Wigan boss Shaun Maloney fires warning at Manchester United ahead of FA Cup fixture

Wigan Athletic manager Shaun Maloney believes his side can exploit Manchester United's weaknesses ahead of Monday night's FA Cup third round tie.

United, who last faced Wigan in 2017, will make the short trip to the DW Stadium with the ambition of getting 2024 off to a winning start, following a dismal conclusion to 2023. The Reds brought the year to a close with an uninspiring 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest last Saturday.

Currently eighth in the Premier League table, out of Europe and out of the Carabao Cup, the FA Cup represents United's only realistic chance of winning a trophy this season. They are, with that in mind, likely to take the competition seriously, just as manager Erik ten Hag did last season, leading his side to the final.

READ MORE: United have four players who must respond to impossible to ignore criticism

READ MORE: Sir Jim Ratcliffe has already taken the first step towards his United objective

Though United are strong favourites to dispatch of the League One side, who were relegated from the Championship last term, and progress to the fourth round, Maloney is confident his players can pounce on United's vulnerabilities.

Maloney said: "We prepare the majority of the season against League One sides but in any team – whether they are in our division, the Championship or the Premier League – there will be areas defensively you can see you can try to take advantage of.

"There are always things that I think we have to try to hurt them or certain areas that we can hurt them. That's my job, I have to try to find them.

"My players have to feel from me a belief that at certain moments the talent our players have can come to the fore. I have to give my players the belief that we can do it.

"We have