09 January 2024 , 05:30
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Diogo Dalot helped Manchester United make a smooth passage to the fourth round of the FA Cup and claimed Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s arrival has given the players a major boost.
Dalot struck midway through the first half at Wigan and a second half Bruno Fernandes penalty confirmed United’s fourth round meeting with either Eastleigh or Newport County. Along with Sir Dave Brailsford, Ratcliffe visited United’s training complex last week and Dalot said it gave them a lift after a troubled first half of the season.
He said: “It (the INEOS investment) brings some good, new energy with positive feelings. We are looking to the future with good energy. You can feel at Carrington the motivation they (Ratcliffe and INEOS) have brought in. We are Manchester United and we want to win everything.”
And Erik ten Hag agreed with Dalot, adding: “It is an inspiration. Everyone is optimistic. We have had some setbacks but we will keep alive, survive it and strike back.”
The United manager was delighted with the comfortable win against the League One side, even though his team missed a host of chances.
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Ten Hag said: “In the first half, we created five or six very good chances. We should have taken more but if you don’t score, you have to stay focused and I think we did that.
“You want to finish the job and that is what I said in the dressing-room … job done.”
Ten Hag was again without several established first team players but says Christian Eriksen, Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire have a chance of being in contention to face Spurs at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Wigan boss Shaun Maloney will now concentrate on the fight for League One survival but was pleased with his team’s performance, saying: “I’m proud of my players. It was a difficult match but a brilliant experience for them.”