Shaun Maloney had wanted to know whether the team he supported as a boy could outfight and outplay the side he coaches in adulthood. The answer was a resounding yes, unfortunately for the Wigan Athletic manager, as Manchester United avoided a third round upset and further torment for Erik ten Hag with a professional job at the DW Stadium.
A fine finish from Diogo Dalot and the softest of penalties for Bruno Fernandes secured United a fourth round trip to either League Two Newport County or Eastleigh of the National League. The visitors dominated Wigan, who were hoping for another FA Cup scalp in front of their biggest home attendance for a decade but only seriously threatened one from their first attack. The gulf between the Premier League and League One told, though Wigan were spared greater punishment by United’s profligacy in front of goal.
