AIN'T NO SHAUN SHINE

Maloney's Latics KO'd as wasteful United avoid slip

IF Erik ten Hag was feeling the heat even in the bitter Wigan chill - then you couldn't tell.

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

Diogo Dalot opened the scoring with a lovely hit just after the 20-minute mark before Bruno Fernandes sealed victory from the spot.

Ten Hag's expression barely changed throughout but, make no mistake, he knew the importance of this thirdround win and performance.

Anything other than victory at the DW Stadium against Shaun Maloney's men would have turned critical scrutiny into ridicule - normally the beginning of the end.

Thankfully for the Dutchman, his Red Devils did enough to cool the heat on a run of rotten results.