Man Utd survive Newport fightback to win in FA Cup

Manchester United survived a real FA Cup fourth-round scare at Newport County before finally seeing off the League Two side's brave attempt at a giant-killing.

Alejandro Garnacho also hit the woodwork as United dominated but the team 73 places beneath them on the league ladder, roared on by passionate Welsh followers inside a packed Rodney Parade, staged a stirring fightback.

Bryn Morris' long-range effort glanced off Lisandro Martinez's head past United's debutant keeper Altay Bayindir after 36 minutes and Newport really started to dream of causing a sensation two minutes after the break.

Adam Lewis' cross allowed Will Evans to steal in ahead of Raphael Varane to put Newport level as the hordes of 'The Amber Army' celebrated wildly.

United were stunned but managed to regain enough composure to regain the lead in the 68th minute, as Antony reacted first to beat Newport goalkeeper Nick Townsend after Luke Shaw's effort came back off the post.

Rasmus Hojlund made the result safe for Erik ten Hag's team, finishing from close range after substitute Omari Forson had a shot blocked by Townsend.

This time the hosts had no response, leaving United to be grateful for their escape and the chance to look forward to a fifth-round tie at either Bristol City or Nottingham Forest.

Ten Hag's United show weaknesses

United eventually navigated the tricky assignment of facing a side 16th in League Two in front of their own passionate support with an attendance increased to more than 9,000 thanks to the presence of temporary stands.

It had all the classic FA Cup shock ingredients but for 36 minutes United delivered the realities of football's pyramid as opposed to the romance of this great old competition by outclassing Graham Coughlan's side.

Newport, to their immense credit, did not go away and the manner in which they fought back to level the score and, for 21 minutes at least, threaten a stunning victory, exposed some of the frailties of Ten Hag's team.

United could barely believe they had been pulled back but suddenly they were living on their nerves and had to gather themselves to avoid being subjected to further embarrassment.

It ended well but make no mistake, there was some serious discomfort for a spell.

Their £72m summer signing Hojlund - who was tireless in his effort and running but was short of service, especially from the flanks were Garnacho and Antony were wasteful - got his reward when he pounced in the penalty area for the goal that snuffed out any lingering Newport hopes.

When you come to a vibrant stadium like Rodney Parade it is mission accomplished when you go away with a place in the next round of the FA Cup confirmed - but this was not a game without its nervous moments before that was assured.

Newport's day of pride

Newport could not quite follow Maidstone United's example and provide more startling FA Cup fourth-round headlines but this was a day the League Two club can look back on with pride.

'The Amber Army' filled the narrow streets surrounding Rodney Parade awaiting the arrival of the Premier League giants, anticipation in the air hours before kick-off.

A raucous atmosphere was temporarily subdued by those two early United goals but it is to the credit of Newport and their supporters that they never lost hope and Coughlan's side did not subside.

Indeed, it was quite the opposite as those goals from Morris and Evans caused an explosion of noise inside the ground that sparked, for a little while at least, visions of inflicting humiliation on one of the Premier League superpowers.

It was not to be, but Newport fully deserved the standing ovation they were given at the final whistle.

They must now return to League Two matters when they face Swindon Town next Saturday - but this is a day they will rightly remember with fondness and pride.

Player of the match

MainooKobbie Mainoo

with an average of 7.15

Newport County

1. Squad number28Player nameBaker

   Average rating

   6.61

2. Squad number1Player nameTownsend

   Average rating

   6.49

3. Squad number22Player nameWood

   Average rating

   6.40

4. Squad number18Player nameRai

   Average rating

   6.36

5. Squad number2Player namePayne

   Average rating

   6.32

6. Squad number11Player nameWaite

   Average rating

   6.32

7. Squad number7Player nameEvans

   Average rating

   6.27

8. Squad number4Player nameDelaney

   Average rating

   6.03

9. Squad number8Player nameMorris

   Average rating

   5.94

10. Squad number3Player nameLewis

    Average rating

    5.93

11. Squad number20Player nameCharsley

    Average rating

    5.85

12. Squad number24Player nameWildig

    Average rating

    5.84

13. Squad number19Player nameMcLoughlin

    Average rating

    5.82

14. Squad number30Player namePalmer-Houlden

    Average rating

    5.79

15. Squad number17Player nameBennett

    Average rating

    5.72

16. Squad number5Player nameJ Clarke

    Average rating

    5.68

Manchester United

1. Squad number37Player nameMainoo

   Average rating

   7.15

2. Squad number23Player nameShaw

   Average rating

   6.94

3. Squad number8Player nameBruno Fernandes

   Average rating

   6.80

4. Squad number1Player nameBayindir

   Average rating

   6.77

5. Squad number6Player nameLi Martínez

   Average rating

   6.74

6. Squad number17Player nameGarnacho

   Average rating

   6.70

7. Squad number11Player nameHøjlund

   Average rating

   6.67

8. Squad number20Player nameDiogo Dalot

   Average rating

   6.53

9. Squad number18Player nameCasemiro

   Average rating

   6.44

10. Squad number19Player nameVarane

    Average rating

    6.39

11. Squad number21Player nameAntony

    Average rating

    6.19

12. Squad number5Player nameMaguire

    Average rating

    5.33

13. Squad number62Player nameForson

    Average rating

    5.32

14. Squad number39Player nameMcTominay

    Average rating

    5.29

15. Squad number53Player nameKambwala

    Average rating

    5.26

16. Squad number35Player nameEvans

    Average rating

    5.13