believes an FA Cup triumph can ‘save ’s season’ but warns that Wigan Athletic will fancy their chances against them.
United travel to the DW Stadium on Monday night for the final game of the third-round, with the FA Cup the only trophy they can realistically win this season.
Ordinarily, the Red Devils would be clear favourites to sweep aside the League One club, but given their woeful form this campaign, there is no guarantee whatsoever that ’s side will prevail.
As a result, this game and this competition could well make or break the players and their under-pressure manager, and United icon Berbatov has urged them to go all out against the Latics.
‘Based on some of the recent games, especially the last match against , I never know which United team is going to turn up,’ the former striker told .
‘When I expect United to win they lose. Sometimes I think United aren’t going to win and then they do.
‘Ahead of their third round tie away to Wigan on Monday evening, United players need to say to each other: “Guys, this is our only chance of winning a trophy this season, let’s put all of our energy and consistency into trying to get our hands on that trophy”.
‘It’s going to be great if they win the FA Cup but let’s take one game at a time. It’s not going to be easy, especially against League One Wigan because they will be thinking: “We have a chance against this United team”.
‘This is the only major trophy United can win this season and doing so could save their season. Of course, they need to chase a top four finish in the Premier by any means necessary, but winning the FA Cup would be something they can show off. United need to go full speed and try to win the competition.
‘The trip to northwest neighbours Wigan is a potential banana skin. If you don’t go all in from the first whistle – pressing, counter-pressing, showing your intent, trying to get an early goal so you can calm your nerves – then you’re going to have a tough game.
‘United are so inconsistent and unpredictable, it’s always up and down, up and down with them, and that’s very dangerous. If they lose this game, then the critics will be gunning for them.
‘For Ten Hag, this is a must-win game. It’s more stress for the players if they lose and there will be more questions around the manager’s future.
‘I can’t go for anything else other than a victory for United. They must win no matter what, I don’t care how. It’s impossible for United not to win this game. If they lose then the rest of this season will be a nightmare.
‘Wigan have nothing to lose, they’ll play and enjoy it as much as they can. United are the ones who have everything to lose.
‘It’s a game where everyone says: “It’s f***ing Wigan, you should easily beat them”. But this is the FA Cup, major upsets have happened in this competition, so United need to pay attention otherwise it’ll be a nightmare.
‘In my mind, this should be a convincing Man United win. In reality, let’s see.’
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