So FA, so good for Man

Manchester United eased the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag by ensuring there was no FA Cup thirdround shock in a 20 win at League One Wigan Athletic on MondayDiogo Dalotrsquos firsthalf strike and a controversial penalty from Bruno Fernandes secured Unitedrsquos first away win since November The Red Devils were also handed a favourable fourth round draw against either nonleague Eastleigh or Newport County of League Two in Mondayrsquos drawThis competition represents Unitedrsquos final shot at silverware this season and could prove a lifeline for Ten Hag with his side struggling in the Premier League and already dumped out of Europe ldquoThe FA Cup is all about winning it is knockout You want to finish the jobrdquo said Ten Hag ldquoThat is what I said in the dressing room lsquojob done rsquo rdquoEasy victoryThe visitors were rarely troubled at the DW Stadium bar an early effort from Thelo Aasgaard that tested Andre Onana who had stayed behind for two more United matches before heading off for Cameroonrsquos Africa Cup of Nations campaignUnited slowly started to take control as Sam Tickle produced a brilliant save to deny Marcus Rashford before Scott McTominay prodded inches wideRashford has shown flashes of finding his form in recent weeks and it was from the England internationalrsquos pass that Dalot curled into the far corner on 22 minutesUnited should have had the tie wrapped up by halftime as Rasmus Hojlund thundered a header off the crossbar before Alejandro Garnachorsquos speculative effort also came back off the woodworkldquoIn the first half I think we created five or six very good chances I think it was very good footballrdquo added Ten HagldquoWe should have taken more but if you donrsquot score you have to stay focused and I think we did that tonightrdquoAlso Read United must man upPenalty call questionableWhen the second goal did finally come 16 minutes from time Wigan felt aggrieved as Fernandes made the most of minimal contact from Liam Shaw Fernandes rubbed salt into the home sidersquos wounds as he then coolly dispatched the resulting penalty to ward off any remaining hope of a giant killing Next up United will aim to take some positive momentum into their twoweek Premier League winter break when Tottenham visit Old Trafford on SundayTen Hagrsquos men desperately need to win to close a ninepoint gap on the top four if they are to maintain aspirations of returning to the Champions League next season And the Dutch coach believes there is a fresh air of optimism around the club following British billionaire Jim Ratcliffersquos acquisition of a 25 per cent stake in the clubldquoItrsquos an inspiration Everyone is optimistic Therersquos a lot of work to do Itrsquos a journey itrsquos a project and we have had to deal with some setbacks but we will keep alive survive it and strike backrdquo said Ten HagThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever