ERIK’S CUP OF CHEER

Huge relief for underfire boss as Dalot strike & Fernandes penalty sends Reds into fourth round

IF Erik ten Hag was feeling the heat – even in the bitter Wigan chill – you could not tell.

Under a woollen, rather than tin, hat, the Manchester United boss stood impassively for most of a one-sided tie.

Even when Diogo Dalot opened the scoring with a curling strike just after the 20-minute mark, Ten Hag’s expression barely changed.

But make no mistake, he knew the importance of this win. Anything other than victory at the DW Stadium would have turned critical scrutiny into ridicule – and that is normally the beginning of the end.

Some 34 years ago, United went into a FA Cup thirdround tie at Nottingham Forest under immense pressure with suggestions defeat would mean the end of the road for the boss.

Thanks to a Mark Robins goal, United won and a certain Alex Ferguson remained in his post.

The rest is glorious history that is proving to be a millstone around the neck of every coach who has followed in his footsteps.

While Ten Hag will not come close to emulating even a fraction of Fergie’s success, the Dutchman’s selection of his strongest available side showed he knew how crucial this contest was.

Ten Hag’s problem is that his strongest available side is not particularly strong and Wigan should have been ahead inside 10 minutes, but Thelo Aasgaard wasted a plum opening by pinging his effort at Andre Onana.

Unsurprisingly, Ten Hag’s men had the unfamiliar luxury of dominating possession but this is not a United brimming with creative ideas.

And apart from having to produce one decent save to deny Marcus Rashford, Sam Tickle had not been severely tested before reacting too late to keep out Dalot’s meticulously-placed strike midway through the first half.

It was a quality finish from a player who has acquitted himself well in this difficult United season.

And if a couple of his colleagues – notably Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund – had shown similar composure in an opening period, United would have been out of sight at half-time.

Rashford was denied by a combination of Tickle and the post while Hojlund put a great headed chance over.

Although the scoreboard showed the League One side to be in contention, events on the field did not.

One of United’s many issues, though, is missing out in opposition penalty areas.

Their shot conversion rate in the league is shocking and it was a familiar story here.

Even one of their more reliable finishers, Scott

Mctominay, sent a sitter wide. Their wastefulness gave the Latics belief and the odd counter-attack raised hope. But, in truth, United never looked in any serious danger.

And their passage to the fourth round at either Eastleigh or Newport was confirmed when Bruno Fernandes – to give him the benefit of considerable doubt – cleverly drew a foul from Liam Shaw and converted the spot-kick himself.

Still, Ten Hag stood motionless – but he knew just how important this victory was.