Has Anthony Martial Convinced Jose Mourinho?

Manchester United took another step toward defending the FA Cup with four unanswered goals against Wigan Athletic, who can feel a little unfortunate at the margin of their 4-0 defeat. Until United went ahead a minute from the break, the away side were the superior outfit, overrunning the hosts’ midfield and looking increasingly dangerous in attack. However, United’s class told in the end, with Anthony Martial and Henrikh Mkhitaryan particularly decisive.

Martial responded to Jose Mourinho’s public criticism with two assists, Marcos Rojo was a steadying presence at the back and Timothy Fosu-Mensah was enterprising in attack.

United’s midfield looked very ponderous until half-time, with misplaced passes and poor ball retention in dangerous areas a feature of their play. Thankfully, they found much more rhythm after the break.

Mourinho rotated several members of his team and still came away with a resounding victory. His ability to do that stands his team in excellent stead for their three cup competitions and quest for a UEFA Champions League place.

GK Sergio Romero, 7 — Kept Wigan at bay when the game was goalless with a couple of smart saves and then got himself out of trouble in the second half with an athletic stop.

DF Timothy Fosu-Mensah, 7 — Got forward well in the right-back slot and with better decision-making could have added to United’s lead.

DF Chris Smalling, 6 — An odd performance; he actually had a fairly poor game overall, unsure in his passing and positioning, but scored the vital second goal.

DF Marcos Rojo, 7 — A steadying presence, which is some mark of his progress under Mourinho. Got across well to cover and passed sharply out of defence.

DF Luke Shaw, 7 — Showed some encouraging signs, always available on the overlap and cutting infield well too. A good start to making his way back into Mourinho’s plans.

MF Marouane Fellaini, 7 — Like Smalling, an unusual game. Had a poor first half, with some passes going astray and one particularly unpleasant foul, but still came up with the goal that separated the sides at the break with a fine header. Was far more composed in the second half.

MF Bastian Schweinsteiger, 7 — Struggled for midfield control in the first half, being overwhelmed at times, but then emerged with a superb assist for Fellaini’s header and an acrobatic volley for United’s fourth. A very bad day at the office evolved into a very satisfying one.

MF Juan Mata, 6 — Kept the ball well, as usual, though was not as effective in creating or shooting as he has been in recent weeks.

MF Henrikh Mkhitaryan, 7 — Recovered from an appalling first-half miss to help United clinch the game with their third goal. His pace and movement were a threat throughout.

MF Wayne Rooney, 6 — A performance high on intensity but low on output, he made several useful runs but was often frustrated by his team’s lack of movement.

FW Anthony Martial, 7 — Produced two fine assists when his team needed them — his run and cross for Smalling was one of the moments of the match — and his speed and dribbling put Wigan on the back foot. Was not always the most decisive in possession but his impact will have pleased Mourinho after a difficult few weeks for the France forward.

Substitutes

DF Axel Tuanzebe, 7 — Replaced Fosu-Mensah to make some fine runs, and looked technically accomplished. A good debut for one of the club’s most exciting prospects.

MF Ander Herrera, 7 — Was busy as soon as he came on for Fellaini and laid on Schweinsteiger’s goal to boot. An essential part of United’s late dominance.

GK Elgato Pereira, N/A — Will have few quieter games for United than this, brought on with United already three goals to the good. But since it was his debut, he will be unlikely to complain much about that.