Erik ten Hag Issues Strong Warning to Manchester United Players Ahead of FA Cup Game Against Wigan

• Manchester United will take on Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup on Monday, January 8
• Erik ten Hag has reiterated the importance of winning to his players ahead of the game
• Wigan are by no means a pushover side, and previously beat Mancherster City in the final

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag expects the best from his players in their next fixture.

The Red Devils will face Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup on Monday night, and ten Hag knows how big the game is.

Speaking ahead of the fixture, Ten Hag described it as a 'do or die', Manchester Evening News reported.

"We have a lot to play for with the Premier League and FA Cup. In the cup, it's always about do or die. We have to be ready because our opponent will be always 100 per cent, especially playing in a cup against Manchester United," he said.

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Why United need a good cup run

Having been dumped out of the Carabao Cup and the UEFA Champions League, the FA Cup represents United's last conceivable chance to win a trophy.

While there are still 18 games to go in the league this season, they do find themselves in eighth place and are 14 points behind table-topping Liverpool.

Ten Hag on the importance of winning

The Red Devils' manager has encouraged his side to maintain their winning mentality, as they prepare to face a tricky Wigan outfit.

"We must be prepared, and just like the expectations for every game, we have to win. It doesn't matter whether we are away or home, we have to win games," he added.

Wigan's FA Cup reputation

While Wigan now competes in League 1, they are by no means a pushover. The Latics last competed in the Premier League in 2013, but it was also the year they won the FA Cup.

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As noted by The Athletic, Wigan stunned City to lift the trophy, beating them 1-0 in the final. They were coached by Roberto Martinez at the time.

Since that memorable day, they've also beaten six Premier League teams in the cup over the years, setting a new milestone for top-flight scalps by a team outside the division.

Ten Hag maintains he is the right man for the job

Erik ten Hag also defended himself in the wake of the Nottingham Forest defeat by insisting he is the right man for the job.

United have already recorded nine defeats in 20 Premier League outings, with their latest loss coming at the hands of Nottingham Forest.

Speaking after the Nottingham defeat, ten Hag said he believed the team could get more consistent, Sports Brief reported.