UK Edition
Manchester United 4 Wigan 0, FA Cup: Mourinho's men through to last 16 with comfortable win
By the end, it looked easy. Jose Mourinho could afford to remove his goalkeeper, Sergio Romero, in order to hand Joel Pereira his Manchester United debut and there was even an over-head kick of sorts from Bastian Schweinsteiger for supporters to toast but don’t be fooled too much by the scoreline.
It may have mirrored the win against Reading in the previous round but United were far less convincing here against a dogged Wigan Athletic than their previous Championship opponents.
Wayne Rooney, who woke to fresh headlines linking him with a money-spinning move to China, was presented with a golden boot before kick-off by Sir Bobby Charlton to commemorate breaking the great man’s club goalscoring record. But that might be the main memory fans take from this game.
United certainly got better as the game wore on and managed to add a little gloss to the scoreline with goals from Henrikh Mkhitaryan and the aforementioned Schweinsteiger after heads from Marouane Fellaini and then Chris Smalling broke Wigan’s resistance but this was not a performance to get too many excited. More than anything, it was a case of job done.
Indeed, the game was only 16 minutes old when Mourinho sent Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcus Rashford, two of his substitutes, to warm up. The United manager has never been afraid to make early changes if he sees fit down the years and he seemed to be sending a clear message to his players that what he was witnessing was not good enough.
It did not get much better for the rest of the first half and Wigan will count themselves unfortunate to have gone into the interval trailing. The goal came on the cusp of half-time. Rooney swept the ball out to Bastian Schweinsteiger on the right and the midfielder hung a cross in the air that was screaming out for Fellaini to attack.
Using all of his 6ft 5in frame to outmuscle Wigan right back Callum Connolly, the Belgian was able to watch the ball intently and nod it past Jakob Haugaard. Fellaini is not everyone’s cup of tea but, in such scenarios, there are not many better.
Warren Joyce’s Under-21 sides at United were invariably built on a solid defensive base that conceded few goals and one need only look at the Wigan manager’s attire - shorts, socks rolled down, boots on - to appreciate what he is about.
His Wigan team were shaped very much in that obdurate image and for a decent chunk of the game they succeeded in frustrating United, even if it helped that Mourinho’s players lacked tempo and looked pedestrian and short of ideas during that underwhelming opening period.
So many of United’s starting XI had played so sparingly this season, at least until two of that number, Timothy Fosu-Mensah (last start Sept. 29) and Schweinsteiger (16 minutes of football in six months), began to find their stride during a much improved second half showing when three more goals made it look a lot easier than it probably was.
Wigan had their chances. Connolly tested Sergio Romero with a thundering volley and Michael Jacobs should have done better when he swiped at thin air with a clear sight of goal from Sam Morsy’s lay-off. Still trailing only 1-0, David Perkins hit a shot straight at Romero after the goalkeeper had inexplicably pushed out a Jacobs cross into the Wigan midfielder’s path.
Luke Shaw looked very much a player who had last featured at the end of November. At one point the United left back ran straight into Connolly and lost the ball and seconds later intercepted well but then turned the ball straight back over, evidence of ring rust but, more than anything, a lack of confidence that won’t be restored until he starts playing regularly.
United’s second and third goals originated from crosses by Anthony Martial, which was probably just as well because the Frenchman’s run-out at centre-forward had lasted little more than half an hour. Martial had been dropped for the previous two matches and warned by Mourinho that he could not keep squandering opportunities but he was well off the pace through the middle and it was little surprise to see the manager shift him left, push Mkhitaryan into the hole and move Rooney upfront.
United were certainly better for the switch. Not scintillating by any stretch but better balanced. Chances were hardly plentiful, but in contrast to the wider narrative this term, they took those opportunities when they did come and Mourinho will at least have been satisfied with the clinical edge shown.
Smalling was too strong for Stephen Warnock when he rose high to head in Martial’s cross shortly before the hour mark and, 17 minutes later, it was 3-0. There had been one quick counter-attacking move in the first half which culminated in Mkhitaryan unable to turn in Fosu-Mensah’s excellent cross but the Armenian was on hand to apply the finishing touch to a similarly slick break.
Schweinsteiger cleared out to Rooney whose lay-off was collected by Mkhitaryan. He surged forward and then fed Martial, who had Wigan’s defence back-pedalling. Mkhitaryan continued his run and was there to slot home Martial’s cross from a few yards out. Goal four came when Rooney whipped over a cross that Ander Herrera nodded down for Schweinsteiger to score with an improved overhead kick from close range.
80 mins
This is a lovely United move and very close to their fourth goal. Martial is disappointed he hasn't managed to record a shot at goal but he does win a corner with a header at the back post.
Mourinho has just substituted the goalkeeper. I don't think I've ever seen that other than when it's necessary through injury.
71 mins
It turns out Fosu-Mensah is coming off now anyway, and in his place is Axel Tuanzebe. One of those highly rated youngsters they have at the club.
