The Red Devils were rewarded for taking their FA Cup opener seriously with a big win and achieving a positive round four draw on Monday night.
Fourteen defeats in all competitions this season and no away wins since November leaves the FA Cup as United’s last hope for any silverware this year.
Erik ten Hag played his strongest available side at the sold-out DW Stadium, with Wigan Athletic fans hopeful about causing a shock upset this week.
The fourth-round draw, which took place ahead of kick-off, would have motivated the Red Devils, too. The winners of this match are set to face either League Two side Newport County or non-league team Eastleigh, the second-lowest ranked side left in the cup.
Diogo Dalot gave United the lead with a curling effort midway through the first half before Bruno Fernandes sealed the win from the spot in the second period.
Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Højlund continued to face difficulty at the top of the pitch, but the result is sure to be a huge morale booster for the struggling giants.
In the pick of the other fourth-round ties, defending champions Manchester City will travel to Tottenham Hotspur while Chelsea will host Aston Villa and Newcastle will go to Fulham.
Liverpool, who killed off Arsenal in round three, will take on either Norwich or Bristol Rovers at Anfield next time out.
Fourth-round ties will be played on the weekend of 27 January.
FA Cup round four draw:
Watford vs Southampton
Blackburn vs Wrexham
Bournemouth vs Swansea
West Brom vs Brentford or Wolves
West Ham or Bristol City vs Nottingham Forest or Blackpool
Leicester vs Hull or Birmingham
Sheffield Wednesday vs Coventry
Chelsea vs Aston Villa
Ipswich vs Maidstone United
Liverpool vs Norwich or Bristol Rovers
Tottenham vs Manchester City
Leeds vs Plymouth
Crystal Palace or Everton vs Luton or Bolton
Newport or Eastleigh vs Manchester United
Sheffield United vs Brighton
Fulham vs Newcastle United
Pictured above: Diogo Dalot.
Image source: @emiratesfacup
