Manchester United eased the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag by ensuring there was no FA Cup third round shock in a 2-0 win at League One Wigan on Monday.
Diogo Dalot’s first-half strike and a controversial penalty from Bruno Fernandes secured United’s first away win since November.
The visitors were rarely troubled at the DW Stadium bar an early effort from Thelo Aasgaard that tested Andre Onana, who has stayed behind for two more United matches before heading off for Cameroon’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
United slowly started to take control as Sam Tickle produced a brilliant save to deny Marcus Rashford before Scott McTominay prodded inches wide.
Rashford has shown flashes of finding his form in recent weeks and it was from the England international’s pass that Dalot curled into the far corner on 22 minutes.
United should have had the tie wrapped up by halftime as Rasmus Hojlund thundered a header off the crossbar before Alejandro Garnacho’s speculative effort also came back off the woodwork.
When the second goal did finally come 16 minutes from time, Wigan felt aggrieved as Fernandes made the most of minimal contact from Liam Shaw.
Fernandes rubbed salt into the home side’s wounds as he then coolly dispatched the resulting penalty to ward off any remaining hope of a giant killing.
The win means the Red Devils will be in fourth round action against either non-league Eastleigh or Newport County of League Two in Monday’s draw.
This competition represents United’s final shot at silverware this season and could prove a lifeline for Ten Hag with his side struggling in the Premier League and already dumped out of Europe.