Newport vs Man Utd preview: League Two minnows host Red Devils in dream FA Cup tie – team news, kick-off time
MANCHESTER UNITED are looking to avoid one of the biggest FA Cup upsets in living memory when they take on Newport County – and their fans – this weekend.
This Sunday will see a true David versus Goliath as FA Cup fever hits South Wales.
AlamyRodney Parade will stage this Sunday’s David vs Goliath FA Cup clash[/caption]
PANewport boss Graham Coughlan is aiming to pull off a huge giantkilling[/caption]
The Premier League giants have one of the costliest assembled squads on the planet.
Almost £1BILLION has been spent by United on their current crop of players – and on paper they should have no problems sweeping aside a team that cost NOTHING in this fourth round showdown.
But as pressure continues to mount on boss Erik ten Hag amid the INEOS investment and his team’s poor form on the pitch, the FA Cup offers United their only realistic chance of silverware this term.
Having been dumped out of both the Champions League and League Cup already, the Red Devils also sit eighth in the top-flight and are a huge 16 points behind leaders Liverpool.
Defeat against the club with League Two’s smallest budget would be completely unthinkable – but they will have to adapt fast to the modest surroundings awaiting them this weekend.
And the thought of a sunny cup final day at Wembley will be a million miles away when United’s squad arrive at Newport.
They will be shown through a small grey gate near the main road after climbing off the team coach outside the 7,850-capacity ground upon arrival.
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And Bruno Fernandes and Co. will have to make do with facilities like nothing they may have experienced before, certainly not in the Premier League anyway.
The away changing rooms have faded paint on the walls, a fold-up table, physio’s chair, a few bins and two urinals.
And the visiting dug-out also only holds a maximum of 13 people.
That means emergency chairs will have to be deployed for United’s substitutes and coaching staff in front of the home fans.
There’s no doubt that the romance of the Cup will be well and truly alive in this encounter, and here’s everything else you need to know ahead of it:
What is their form like?
Newport began 2024 with a draw away to Sutton United and then were held by Eastleigh at Rodney Parade in the cup.
But since they were pulled out of the hat against United, their form has skyrocketed and they are seven games unbeaten.
They won 1-0 at Doncaster in the league before the 3-1 triumph at Eastleigh in the replay and then they beat big-spending rivals Wrexham 1-0 last weekend.
They go into the game all guns blazing, but United have just two wins from their last eight games in all competitions.
And fans can expect to see a bit of ring rust as they have only played twice since the turn of the year, with their last outing coming on January 14 in the 2-2 draw with Tottenham.
GettyMarcus Rashford is a doubt due to illness[/caption]
What is the team news and any injuries to worry about?
Lisandro Martinez could find himself in a position to start the game after coming on against Tottenham but Marcus Rashford is a doubt due to illness.
Casemiro may also be included in the first XI while Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire have returned to training but the fixture may come too soon for them.
Goalie Andre Onana is still away on Afcon duty – although Mason Mount may also come back into the team following his spell on the sidelines.
Meanwhile, Anthony Martial will play no part as he is going to be out for ten weeks with a groin injury.
Who will be the star men?
Will Evans is the man that the minnows will be praying can fire them to giantkilling glory.
The 26-year-old forward already has 17 goals this term for the play-off chasing Exiles and he knows it will just take one more against United to achieve legendary status at the club.
Ten Hag will be looking for his own forward, Rasmus Hojlund, to continue his own purple patch.
After the Dane’s early struggles in front of goal, he now has two in his last three appearances.
What have the managers said?
Newport boss Graham Coughlan – buoyed by the news of ex-Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins’ takeover of the club – said: “Irrespective this season whether we’ve been winning, losing or drawing, our fans have got right behind us and at times dragged us over the line.
“That’s unique and a strength of this football club and community.
“You can hear everything, sometimes you don’t want to, because they’re that close. They’re on top of you and it’s a unique atmosphere.
“It is hostile, it is noisy, and when they start beating that drum it’s an atmosphere to savour.”
Erik ten Hag said: “I know always, when you go as a big club to a lower-class team, you have to approach that and definitely us, we are definitely not in the position to underestimate any opponent.
“So we will not do [so].”
SunSport prediction
Newport 0 Man Utd 2
Odds
Newport – 25/1
Draw – 11/1
Man Utd – 1/12
Both teams to score YES – 5/4
*Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes and correct at time of publication.
When is Newport vs Man Utd?
Newport vs Man Utd will take place on Sunday, January 28.
The game will kick off at 4.30pm GMT.
Newport will host the clash at Rodney Parade in South Wales.
What channel is it and can it be live streamed?
Newport’s clash with Man Utd will be shown live on ITV1 in the UK.
You can watch all the action on the ITV X app for FREE, which is available for download onto your mobile or tablet device.
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