Wigan Athletic, known for their FA Cup upset against Manchester City in 2013, face an even steeper challenge as they gear up against Manchester United in this third-round tie. Back when Wigan lifted the FA Cup, they were a Premier League outfit, but a defeat to Arsenal shortly after saw them relegated.
Now, they’re in a precarious position in League One, teetering just above the relegation zone and facing the threat of back-to-back relegations if their fortunes don’t improve.
Shaun Maloney, once celebrated as a coach under Roberto Martinez for Belgium, has found the transition to management tough. His stint at Hibernian was short-lived, and now he’s feeling the heat at Wigan. A miraculous FA Cup victory could be just what he needs to turn opinions in his favor.
In the other dugout, Erik ten Hag is also under immense pressure. His tenure at Manchester United started promisingly with a League Cup win and a top-four finish. However, this season has been a series of setbacks, with 14 losses already. The FA Cup remains his only shot at redemption this season, as United are out of European competitions and trailing in the Premier League.
Manchester United’s recent 2-1 loss to Nottingham Forest adds to ten Hag’s woes, and a defeat to Wigan might just be the final straw.
Given Wigan’s struggle for form, it’s unsurprising to see them as 14/1 underdogs. Manchester United is the clear favourite at 1/4.
Josh Magennis brings a wealth of international experience with Northern Ireland and has scored six times this season. He’s 13/2 at Bet365 to score against United.
For Manchester United, Alejandro Garnacho has been a standout performer. Despite a disappointing game in Nottingham, he’s tipped for a goal here at 2/1 with Bet365.
Additional Tips Manchester United’s defensive record isn’t stellar, with just one clean sheet in their last nine games, making BTTS a tempting bet at 5/4..
