It will be a first encounter for both sides as The Exiles host The Red Devils in Round Four of The Emirates FA Cup in what will be a full house at Rodney Parade this Sunday.
How have the two sides made it to the fourth round?
Despite Newport surpassing Oldham Athletic, Barnet and Eastleigh it’s not been an easy route for the League Two side.
Newport started their FA Cup campaign by hosting Oldham Athletic back in November winning two nil, in the second and third round they hosted another two 5th tier teams in Barnet and Eastleigh, both games were held at Rodney Parade, despite the home advantage and Newport taking the lead on both occasions, late goals for the away sides forced a replay, the Exiles secured a 4-1 victory at The Hive against Barnet and then won 3-1 at Eastleigh to secure the tie against 12 time winners, United.
Whilst United joined the competition in round three where they faced Wigan Athletic at the DW Stadium, The Red Devils came away two nil winners with goals from Dalot and Fernandez.
How do the two sides compare?
United have gone all the way and won the competition on 12 occasions, most recently in 2016. As for Newport they’ve made the fifth round on two occasions, once in the 1948/49 season and again in 2018/19 when they played United’s rivals Manchester City resulting in a 4-1 win for City.
Newport have had their fair share of ‘Cupsets’ over recent seasons. In the FA Cup, they’ve beaten Leeds United, Leicester City, Middlesborough, they also taken Tottenham Hotspur to a replay. As well as beating Swansea and Watford as well taking Brentford, Newcastle, and Brighton all to penalties in the Carabao Cup.
As for Manchester United, they’ll be looking to go all the way for the 13thtime, The FA Cup is the only thing left in their grasp to win this season, therefore Erik ten Hag will have to think wisely on his United starting 11.
How has the season gone so far for either side?
United currently sit 8th in the Premier League whilst Newport sit 14th in Sky Bet League Two meaning there’s a staggering 74 places between the two sides.
United have picked up five points from their last five league games, beating Villa, whilst drawing to Spurs and Liverpool but losing to West Ham and Forest.
They’re out of the Champions League after finishing fourth in their group and out the Carabao Cup after a 3 nil Newcastle United win.
As for Newport, it’s been an up and down season, however the Exiles are now unbeaten in seven games, They were knocked out the Carabao Cup losing to penalties vs Brentford as well as knocked out of the EFL trophy group stages.
Are there any links between the two sides?
In 2015 Manchester United signed Newport youth player Regan Poole, the Welshman made his Newport County debut at just 16 years old and 94 days making him Newport’s youngest ever player to play in the league. The defender was sold on an initial fee of £100,000, potentially rising to £400,000 with future add ons. Regan was an unused sub in United first leg of the Europa League against Midtjylland, however in the return leg at Old Trafford he came on in the 89th minute for Ander Herrera.
Poole later rejoined Newport on loan in the January transfer window of 2018/19, He played in the win against Middlesborough as well as the game against Manchester City, He was also part of the League Two play off final defeat to Tranmere Rovers.
Who will come out on top?
0%NCAFC
0%MUFC
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