Roberto Martinez | "In the FA Cup, anything is possible!"

Roberto Martinez speaks to Latics TV ahead of Monday's Emirates FA Cup Third Round tie

• Roberto Martinez | Manchester United Emirates FA Cup Preview
• The Portugal National Team's boss caught up with Latics TV at Friday's Sky Bet League One victory over Carlisle United
• Martinez: "In the FA Cup, anything is possible!"

Roberto Martinez is a firm believer that Wigan Athletic can defy the odds against Manchester United this evening. 

The Emirates FA Cup fever has been palpable at the DW Stadium over the last month, with well over 20,000 supporters securing their tickets to watch Shaun Maloney’s men face the Red Devils. 

12-time winners of the FA Cup, United will make their first competitive visit to the DW Stadium since 2012/13, and Latics will be determined to cause another monumental upset in a competition in which they have already enjoyed so many unforgettable moments. 

Martinez, Latics’ FA Cup-winning manager, was the man who introduced the mantra ‘Sin Miedo’ – ‘Without Fear’ – into Wiganese vocabulary.

That famous saying was synonymous throughout the Spaniard’s tenure at the DW Stadium, along with Believe, and Latics will need to abide by both phrases to defeat Erik Ten Hag’s Reds.

The Portugal boss, who returned to his football home over Christmas for Latics’ Sky Bet League One victory against Carlisle United, emphasised the magical nature of the FA Cup, and how anything is possible when it comes to Wigan Athletic.

“The story of Wigan Athletic is very powerful,” he told Latics TV.

“Everything was driven by the vision of Dave Whelan, and from that point, we were able to stay in the Premier League for eight years, play in Europe and win a major trophy.

“We were able to beat anyone on our day and that was inspiring. Now we’ve got another Wigan Athletic custodian at the helm in our manager Shaun Maloney, and it’s great to have someone who knows the Football Club having previously played for us.

“You need to understand what’s required to be a member of the Wigan Athletic family, and it’s so pleasing to see Shaun developing a young team that is giving a lot. Hopefully in the FA Cup, they can carry on (with the upsets) and do what we did in 2013.

“First and foremost, this is a reward and an achievement to get a game at the DW Stadium against Manchester United in the FA Cup.

“There is no pressure or expectations, and the only pressure for the players is to give a good account of themselves and at the end of the game, become a better team because of the experience. That’s what Shaun will be looking for, whatever the result.

“Would it be an upset to beat Manchester United? Yes, of course, but it’s been done before. 

“It’s a game for all the fans to enjoy and turn out in big numbers. Hopefully the Club can have a positive evening and from that point, something they can treasure.

“In the FA Cup, over 90 minutes, anything is possible. You find that belief that psychologically you are on the same level and that anything can be possible on the night. 

“Everyone has a role to play - from the players all the way through the technical staff, to every single fan. The FA Cup is magic, and everything starts with the belief that the whole team can produce something. “