The Red Devils edged closer to their F.A Cup title defence ambitions, as they secured an emphatic 4 – 0 win over Wigan Athletic on Sunday evening at the Old Trafford, booking a place in the 5th round ahead of Monday’s draws.
Despite being a largely 2nd string starting XI, Manchester United’s earlier struggles in the game came to an end with a minute to the end of first half as Marouane Fellaini powered a powerful header into the visitors’ goal following a Schweinsteiger cross.
Things got much more easier when play restarted, with Martial picking out Chris Smalling with a cross in the 57th minute, allowing the defender bag his first goal in the new year with a towering header that helped set the tone for the remainder of the clash.
Wigan got a chance to pull one back after Romero pushed a cross into David Perkins’ path, but the midfielder’s effort was saved by the Argentine goalie’s leg, and Warren Joyce’s side paid dearly for the miss.
United cleared a corner and countered with the opportunity, allowing Martial and Mkhitaryan to combine well on a one-two which saw the Armenian tap into the net after agonizingly missing a similar sitter in the first half.
With still 15 minutes to go, Manchester United still had time for one more goal, and it came via a Schweinsteiger scissors kick-esque effort, ensuring the team easily got the better of the relegation-threatened Championship side managed by their former reserve team head coach.
Here is how things went for the Red Devils as per player ratings.
Romero
Didn’t have much to do but calmly gathered the few shots fired at him, and although he made a mistake that almost gifted the visitors a goal, he made up for it with a stop right away.
Rating: 8/10
Fosu-Mensah
Deployed at right-back and his greatest cross into the opposition’s box was tapped wide by Henrikh.
Should have gotten on the score sheet after Rooney put him through on goal but he could only blast wide.
Rating: 7/10
Smalling
A sound defensive performance from the English centre-half who made sure Griggs was starved of service.
He sealed it with a fine header that left Haugaard with no chance.
Rating: 8/10
Rojo
Despite drifting out of position on a number of occasions, he provided considerable steel to the backline and helped neutralize the visitor’s attack.
Rating: 7/10
Shaw
The youngster got a taste of action in months having struggled with his fitness, and despite starting the game on a bright note, his end product wasn’t particularly threatening.
Rating: 7/10
Fellaini
His goal was the only effort that made light of what was a sloppy start to the clash.
He used his height well all game but was withdrawn towards the end.
Rating: 7/10
Schweinsteiger
The World Cup winner got his first start in 385 days, and despite earlier signs of rustiness, he grew into the game with a commendable performance in the middle of the park, creating and scoring a goal.
Rating: 8/10
Mkhitaryan
Blasted a simple tap-in wide but made up for it with the 3rd goal of the game.
Wasn’t on top of his game as he wasn’t able to constantly provide enough firing power in the final third.
Rating: 7/10
Mata
Called the shots with his passes and great deliveries on the set pieces, but he could have opened the scoring earlier in the game, only for him to volley a great chance too high.
Rating: 7/10
Martial
He definitely did enough to earn himself a spot in the starting XI to face Hull City after Mourinho’s pre-game promise.
Assisted 2 goals and had one ruled out after a foul in Wigan’s box in what was a solid performance in the 2nd half.
Rating: 8/10
Rooney
Dropped deep to pick up passes from the back in order to help spread it across the pitch, and he didn’t disappoint as he carved out chances.
Rating: 7/10
SUBSTITUTES
Tuanzebe
The highly-rated teenage sensation got a taste of his first competitive senior team football action, but didn’t have much to do with the game already settled upon replacing Fosu-Mensah.
Rating: 7/10
Herrera
There was still time for the Spaniard to create Schweinsteiger’s goal upon his late introduction.
Rating: 7/10
Pereira
The 20-year-old Portuguese goalie made a 10-minute cameo appearance.
Rating: Not Available