WIGAN Athletic have previous when it comes to FA Cup shocks against a Manchester giant but toppling United in this third-round tie would be an even bigger surprise than their victory over City in the 2013 showpiece.
When the Latics got their hands on the FA Cup a decade ago they were still a Premier League club, albeit only for a few more days as a defeat from Arsenal then condemned them to relegation.
But Wigan now find themselves sitting just a few points clear of the drop zone in League One and could suffer successive relegations if results don't pick up soon.
Shaun Maloney was highly rated as a coach and worked under Roberto Martinez in the Belgium set-up but has thus far tasted only failure since moving into management.
He lasted just a few months at Hibernian and is now under pressure at Wigan Athletic so the little Scot could do with an epic FA Cup victory to boost his approval rating.
The man in the opposite dugout is also in desperate need of a victory as Erik ten Hag watches Manchester United limp from one disaster to another this season.
It looked like the former Ajax boss could be the man to restore the Old Trafford giants to former glories when he lifted the League Cup and secured a top-four finish in his first season at the helm.
But ten Hag has lost 14 times already this term and the FA Cup offers his only chance to salvage something from a nightmare campaign with Manchester United already out of Europe and lagging miles behind in the Premier League.
After losing 2-1 at Nottingham Forest last time out, another defeat to lowly Wigan Athletic could see the axe come down on the beleaguered Old Trafford gaffer.
How the bookies view it
With Wigan Athletic winning just one of their last six matches it's no surprise to see them as 14/1 outsiders with Coral. Manchester United's best price is just 1/4 with the same firm while the draw pays 11/2 at Midnite.
Recent head to head
These sides have met just twice since Wigan Athletic's relegation from the Premier League. As FA Cup winners, the Latics faced Premier League champions Manchester United in the Community Shield at Wembley in August 2013, with the Red Devils winning 2-0. The last meeting came in the FA Cup back in 2017 and this time Man United romped to a 4-0 victory at Old Trafford.
Players to watch
Josh Maggenis won't be overawed at facing Manchester United with the striker having heaps of experience at international level with Northern Ireland. The 33-year-old has netted six times this season and is 13/2 at Bet365 for another goal here.
Alejandro Garnacho has been one of the few rays of light for Manchester United this season and the young winger was sensational in the festive win over Aston Villa. He let Slips Tips down last time out in Nottingham but I fancy him for a goal here at 2/1 with Bet365.
Anything else catch the eye?
Manchester United have kept just one clean sheet in their last nine outings and that came when they parked the bus at Anfield. They will be obliged to attack here so BTTS could be worth a tentative punt at 5/4 with Unibet.
Wigan Athletic have been leaking goals as well so it could pay to back the misfiring Red Devils to find their shooting boots. Over 3.5 match goals pays 31/20 at Paddy Power while over 2.5 Manchester United goals is evens at Bet365.
Celtic loanee Liam Shaw has picked up a few yellow cards for Wigan this season, with four in his 18 outings. He could try to put the boot in against United's stars and Bet365 price him at a tempting 11/5 to go in the book.
This FA Cup match between Wigan Athletic and Manchester United will be played on Jan 8, 2024 and kick off at 20:15. Check below for our tipsters best Wigan Athletic vs Manchester United prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
