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Martin Rickett
AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Man United v Wigan, FA Cup fourth round

Man United took on Wigan, as the Red Devils attempted to stay in with a chance of retaining the trophy they won last season.

Hello, and welcome to todayt’s liveblog.

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We’re underway…

It’s been a quiet enough opening.

As expected Man United are dominating possession and territory.

Chance for Wigan!

Connolly gets on the end of a free kick and forces Romero into a save with a powerful half volley.

Wigan have started this game well and look comfortable at the moment.

United, by comparison, have begun sluggishly and have been producing far too many aimless sideways passes.

Manchester United v Wigan Athletic - Emirates FA Cup - Fourth Round - Old Trafford Pictured prior to kick-off, Manchester United's Wayne Rooney (left) alongside Sir Bobby Charlton during a trophy presentation for becoming Manchester United's top goal scorer. Martin Rickett Martin Rickett

Man United have had 70% of the possession so far.

The problem is that they’ve had the majority of it in front of a stubborn Wigan backline, with no clear-cut chances created by the hosts yet.

Decent ball in by Shaw. The ball breaks to Mata on the edge of the box, and the Spaniard shoots well over on the half volley.

United’s search for a shot on target continues.

As has been pointed out in the comments section, Wigan have a player by the name of Max Power in their side.

Fans of The Simpsons will be impressed…

fortchick / YouTube

Big chance for United!

Fosu-Mensah gallops down the right and plays the ball across goal.

Mkhitaryan, however, fails to connect properly with his finish, and the ball goes off target from close range.

Half chance for Wigan. Morsy plays it to Jacobs, who completely miscues his shot from the edge of the area.

The Championship strugglers have had more attempts than United and have generally looked a bigger threat going forward.

MAN UNITED 1-0 WIGAN (FELLAINI 44)

Out of nothing, Unuted take the lead, and it’s as simple a goal as you’ll see.

Schweinsteiger flights in an inviting cross, and Fellaini outmuscles Connolly before heading the ball home at the far post.

HALF-TIME: MAN UNITED 1-0 WIGAN

Half-time and it’s been a far from convincing performance from United’s reserves.

For much of the first half, the hosts struggled to create chances, and Wigan even looked the bigger threat going forward at times.

That said, you always suspected United could go up a gear, and so it proved eventually.

Schweinsteiger delivered a perfect cross for a typical Fellaini goal, with the imposing midfielder heading home powerfully.

Here’s a look at that Fellaini goal.

FootyGoalHQ / YouTube

Wigan’s defenders clearly felt there was an infringement in the build up.

The second half is underway…

Britain Soccer FA Cup Manchester United's Marouane Fellaini celebrates. Rui Vieira Rui Vieira

A mistake by Burn allows Rooney to play through Fosu-Mensah.

However, the youngster scuffs his shot from a tight angle.

Good save by Romero after a poor mistake initially.

The goalkeeper’s attempted clearance is awful, before he does well to stop David Perkins’ driven shot.

MAN UNITED 2-0 WIGAN (SMALLING 57)

Martial lofts the ball across the box and Smalling gives the goalkeeper no chance with an unstoppable header.

Surely that’s game over now.

Here’s a look at the second goal…

TV10 HD / YouTube

This game has the feel of an exhibition match now.

‘Are you watching Liverpool?’ is the inevitable chant from the home fans.

Blow for Man United as Fosu-Mensah falls awkwardly after going up for a header.

The youngster is unable to continue and he is replaced by Tuanzebe.

Fellaini is replaced by Herrera. The Belgian international has shown how effective he can be today when utilised properly.

Meanwhile, ex-Man United youngster Ryan Tunnicliffe has replaced Will Grigg for Wigan.

As I type, Rooney crosses for Mkhitaryan, but the Armenia international can’t get a clean strike on the ball.

Connolly gets free at a free kick, but his header is weak and straight at Romero.

That’s a reminder that Man united can’t get overly complacent.

MAN UNITED 3-0 WIGAN (MKHITARYAN 74)

United punish Wigan on the counter to effectively end the game as a contest.

Martial puts the ball on a plate for the onrushing Mkhitaryan, and the attacking midfielder makes no mistake with his finish from close range.

19-year-old Marcus Browne comes on for Wigan and almost scores with his first touch.

After United’s defence fail to clear their lines, his shot from the edge of the box is deflected just wide.

Here’s a look at the third United goal…

GOLAZO HD / YouTube

MAN UNITED 4-0 WIGAN (SCHWEINSTEIGER 80)

Schweinsteiger makes it four.

It’s a nice finish, as Rojo heads a corner into his path, and the German acrobatically steers the ball into the net.

Immediately after the goal, the camera pans to Mourinho, who smiles wryly.

FULL-TIME: MAN UNITED 4-0 WIGAN

Our match report of the game is now live.

Read it here.

Right, that’s all from me.

Thanks for reading and commenting, and we’ll have more reaction to follow.

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