Erik ten Hag tactical experiment could save Manchester United and Sir Jim Ratcliffe millions

Was the solution to Manchester United's right-wing troubles under Erik ten Hag's nose all along?

It is a question supporters, based on recent evidence, would be well within their rights to ask. After being reassigned to the left-wing against Nottingham Forest, Alejandro Garnacho was back on the right against Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium in the FA Cup on Monday night.

With Rasmus Hojlund fit again after illness, United boss Ten Hag was able to revert to the exact same front-three that starred in the Boxing Day comeback against Aston Villa. Hojlund led the line, operating through the middle, while Marcus Rashford operated from the left and Garnacho operated from the right.

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Though United, not for the first time this season, were guilty of squandering a whole host of opportunities, they did, at least, look more threatening up until applying the finishing touch in front of goal, albeit against League One opposition. Diogo Dalot scored the game's opening goal, curling a sweet effort home from outside the box, before Bruno Fernandes put the tie to bed via the penalty spot.

Had United remembered their shooting boots for the relatively short trip to Lancashire, the scoreline would have had a far more convincing look to it. It really should have marked the night that United, for the first time under Ten Hag, won by a four-goal margin.

Though they were unable to apply the finishing touch to some attractive and enticing build-up play, particularly in the first half, their attack, just as it did against Villa, felt balanced. It also carried promise and potential.

For the bulk of