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Shaun Maloney and Wigan Athletic will be hoping to pile the pressure on Manchester United and Erik ten Hag when they host the English giants on Monday. The Latics are having an indifferent campaign in League One, currently sitting 17th having won 10 and lost 10 of their 25 league matches. They would be higher in the table if it wasn’t for an 8-point deduction for failing to comply with financial regulations and it leaves them just four points above the drop zone.
Yet they will fancy their chances of an upset against a United side that are in abysmal form, winning just two of their last nine in all competitions amid poor performances and off-field uncertainty, leaving many with the belief that change is necessary.
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WIGAN VS MAN United PREDICTED LINEUPS
Wigan likely to stick
Shaun Maloney made two changes from the side that beat Carlisle United with Stephen Humphrys, their top goalscorer, absent altogether having been replaced early on. Josh Magennis started both of those games and is likely to lead the line given his experience and power. The side is otherwise pretty young with talents such as Callum Lang, Sam Tickle and Charlie Hughes being eyed up by those higher up the ladder.
Ten Hag could make plenty of changes
Man United only have two games to play in January but their poor run of form could see Erik ten Hag make multiple changes and give others an opportunity. That means the likes of Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo and Hannibal Mejbri could enter the starting XI in a bid to showcase their quality while it’s an ideal opportunity for Rasmus Hojlund to build on his winner against Aston Villa.
WIGAN VS MAN United TEAM STATS
Wigan games involve lots of cards
Wigan are having to scrap their way towards survival with so many odds stacked against them and they are doing just that. They have picked up two or more yellow cards in their last six matches and four or more in five of those while drawing 2 or more yellow cards in 11 of their last 12. They aren’t in the best form, failing to register 3 shots on target in 5 of their last 6 League One matches.
United in poor form
Man United have created a measly 5.1 xG across their last six games combined – it’s little wonder they have failed to score in five of their last eight outings. They have also kept just one clean sheet in eight of their last nine and conceded 1.2 xG or higher in nine of their last ten.
WIGAN VS MAN United SHOTS AND SHOTS ON TARGET
Magennis looking to continue his form
Josh Magennis has had to make do with a spot on the Wigan bench for much of the campaign but has started the last two and is doing his best to make the most of it, taking eight shots at goal. While he’s not the cleanest finisher, he is a nuisance in and around the area and could be worth backing him having 2 shots at 1.53 or a shot on target at 2.1.
Garnacho the key performer
A number of Man United players are struggling for form but Alejandro Garnacho hasn’t fallen down with them, instead, he is doing his utmost to lift them. He is available at 1.36 to have a shot on target, something the winger has managed in eight of his last 12 starts. Amad Diallo averaged 2.23 shots per game last season and is available at 1.44 to have 3 or more on Monday.
WIGAN VS MAN United GOALS AND ASSISTS STATS
Wigan have a Godo one
Martial Godo seemed to enter the Wigan XI from nowhere and is making the most of his opportunity, establishing himself in the Wigan XI having contributed six goals this term. It’s difficult to know exactly who will score against United should Wigan do so, but if it’s not Godo, it could be Jordan Jones creating something – he has four assists this season and can be backed at 5.0.
Hojlund looking to build
Rasmus Hojlund has been excellent in the Champions League but struggled to replicate that form domestically. That was until he netted the winner against Aston Villa and a start against League One opposition represents an ideal chance for him to build on that – Hojlund can be backed at 2.1. Garnacho is the standout, however, with a brace against Villa and an assist vs Forest. His odds are bigger than Hojlund’s.
WIGAN CARDS AND FOULS STATS
Wigan not afraid to stick a foot in
Wigan Athletic have collected quite a few cards and committed a lot of fouls recently – 10 or more in their last six. Liam Shaw is the principal problem in this department, committing a foul in eight of his ten starts and two or more in six. He’s not alone, however, with Callum Lang committing a foul in his last 10 starts, including eight in his last three, while Sean Clare has an impressive eight yellow cards.
Clare might be in a bit of bother with Garnacho as his direct opponent. The Argentinian has been fouled in 12 of his last 13 starts with the tricky wide man being fouled twice or more in six of those, and caused Clare problems in the League Cup quarter-final between United and Charlton Athletic last term.
The entire attack is a problem to deal with. Hannibal Mejbri has been fouled in all nine appearances for United, Diallo was fouled just short of twice per 90 last season while Hojlund has been fouled twice in his last three matches.
MAN United CARDS AND FOULS STATS
Full backs should be targeted
Diogo Dalot hasn’t got the greatest reputation with Man United fans but has been played on a weekly basis due to injuries. He now has seven yellow cards this season and has committed a foul in seven of his last eight appearances – it helps little that he’ll be out of position at left back here. Aaron Wan-Bissaka has committed a foul in four of his last five appearances on the other side.
Martial Godo could cause problems as a bit of a youthful wildcard. The winger has been fouled two or more times in four of his last five appearances and will fancy himself to cause problems. It doesn’t help that Callum Lang, who likes to drift in from the right, has been fouled in nine of his last ten starts, only adding to concerns of fouls and set pieces. And in typical fashion, the fouler is also being fouled with Liam Shaw drawing a foul in eight of his last ten starts.
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Wigan vs Manchester United
8th January
kick off 20:15 Over 1.5 Wigan cards
Wigan have collected 2 or more cards in their last 6 matches and 4 or more in 5 of those.
Wigan have committed 10 or more fouls in their last 6 matches.
United have drawn 2 or more cards in their last four.
Alejandro Garnacho 1+ shots on targetGarnacho has had a shot on target in 8 of his last 12 matches.
Wigan have conceded 4 or more shots on target against every top 10 League One opponent they have played.
Scott McTominay to be fouled 1+ timesMcTominay has been fouled in 12 of his last 14 matches for Man United.
Wigan have committed 10 or more fouls in their last 6 matches.
Diogo Dalot 1+ foulsDalot has committed a foul in 7 of his last 8 matches.
Dalot is playing out of position at left back.
He is up against Godo and Lang down that side, who have drawn a combined three fouls per 90.
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