 2023.
The FA Cup to try to get going again
The challenge at the City Ground immediately brought United fans back down to earth, convinced that the victory against Aston Villa a few days earlier could be the turning point.
That was not the case and it is normal, now, to harbor some doubts ahead of the cup match with Shaun Maloney’s Latics, struggling not to relegate to League One, the third tier of the English soccer system. Wigan is 18th, boasting a four-point margin over the red zone, but has had to deal with a hefty 8-point penalty for violating EFL rules since the start of the season and the resulting market freeze.
Ten Hag will field a competitive lineup: in goal is Onana-the goalkeeper will reach his Cameroonian training camp are at the last minute-while in attack Hojlund will be supported by Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes and Rashford. January, however, should be the month of United’s returns, including those of Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro.
The Prediction
Manchester United is in no condition to take this match lightly: the match against Wigan is unlikely to hold any surprises. Likely, however, the hosts will puncture the Red Devils’ fragile defense on at least one occasion.
The probable lineups of Wigan-Manchester United
WIGAN (4-2-3-1): Tickle; Clare, Hughes, Morrison, Sessegnon; Shaw, Adeeko; McManaman, Lang, Godo; Magennis.
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Evans, Dalot; McTominay, Mainoo; Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2