Newport County 1-2 Man United – FA Cup fourth round: Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo strike inside 15 minutes… before Welsh minnows pull one back

And… just like that, the half-time whistle has gone. Newport will be heading into the changing room with their heads up. It was one way traffice for the majority of the half but Morris’ strike unlocked some confidence in the home side. Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag will be wanting more from his players. Some missed opportunites during the first 45.

Another chance for United. Garnacho (who has been threatening down the left all game) picked up the ball inside the box, squared it to Mainoo but Newport did well to intercept.

Wasted opportunity for Man United. Garnacho picks up the ball on the left-hand-side, drives hard down the wing before crossing the ball to Antony. However, he put a little too much on it. Newport throw in.

That goal has given Newport a new lease of life! They are playing with such confidence and so they should. The fans are also loving life, making more noise than before!

WHAT A GOAL FOR NEWPORT! That has to be one of the FA Cup goals of the season. Wow I love the FA Cup. It was Morris who found the back of the net for Newport.

A long ball was played into the box, United looked to clear it but it fell into the path of Morris. He took his opportunity, chesting it down before connecting beautifully with it.

It did take a small deflection off Martinez but what a strike it was!

Garnacho goes down in the box and calls for a penalty. However, the ref waves for play to continue. Having watched it back on the replay… I don’t think it was a pen, but I’ve seen them be given for less!

Man United earn their first corner of the game. It’s played deep into the box. Lewis looks to clear it but misses the ball. Thankfully for Newport, Antony couldn’t quite react in time.

A brilliant block from Newport’s Delaney denies Antony! The chance came after the ball was played down the left-hand-side to Garnacho. He slipped it back to Antony… who was unmarked in the middle of the box. He looked to slot it home but Delaney managed to get across and make the block.

Intensity has dropped. United’s ball pace around the back is slowing and they’re more time on the ball. I’ve said it before and I will say it again… United cannot get complacent.

Newport call for a penalty! But, certainly isn’t one. Evans picked up the ball with his back to goal, turned and looked to cross the ball. However, it deflected off Martinez’s chest. The home side immediately called for a penalty but not a chance they were getting it.

Newport are favouring the right-hand-side, funneling everything down that side of the pitch. They could do with opening the pitch up and switching play as United are picking everything off.

Newport earn themselves a free-kick in the centre of the pitch. They play it towards the back post but United do well to clear it. Bit of a wasted opportunity… especially as it looks like their only chances are going to come from set pieces!

Garnacho picks up the ball on the right-hand-side, looks to break down the flank before being dispossessed. Lovely defending from Newport but the United star should have done better.

Manchester United hit the crossbar! Martinez played a lovely ball over Newport’s backline to unlock Antony. He picked it up in stride, broke into the box and fired a shot off, hitting the crossbar. However, he could have squared it across the box to Bruno Fernandes… unmarked at the back post. A little selfish…

United are enjoying a lot of success in the pockets, playing it in and out of the midfield with very little pressure from Newport.

This could be a long night for Newport. United have complete control of this game and they’re only growing in confidence. I have a feeling we will see a few more goals…

Man United go 2-0 up within the first 15 minutes of the game. Their second goal started from Dalot’s run into the box. He took his defender on 1v1, slotting it past him to Mainoo. Mainoo took a touch and fired it into the bottom left corner to score his first goal for the Red Devils.

Chance for Man United. Fernandes finds Dalot on the right-hand-side. Dalot slotted it past two Newport players to Antony in the centre of the box. However, he couldn’t connect with it properly and sent it flying past the post.

Bruno Fernandes finds the back of the net in the sixth minute of the game! Luke Shaw picks up the ball on the left-hand-side, carries forward and plays it into Fernandes on the edge of the box. He lays it off to Antony, who drives along the back line before giving it back to the United captain. Fernades took a touch and drilled it into the bottom left corner. Lovely finish.

United may be dominating possession but I have to say, Newport are winning more of the 50/50’s. United can’t get complacent or they will land themselves in trouble.

First chance of the game comes from Antony. He picks up the ball on the right-hand-side of the pitch, cuts in-field and curls the ball into the box. It looked like a shot but I have a feeling he was hoping his someone would get on the end of it.

As expected, Man United are dominating possession. Swinging the ball from left-to-right, building up play and picking their moments. Patience will be key this evening for the Red Devils.

As expected, the Newport fans are cheering everytime Manchester United make a mistake. Even the slightless mistouch is being mocked. The Newport fans are loving every second.

And just like that, we are underway! Can Newport cause an upset? I guess we will have to wait and see.

The players are making their way out onto the pitch. We are just moments away from the action. Make sure you stay tuned throughout the game as we’ll be bringing you all the updates!

It’s an internal matter. I will deal with it.

We talk about Man United so much and the off-field problems not just on-field problems that they have. Marcus needs to understand he is a public figure wherever he goes, there’s going to be a attention on him whether you get the day off or whatever it is.

Alan’s right internal issue, but then before the game, which is causing more problems. Those come to the game today and focus on what they need to do. And now it’s asking what’s happening off the pitch. And it’s just not been good enough from the whole squad Since Eri ten Hag has come to the club.