Schweinsteiger has had quite a good game by the way. He and Fellaini have taken turns to be the holding midfield player and the other to drift further forward to help link play. When it's build-up, Schweinsteiger goes, when United want to get the ball in the box, Fellaini goes.
56 mins
Mata is lucky to get away with a cynical little trip on Perkins as he tries to start a Wigan attack. Rojo does really well to dispossess Will Grigg, who is about as hot as a campfire in the rain at the moment, and Romero just palms a shot away. Shortly after he comes off his line and makes another weird choice, palming a cross away at the edge of his own box and having to save the rebound. He must just be bored or something.
Martial tries to counter-attack but is blocked by Burn, who is booked.
44 mins
Fosu-Mensah tries to trick his way into space behind the defenders in the box so he can cross the ball in but is stopped twice. United keep coming forward but Wigan drop back into their defensive shape and make it difficult for the attacking players to find any space. Lots of short sideways passing but no penetration - Wigan won't step out of their shape to try and win the ball and are aggressively chasing anyone on the ball.
32 mins
WHAT A MISS! Great play from Man Utd! Martial steams away from his man, running past the half way line and playing in Fosu-Mensah on the right wing. He delivers a superb, powerful cross to the back post and Mkhitaryan has what is essentially an open goal. He puts it wide.
To be fair, it was a difficult chance to take.
29 mins
Fosu-Mensah gets across to left-back (what?!) and makes a clumsy foul, giving Wigan a decent chance to swing the ball into the box. Max Power wants to take it quickly but is denied by the referee.
It's a decent delivery but nobody can take advantage and Mkhitaryan bursts away on the counter. Dan Burn slides in from behind, fouls the winger, and wins a throw in.
25 mins
Rooney is screaming at Luke Shaw and rightly so. He has the ball on the left wing and Shaw absolutely has to make the overlapping run which Rooney is waiting for him to make. He doesn't until Rooney points and then shouts, by which point it's too late. That is incredibly poor reading of the game from Shaw - no wonder Mourinho isn't pleased with how he's getting on if he isn't sussing those bits of play out. That could well be a hangover from the LVG days though because under the Dutchman it would have been Rooney's job to act as wideman.
United put together their first decent bit of play! Mkhitaryan goes down under a challenge in the box and the ball bounces loose to Mata but he blasts over the bar.
22 mins
Man Utd are making basic little errors all over the shop here. And when I say shop I mean pitch, because if they were in shop this would be mad. There would be no room to play at all. Unless it was a massive Tesco and there were no shelves that is.
Anyway here's Wayne Rooney being give a shoe that won't fit him
16 mins
Wigan are waiting to win the ball near their own box and hit on the counter. It's exactly the kind of problem Liverpool have been trying to deal with in the Premier League lately - by sitting this deep and only engaging players in the defensive third, they eliminate space and can break towards fewer defensive players higher up the pitch.
12 mins
Oooooooooohhh Schweinsteiger makes a very poor error of judgement, thinks he has more time than he does and tries to turn away from danger as Smalling tries to take the ball under control. He fouls as the Jacob threatens to break away and from that freekick, Wigan get a shot on goal. Romero saves well.
Magic of the cup
Some people have been saying that the magic of the FA Cup is dying, and I'd agree. Even Championship teams are putting out weakened teams so it's hardly a surprise when lower league clubs beat them.
However. Leeds have just been dumped out of the cup to Sutton, who are in the Conference. That must be incredibly embarrassing for Leeds players but the scenes on the Sutton pitch just now are great. There's a full on pitch invasion.
Former Man Utd player Reece James on returning to Old Trafford
James Ducker spoke to Wigan's Reece James as he prepared to face old club Man Utd.
There were some dark days in the James household last year. Matty James missed the entirety of Leicester City’s remarkable championship-winning campaign after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in the penultimate home game of the previous season. Waiting hand on foot on the crestfallen midfielder was his younger brother, Reece, the Wigan Athletic defender and fellow product of Manchester United’s famed youth academy, at least until the roles were reversed and the junior James sibling succumbed to an injury nightmare of his own. Then it was Matty’s turn to play the role of downtrodden butler in the house they shared in Mere, a Cheshire suburb.
The road back for both has been long and painful but they were able to lean on each other for support and, almost a year after suffering an ankle ligament and tendon problem that required two operations, Reece is finally braced for his comeback for Wigan on Sunday afternoon. He could not have picked a more emotive venue for it. Having never got the opportunity to play at Old Trafford in a competitive match during his three years at United, the left-back is hopeful of getting off the substitutes’ bench in the televised FA Cup fourth-round tie. And watching him in the crowd should be Matty, whose own career got a welcome lift yesterday when he made his first appearance on loan for Barnsley from Leicester.
“It would be amazing for me,” said Reece, 23, talking at Wigan’s Euxton training ground on Friday. “I was unfortunate to miss the friendly in pre-season against United [at the DW Stadium] but this one is even better because it is actually at Old Trafford and it is a game with some meaning behind it. I played for United’s Under-21s in a pre-season game against Valencia at Old Trafford but it was nothing like a full house so if I can get on this weekend it will be something I have always wanted to do.
