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.
United made a flying start and looked to have wrapped the tie up when smooth finishes from Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo gave them a 2-0 lead inside 13 minutes.
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 before Rodney Parade was rocking and Newport 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 reply, leaving United to be grateful for the escape to seal a fifth-round tie at either Bristol City or Nottingham Forest.
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Newport County
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Squad number1Player nameTownsend
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Squad number19Player nameMcLoughlin
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Squad number5Player nameJ Clarke
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Squad number17Player nameBennett
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Squad number4Player nameDelaney
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Squad number3Player nameLewis
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Squad number8Player nameMorris
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Squad number20Player nameCharsley
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Squad number24Player nameWildig
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Squad number7Player nameEvans
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Squad number30Player namePalmer-Houlden
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Squad number2Player namePayne
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Squad number11Player nameWaite
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Squad number18Player nameRai
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Squad number22Player nameWood
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Squad number28Player nameBaker
Line-ups
Newport
Formation 5-3-2
- 1Townsend
- 19McLoughlin
- 5J Clarke
- 17BennettSubstituted forBakerat 79′minutes
- 4Delaney
- 3LewisSubstituted forPayneat 70′minutes
- 8Morris
- 20CharsleySubstituted forWaiteat 78′minutes
- 24WildigSubstituted forRaiat 78′minutes
- 7Evans
- 30Palmer-HouldenSubstituted forWoodat 90+7′minutes
Substitutes
- 2Payne
- 10Zanzala
- 11Waite
- 18Rai
- 22Wood
- 23Jameson
- 26Maxted
- 28Baker
- 33Bondswell
Man Utd
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Bayindir
- 20Dalot
- 19VaraneSubstituted forEvansat 90+7′minutes
- 6Li MartÃnezSubstituted forMaguireat 89′minutes
- 23ShawSubstituted forKambwalaat 82′minutes
- 37Mainoo
- 18CasemiroBooked at 72minsSubstituted forMcTominayat 81′minutes
- 21AntonySubstituted forForsonat 88′minutes
- 8Bruno Fernandes
- 17Garnacho
- 11Højlund
Substitutes
- 5Maguire
- 14Eriksen
- 16Diallo
- 22Heaton
- 28Pellistri
- 35Evans
- 39McTominay
- 53Kambwala
- 62Forson
- Referee:
- David Coote
- Attendance:
- 9,086
Live Text
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Match ends, Newport County 2, Manchester United 4.
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Second Half ends, Newport County 2, Manchester United 4.
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Corner, Newport County. Conceded by Altay Bayindir.
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Attempt saved. James Waite (Newport County) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner. Assisted by Bryn Morris.
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Foul by Scott McTominay (Manchester United).
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Will Evans (Newport County) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Substitution, Manchester United. Jonny Evans replaces Raphaël Varane.
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Substitution, Newport County. Nathan Wood replaces Seb Palmer-Houlden.
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Attempt blocked. Kiban Rai (Newport County) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Bryn Morris.
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Goal! Newport County 2, Manchester United 4. Rasmus Højlund (Manchester United) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the centre of the goal.
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Attempt saved. Omari Forson (Manchester United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Alejandro Garnacho with a through ball.
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Attempt saved. Will Evans (Newport County) header from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Shane McLoughlin with a cross.
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Corner, Newport County. Conceded by Harry Maguire.
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Attempt blocked. Bryn Morris (Newport County) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by James Waite.
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Attempt missed. Will Evans (Newport County) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Matthew Baker.
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Foul by Kiban Rai (Newport County).
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Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt blocked. Bryn Morris (Newport County) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked.
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Substitution, Manchester United. Harry Maguire replaces Lisandro MartÃnez.
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Substitution, Manchester United. Omari Forson replaces Antony.
