Manchester United finally returned to winning ways away from home and booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup with a comfortable 2-0 win at Wigan Athletic.
United had only lost once in their previous 19 games against Wigan but could scarcely afford another defeat given their abysmal recent run of results and success in the FA Cup could be the only way to salvage something from this nightmare of a season.
Ten Hag named his strongest side possible against the League One strugglers and despite a nervy start they dominated the first half, taking a deserved lead with a fine curling effort from Diogo Dalot while Rasmus Hojlund missed three chances, one of which was an absolute sitter, and Alejandro Garnacho hammered the bar.
United eased off a bit in the second half and their lead looked slender until Bruno Fernandes made sure of the victory, winning a penalty with some nifty footwork and burying the ball in the net from the spot. He scarcely celebrated the goal, a demonstration that a win was the most basic requirement. At least United got it, earning their first victory away from Old Trafford since beating Everton in November.
GOAL rates Man United’s players from the DW Stadium..