Wigan Athletic host Manchester United at DW Stadium in the concluding Third Round tie in 2023-24 FA Cup.
Victory would see Wigan reach the Fourth Round for the second time in three seasons, whilst Man Utd look to move beyond this stage for a tenth consecutive season – having last lost in this round in the 2013-14 campaign.
Team News
Stephen Humphrys is a doubt for Wigan after he missed their League One draw at Barnsley with a hip injury.
Scott Smith (calf) is unlikely to feature but Tom Pearce (knee) and Jason Kerr (foot) remain absent.
Man Utd will be without Sofyan Amrabat after he was called up by Morocco for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Luke Shaw (muscle) is a doubt but Anthony Martial and Rasmus Hojlund (both illness) could return.
Goalkeeper – Andre Onana is still with the squad after he was given permission by Cameroon to stay with Utd for this match and their league clash against Tottenham, before he joins up with his national team for the AFCON.
Victor Lindelof (knock), Lisandro Martinez (foot), Harry Maguire (muscle), Casemiro (hamstring), Mason Mount (calf), Tyrell Malacia (knee) and Jadon Sancho (personal) remain sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Wigan host Man Utd at the DW Stadium in a 8:15pm GMT kick-off on Monday 8 January, live on ITV1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Wigan lost their only previous FA Cup tie against Man Utd by a 4-0 result at Old Trafford in the Fourth Round of the 2016-17 edition.
- Man Utd are playing away to Wigan for the first time in the FA Cup but have won seven of eight previous visits in all competitions (W7, L1).
- Wigan have lost two of their last three home matches against Man Utd by a 4-0 result, either side of a 1-0 home win in April 2012.
- Wigan have won four of their last five home ties against Premier League opposition in the FA Cup (W4, L1).
- Man Utd are unbeaten in 17 away ties against lower-league opposition in the FA Cup this century (W15, D2).
Prediction
Although Wigan’s immediate focus is on their battle for League One survival, they can’t be underestimated with just two losses in their last 10 home games in all competitions given their strong goalscoring form with just three blanks at home.
Man Utd meanwhile are just too unpredictable to call because after beating Aston Villa on Boxing Day from behind, they were back to their toothless best in a lacklustre defeat at Nottingham Forest but I do expect Erik Ten Hag to field a strong team here where they’re favourites.
Saying that, Ten Hag need his Red Devils to find their clinical end product because they’re winless in their last five away matches in all competitions, including failure to score in three of their last four games on the road which is a concern coming into this potential banana skin tie.
I however just can’t see Man Utd losing this because despite their injury crisis, they still have players like Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford who should surely get the job done.
Prediction: Wigan 0-2 Manchester United
Result: Wigan 0-2 Manchester United
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