If it’s an internal matter, then you would think something’s up. I mean, there’s a huge talent in there with Marcus Rashford. And we saw him be disciplined last season when he was late for a meeting he actually missed again.

But something is clearly wrong. Either at home, or his relationship with the football club, because he can’t keep doing this. It can’t waste his talent.

It’s not right it needs it needs strong management. So want someone to get hold of him and say you know what you get to the end of your career and you have huge regret regrets, you can’t have that and you can’t, you don’t need that.

And it needs sorting and sorting now because that 30 goals last season, four this season. When I see him play a lot of the time, it looks like he’s got the world on his shoulders. And for someone with that amount of talent, it needs sorting out it needs sorting out now because he can’t waste it is difficult.

This is how football should be, with fans united and respectful of each other. I hope it lasts all day. We must celebrate and enjoy Match.

It’s a team that’s on a good run, that’s strong and very motivated, so we need to put in a performance and that’s why we’re fielding a strong team.

Another brilliant pre-match read here from our very own Riath Al-Samarrai.

READ IT HERE.

Here is the temporary stand that will house the lucky travelling United fans who were able to land a ticket to this one.

It was about 10 to 1 in terms of applications and tickets available.

Sunday’s clash is one of the standout ties of the FA Cup fourth round as the League Two side – placed 72 places below their Premier League counterparts – hope to pull off a sensational giant killing and etch their names into history.

The differences between the two sides could not be bigger. With United’s vast resources, facilities and world class players, they will be firmly brought down to earth when they arrive in County’s old-school changing rooms with plaster peeling off the walls.

READ ALL ABOUT IT HERE.

This is a huge potential banana skin for Manchester United and Erik ten Hag’s team selection shows us that he is in no mood to entertain the idea of a cup upset today.

Picturesque views across Newport as Rodney Parade sits peaceful in the hours leading up to today’s match.

Here is how the hosts line-up this afternoon.

United fan Will Evans and strike partner Seb Palmer-Houlden are two to keep an eye on.

Erik ten Hag has named his starting XI to face the League Two side.

As expected, it’s a first start for young goalkeeper Altay Bayindir.

Fans will be encouraged to see Casemiro and Luke Shaw make their returns.

I’m expecting a 4-2-3-1 as follows:

Bayindir; Shaw, Martinez, Varane, Dalot; Mainoo, Casemiro; Garnacho, Fernandes, Antony; Hojlund

Here is the fifth round draw in full:

Blackburn Rovers or Wrexham vs. Newcastle

Chelsea or Aston Villa vs. Leeds or Plymouth

Bournemouth vs. Leicester

Liverpool or Norwich vs. Watford or Southampton

Bristol City or Nottingham Forest vs. Newport County or Manchester United

Wolves vs. Brighton

Sheffield Wednesday or Coventry City vs. Maidstone United

Luton vs. Manchester City

It’s going to be a very busy next 10 minutes.

The fifth round draw is moments away, while team news will be out at 3.30pm.

With a fair few Man United supporters sprinkled among his first team, Graham Coughlan will be hoping his side can focus on the task at hand and produce a memorable upset on Sunday afternoon.

Mail Sport investigated Newport’s history with the Red Devils…

At half-time of Liverpool vs Norwich, which the Reds are currently leading 2-1, we are due the fifth round draw.

Here are the all important numbers:

1. Watford or Southampton*

2. Blackburn or Wrexham*

3. Bournemouth

5. Bristol City or Nottingham Forest (R)

6. Leicester City

7. Sheffield Wednesday or Coventry (R)

8. Chelsea or Aston Villa (R)

9. Maidstone

10. Liverpool or Norwich*

11. Man City

12. Leeds or Plymouth (R)

14. Newport County or Man United*

15. Brighton

16. Newcastle

*= yet to play/or in play

(R)= draw and will play a replay

Erik ten Hag’s players have arrived at Rodney Parade… much more humble surroundings than what these megastars are normally used to, that’s for sure.

This is a brilliant interview with Newport’s star striker Will Evans.

READ IT IN FULL HERE.

Our Manchester United reporter Chris Wheeler is right.

With Marcus Rashford reported to have been in a Belfast nightclub on Wednesday and Thursday – and the fact he misses out today – the optics don’t look great for Erik ten Hag.

We should know much more on this when the manager speaks.

One big name that won’t be involved today is Marcus Rashford.

READ WHY HERE.

More media interest than ever means it’s a massive test for Rodney Parade’s facilities.

Seems they’ve done that classic thing that you get at family gatherings where you have to scour the loft for some old chairs and you just hope you don’t end up getting seated on one.

(I always get seated on one)

Newport’s dressing room is full of Man United fans – more on that shortly – so the nerves MUST be jangling for these lads.

What a day for them.

Well, this is the beauty of the FA Cup.

Yesterday we had National League South Maidstone United defeating Championship high flyers Ipswich Town… now it’s the turn of League Two Newport County as they try to stun Manchester United.

The Welsh side are at home in front of a packed out Rodney Parade and while United are huge favourites, this competition is littered with great FA Cup shocks.