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Match Report: Manchester United 4-0 Wigan

  • United through to the last 16 of FA Cup
  • Bastian Schweinsteiger made his first competitive start for United in over a year
  • Wigan coach Warren Joyce has coached several of the players who appeared for United

On a weekend of upsets and shocks, with non-league and lower league sides defeating heavyweights from the championship and premier league, it would not have been surprising if Wigan Athletic had continued the tide of upsets and beaten Manchester United at Old Trafford. However, United, with this in mind, played with an assured confidence that was lacking in some of the other sides, and on the basis of this performance, the Reds must surely be the favourite to hold the trophy they won under previous manager, Louis Van Gaal.

Wigan athletic started off playing very well, with United looking nervous at first. The Wigan defence had very little to do until just before half time. Schweinsteiger, playing in his first United game since being left out by Mourinho, put in a wonderful cross which found the head of Marouane Fellaini, who put it past the keeper as Old Trafford erupted. Fellaini has been somewhat of a pantomime villain for United fans, but after recent crucial goals for the team, including the effective winner in the previous EFL cup game,  he must be feeling pretty good.

The floodgates opened in the second half. Chris Smalling scored another header to leave Wigan reeling, with Mikhitaryan scoring the 3rd goal. Schweinsteiger bagged the 4th with a wonderful overhead kick to secure the game. Wigan tried to respond after the first goal but left themselves open with lots of space for the United players to exploit, especially Mikhitaryan who was voted man of the match. United go through and will be feeling very confident about picking up at least a couple of trophies this season, whilst Wigan Athletic can once again turn their attention to remaining in the championship.

Player Ratings:

Manchester United:

Sergio Romero: (6) Nearly caused a howler in the first half when he made a mess of a long range shot, but subsequently saved well on the rebound. Besides that had very little to do as Wigan rarely threatened.

Luke Shaw: (5) Was energetic at times but quality and final ball was lacking from him.

Marcus Rojo: (6) A fairly average performance from the United defender. His movement for the Smalling goal was his most notable contribution.

Chris Smalling: (7) Scored a lovely headed goal. Did not allow dangerman Will Griggs any space to score.

Bastian Schweinsteiger: (8) Showed that form is temporary, class is permanent. Dictated play in the midfield, his pass for the Fellaini goal was truly sublime. Will give Jose Mourinho a bit of a headache about whether to play the former Germany captain more often.

Henrik Mkhitaryan: (9). Man of the match, got forward whenever he could, scored a lovely goal and combined well with Schweinsteiger and Mata.

Juan Mata: (7) Creative when the ball was at his feet. Did struggle to find space and was marked well by the Wigan defence.

Timothy Fosu-Mensah: (6) Put in some excellent crosses before being taken off with a knock

Marouane Felaini: (8). Played very well, scored the crucial goal before half time that probably won United the game. From pantomime villain to hero.

Anthony Martial: (7) Responded to criticism with a great performance in the second half, helping to set up two goals: however his first half performance was lamentable and his body language was poor.

Wayne Rooney: (7) United record goalscorer did what he has been doing as of late, and proved to be a reliable link between defence and midfield.

Subs: Joel Pereira (6), A Tuanzebe (6), Ander Herrera (7).

Wigan Athletic

Jacob Hauugaard: (6). Could do nothing about most of the United goals.

Calum Connoly: (4) Struggled to deal with the United pace and was given a torrid time by Martial in the second half.

Jake Buxton: (5) Another who struggled defensively as United pressed the back line hard.

Dan Burn: (5) Poor defending for the Mkhitaryan goal.

Stephen Warnock: (6). The captain defended well for his team in the first half. In the second half he tried to get forward but was stretched by United. Booked for a silly tackle.

Shaun Macdonald: (5) Struggled to get or keep the ball.

David Perkins: (6) Showed promise on the few occasions he was able to run with the ball.

Max Power: (5) Struggled in central midfield as Schweinsteiger dictated play for United.

Sam Morsy: (5) Lacked the bit of quality needed to set up Griggs up front.

Michael Jacobs: (6). One of the better performers, had pace but rarely threatened the United back line.

Will Griggs: (7). The dangerman. Was marked all night by Chris Smalling, who did not allow him the space to run and shoot. Struggle to get the ball off United as did the rest of his team. Work rate is unquestionable as he never stopped working hard.

Subs: Ryan Tuncliffe (7), Yanic Wildschutt (7), Macrus Browne (7)