- Since relegation from the Premier League in 2013, Wigan have beaten six top-flight sides
- Manchester United have lost only two of their last 38 third-round ties 
- Recommended bet: Wigan +2 spread

Manchester United’s mixed season has continued to follow that same trend in the past two weeks, beating Premier League high-flying Aston Villa before being defeated 2-1 by strugglers Nottingham Forest in their very next fixture. 

Inconsistency has been the running theme of the Red Devils' season and they will not be entirely full of confidence heading to Wigan for this FA Cup third-round tie on Monday, despite their hosts' league position of 17th in England’s third tier. 

An upset would not be off-trend for United, based on their dismal crashing out of the Champions League group stage, but they still rate a far stronger side than the Latics and should progress from this tie, albeit not easily.

Team news

Tom Pearce and Jason Kerr have been ruled out for Wigan, while Stephen Humphrys and Scott Smith are also doubts and could miss out for the hosts. 

Goalkeeper Andre Onana was called up for the Africa Cup of Nations but has been allowed to stay with Manchester United for now and is available for this match, unlike midfielder Sofyan Ambrabat who has joined up with Morocco. 

Amrabat misses out alongside a long list of injured players made up of Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount and Anthony Martial — although most of those absentees are expected to return in the near future.

 Rasmus Hojlund should feature after recovering from an illness that saw him miss the defeat to Forest. 

The stats

Since being relegated from the top flight, Wigan have progressed from more ties (6) against Premier League opposition than any other side from outside the top division.

Manchester United have lost only two of their last 38 third-round ties.

The Latics have kept four clean sheets in their last five home games, conceding just once in that run.

The Red Devils won the last FA Cup meeting between the sides 4-0, back in 2017.

Wigan have won only one of their last five fixtures.

United have won only one game in their last six, failing to score in four consecutive matches during that run.

Prediction

Whilst Premier League giants Manchester United will likely end up being too strong for their League One hosts, 2013 FA Cup champions Wigan may have enough to keep it respectable at the DW Stadium or even cause a shock. 

The Latics have performed better than any other lower-league side in the FA Cup in recent years, progressing from ties with Premier League opposition six times since being relegated in 2013, more than any other side from outside the top flight.

They have also kept four clean sheets in their last five home games, conceding just once in that run, suggesting they may have enough to keep a United side who recently went four consecutive matches without scoring at bay for large parts of this tie. 

The Red Devils may have only won one of their last six matches, but they are usually brilliant in this competition and have only been eliminated in the third round twice in the past 38 seasons. 

United will likely win this, but Wigan will make life difficult and their defence could frustrate the visitors, suggesting the result could be a close one — with the Latics at +2 on the spread making great appeal. 

Back Wigan +2 spread (3 way) at evens with LiveScore Bet.

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