Team news - Schweinsteiger starts
Jose Mourinho has kept up the trend of not giving a flying monkey's about the FA Cup and is putting out the reserves. Admittedly, Anthony Martial, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Juan Mata are hardly reserves.
Man Utd
Romero; Fosu-Mensah, Smalling, Rojo, Shaw; Fellaini, Schweinsteiger; Mkhitaryan, Mata, Martial; Rooney
Preview
What is it?
It is the FA Cup fourth round match between Manchester United and Wigan Athletic.
Where is it and what time is kick-off?
The match will be hosted by Man Utd at Old Trafford. It is the final FA Cup tie of the round and will kick off at 4pm on Sunday January 29, 2017.
What TV channel is it on?
For their 56th consecutive FA Cup encounter Manchester United will be shown live on TV, namely BBC1. The programme begins at 3.35pm and will be hosted by Gary Lineker. Should you be away from the telly box, you can follow all the action with our live blog on this page.
What is the team news?
David De Gea will be rested for the match, with Anthony Martial and Luke Shaw set to feature.
De Gea is being given a few days off so Sergio Romero will start, but manager Jose Mourinho plans to name a "good team" against the Championship side. The United boss has confirmed Martial and Shaw - the latter is without a first-team appearance since November 30 - will get a chance to impress against Wigan.
Eric Bailly is returning from the African Nations Cup after the Ivory Coast's early exit so could be involved.
Wigan's former Manchester United players Nick Powell and Reece James are injured, and David Perkins and Alex Gibley are both doubts.
Defender Craig Morgan may start after recovering from a groin injury.
What are they saying?
Jose Mourinho has pledged to name a strong line-up, with Anthony Martial and Luke Shaw given the chance to prove themselves.
Martial's happiness has been questioned recently and the United boss confirmed the Frenchman will get a chance to shine on Sunday, having been omitted from the last two match day squads.
Asked how the France international took being left out in the League Cup semi-final second leg against Hull, Mourinho said: "I don't know. I don't speak with the players about how they take it.
"He will play Sunday and if Sunday he plays magnificently, he will play against Hull City in the next match. It's simple."
Shaw is also set to get a chance to prove his worth on Sunday after belatedly returning to the United squad at Hull.
The 21-year-old left-back has not featured since limping off halfway through the EFL Cup quarter-final against West Ham on November 30, but has worked his way back into fitness.
Mourinho confirmed his intention to play Shaw against Wigan, whose manager Warren Joyce knows United better than most.
The 52-year-old was at the club from 2008 until last November, when he left his role as coach of United's reserves to take the hotseat at Wigan.
"I worked at the club with him for just a few months but it was enough to know he is a very nice man, a very passionate football man," Mourinho said of Joyce.
"He took the risk, he accepted the challenge. He left a good situation in the club to try and go to what we call men's football.
"For sure, he'll come with a team very aggressive, very well organised defensively. I will make some changes, that's obvious. I did (against Hull), and I have to do (the same in) the next match.
"We play Hull City again two days after Wigan, but I am going to play with a good team - a team with the responsibility to give the fans a good performance at home and the responsibility to try and win against Wigan."
Joyce does not want his history to be any sort of distraction as Wigan make a welcome return to the big time.
Times have been tough at the DW Stadium since their stunning FA Cup triumph in 2013 was followed days later by relegation.
The Latics reached the semi-finals again the following season but were then relegated to League One and have found life difficult on their return to the Championship.
Back-to-back wins have lifted them out of the relegation zone, and Joyce said of the glamour tie: "I just thought it was a good bit of money for the club, with the transfer window.
"I've got a lot of memories but they're in the past. The future is what happens here at Wigan Athletic.
"It's fantastic for myself, friendships and bonds that I've made with players and staff during that time. You can't put a price on that and they'll live with me forever, and I'll always have that, but the game's not about that, it's about our players and the fans and them having a memory of their own."
Joyce built a strong reputation for his work at Old Trafford and turned down several chances to forge his own managerial career before Wigan came calling.
"It was more of an impossible time when Sir Alex (Ferguson) was there because the people at the club offered you the job because they were looking for somebody who wanted to genuinely develop players and not use the job working at Manchester United to increase their profile and get another job," said Joyce.
"Hopefully the people who employed me at that time would think I served my time and did all the things I was asked to do.
"I certainly know that there were many opportunities to leave and go to Championship clubs or Premier League clubs, either as manager or assistant manager during that time.
"But I think the big secret of Manchester United during that period was everybody at the club was that desperate to do a good job for Sir Alex that it was a pleasure and a privilege to work there."
What are the odds?
Man Utd win: 1/6 Draw: 13/2 Wigan win: 16/1
What's our prediction?
Mourinho's side will go marching on, albeit in unconvincing fashion. A 1-0 win to Manchester United.