Erik ten Hag set his sights on a return to Wembley in the FA Cup after Manchester United held off the challenge of Wigan Athletic to reach the fourth round on Monday night.
Last season’s beaten finalists set up an away trip to non-league Eastleigh or Newport County with a 2-0 win at the DW Stadium thanks to Diogo Dalot’s first-half strike and a Bruno Fernandes penalty.
‘It’s a massive competition that everyone wants to win,’ said Ten Hag. ‘Every manager is eager to win it – we take this seriously.
‘You never underestimate any opponent, definitely not this side. You know they will fight for their life because it’s the game of their life. We took the game very good.’
Erik ten Hag set his sights on a return to Wembley in the FA Cup after United beat Wigan
Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes both scored to see Man United win the game 2-0 on Monday
Manchester United (pictured on Monday night) were beaten by Man City in the FA Cup final last time around but are looking to get revenge this time
Ten Hag welcomed back £72million summer signing Rasmus Hojlund after illness but the Dane had a night to forget as he missed a string of chances.
It brought stinging criticism from former United captain Roy Keane who was working as a pundit for ITV.
‘I’d be fuming with him,’ said Keane. ‘They brought their habits from the Premier League into tonight in terms of missing chances, not being clinical.
‘I want to see that side of United tonight. With the striker, he’s missing his chances, so we can say, “unlucky, oh dear”. Create opportunities, put them in the back of the net, stop messing about!’
Wigan of League One were also grateful to goalkeeper Sam Tickle for keeping them in the game with some excellent saves.
Manager Shaun Maloney said: ‘We relied on our goalkeeper a lot. Sam had some brilliant moments and the two centre-backs were brilliant.
‘He is a brilliant shot-stopper. When I first came in, I realised we had something special. It is amazing for our club to have a goalkeeper in the England Under 21 team. Long may it continue. I think it will.
‘United are a really good team with the ball. Their attacking players when they are on their game are some of the best in the Premier League.’
Manchester City pictured celebrating their FA Cup win over Manchester United (above)
Ten Hag welcomed back £72million summer signing Rasmus Hojlund after illness but the Dane had a night to forget as he missed a string of chances
