Match preview: Wigan v United

Erik ten Hag's side are looking to improve on last season's runners-up finish in the competition but have to wait to get our 2023/24 involvement under way.

Kick-off against the League One side is scheduled for 20:15 GMT, over 24 hours after the other 31 round-three ties have been staged.

Here's everything you need to know ahead of United's first FA Cup away game in almost three years...

HOW CAN I WATCH?

ITV Sport is broadcasting the game live in the UK, with their build-up beginning from 19:30 GMT.

You can also follow live updates in the United App and our Match Centre on ManUtd.com, with live radio commentary available to listen to.

MUTV viewers can watch exclusive build-up in our pre-match show from 19:10 GMT, and all the reaction from full-time.

WHEN CAN I SEE THE HIGHLIGHTS?

Highlights of the game will be made available across our platforms from midday on Tuesday 9 January.

TEAM NEWS

The Reds were without Rasmus Hojlund at Nottingham Forest last Saturday, with the Dane unavailable for the defeat in the East Midlands due to illness. Luke Shaw missed a second consecutive game, after sitting out the 3-2 win over Aston Villa with a minor issue.

Sofyan Amrabat was also absent for both games and both he and goalkeeper Andre Onana have been selected for the Africa Cup of Nations, which begins on Saturday 13 January.

Erik ten Hag expects to welcome several long-term absentees back to action this month, including Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, Tyrell Malacia and Mason Mount. Victor Lindelof (groin) and Anthony Martial (illness) have also been absent in recent weeks.

Look out for the boss’s pre-match press conference on Thursday, as he could provide further news.

The home side will be without the sidelined Tom Pearce and Jason Kerr while Stephen Humphrys and Scott Smith are also doubts, having missed the 1-1 draw with Barnsley on New Year’s Day. Luke Robinson, recalled from a loan spell at St Johnstone, was registered in time to appear as a substitute at Oakwell.

FORM GUIDE

United are looking for a brighter start to 2024 after a tough December which saw us lose five of our eight games across all competitions.

Prior to their point in Yorkshire, the Latics beat struggling Carlisle United 2-0 at the DW Stadium to end a run of four league games without a win.

Shaun Maloney’s side are 17th in the League One table, four points clear of the relegation zone but in a relatively good place, considering they were deducted eight points for EFL rule breaches prior to the campaign’s start.

PAST MEETINGS

United have won 18 of the 19 competitive games we’ve played against Wigan, with all of those contests taking place since the Latics were promoted to the Premier League for the first time in 2005.

The exception to the rule was costly for the Reds. Maloney’s goal may have given the Latics an important 1-0 win which helped them retain their top-flight status in 2012, but it also proved pivotal at the culmination of our campaign, as Manchester City pipped Sir Alex Ferguson’s men to the title on goal difference.

We eased to a 4-0 victory over the Latics in the most recent meeting, in the 2017 FA Cup fourth round. Marouane Fellaini, Chris Smalling, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Bastian Schweinsteiger were on the scoresheet, with current Reds Shaw and Martial starting for Jose Mourinho’s side.

THIRD-ROUND FIXTURES

THURSDAY 4 JANUARY

Crystal Palace v Everton (20:00 GMT)

FRIDAY 5 JANUARY

Brentford v Wolves (19:15 GMT)
Fulham v Rotherham (19:30 GMT)
Tottenham v Burnley (20:00 GMT)

SATURDAY 6 JANUARY

AFC Wimbledon v Ipswich (12:30 GMT)
Coventry v Oxford (12:30 GMT)
Maidstone v Stevenage (12:30 GMT)
Millwall v Leicester (12:30 GMT)
Sunderland v Newcastle (12:45 GMT)
Blackburn v Cambridge
Gillingham v Sheffield United
Hull v Birmingham
Newport v Eastleigh
Norwich v Bristol Rovers
Plymouth v Sutton
QPR v Bournemouth
Southampton v Walsall
Stoke v Brighton
Watford v Chesterfield
Chelsea v Preston (17:30 GMT)
Middlesbrough v Aston Villa (17:30 GMT)
Sheffield Wednesday v Cardiff (17:30 GMT)
Swansea v Morecambe (17:30 GMT)

SUNDAY 7 JANUARY

Luton v Bolton (14:00 GMT)
Manchester City v Huddersfield (14:00 GMT)
Nottingham Forest v Blackpool (14:00 GMT)
Peterborough v Leeds (14:00 GMT)
Shrewsbury v Wrexham (14:00 GMT)
West Brom v Aldershot (14:00 GMT)
West Ham v Bristol City (14:00 GMT)
Arsenal v Liverpool (16:30 GMT)

MONDAY 8 JANUARY

Wigan v UNITED (20:15 GMT)

Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated.