06 January 2024 , 16:42
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Wigan boss Shaun Maloney has a plan to make it "extremely difficult" for Manchester United to beat his third-tier side in the FA Cup on Monday.
Maloney, who played for Wigan when they famously won the competition under Roberto Martinez in 2013, now manages the Latics and is plotting an upset in the third round. United's dire campaign has left Erik ten Hag's struggling side vulnerable to a giant-killing at the DW Stadium, which is exactly what Monday's hosts are hoping for.
"There are always things that I think we have to try to hurt them or certain areas that we can hurt them," former Celtic and Aston Villa midfielder Maloney explained. "That's my job, I have to try to find them. I have to give my players the belief that we can do it. We have to create a match which is extremely difficult for Manchester United.
"When you play against a team two divisions above, you have to be aware of the talent they have so how we defend will have to be different to how we defend in League One. But I still have to give the players belief and I'm not going to change how we play when we have the ball, just because we play someone so much different."
Winger Callum McManaman, now in his second spell with the Latics, was also part of the Wigan side who beat Manchester City in the final 11 years ago, although wasn't at the club when they beat the Citizens in the 2018 third round. "We have done City twice in the FA Cup so hopefully we do United," McManaman, 32, told the Independent. "The pressure is on them, there's no pressure on us."
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Shaun Maloney is plotting to upset Manchester United on Monday (James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)Wigan are languishing 18th in League One after being hit with a four-point deduction to start the season, but most pundits expected them to be higher up the table by now, especially with their pool of talent and slick style of play. The pressure was well and truly on Maloney before a comfortable 2-0 win at home to Carlisle last week and a draw with Barnsley on New Year's Day.
"It will be very difficult, and they have talented players, on their day, they can be some of the best players in the Premier League and Europe," the 40-year-old, who formerly managed Hibernian, added. "I have to try and create a belief in our team. Our players have to feel from me that there is belief in certain moments, and the talent our players have can come to the fore."