The Red Devils advanced to the fifth round of the English FA Cup, but it was no where near an easy ride as they had to fought off the second division club fightback to run out 4-2 victors in a six-goal thriller at Rodney Parade.
Coming into this clash, it was a case of a top dog going against an underdog, and that was only increased by the absence of Englishman, Marcus Rashford after his reported disciplinary issues this week. Erik ten Hag’s men were professional from the very kick of the ball and wasted no time in taking the lead. A free flowing Manchester United move ended in Antony picking out Bruno Fernandes on the edge of the box, allowing the United skipper to drive home into the bottom corner to score for a third consecutive FA Cup appearance.
Erik ten Hag's lads looked dangerous going forward, and Newport were no match as their deficit was doubled moments later. Diogo Darlot played the ball to the feet of teenage sensation, Kobbie Mainoo who netted tremendously with a first time strike into the bottom left corner of the post. The visitors kept on dictating the tempo of the game , with Alejandro Garnacho seeing his a volley coming off the woodwork and Antony seeing efforts blocked. Newport had offered very little going the other way until halved the deficit in the 36th minute. The ball rebounds a long way out of the feet of Bryn Morris who immediately sent it back towards goal. He hit it extremely well! Altay Bayindir was left helpless against the projectile which deflects in off into the left post.
Halving the deficit gave the host momentum, and armed with that momentum, Newport superbly restored parity in the day within two minutes of the restart. Adam Lewis’ pinpoint low cross from the left was guided home by top scorer Will Evans to stun United, whose defending, to say the least, lacked intensity. Newport were enjoying themselves and applying a lot of pressure but couldn't sustain it for so long as the host went in front again. Luke Shaw saw his well curled right-footed effort come off the post, as Brazilian winger, Antony was on hand to smartly to guide home the rebound and score for the first time in nine months.
Having recoverd so well after going two behind, Newport couldn’t muster another comeback as they fell to defeat and exit the FA Cup at the fourth round stage. Rasmus Højlund, who had been frustrated at a lack of service all afternoon, put the icing on the cake at stoppage time as he slammed home a rebound to ensure his side booked their place in the fifth round, where they’ll visit either Bristol City or Nottingham Forest.
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