Newport County seek a giant killing against Manchester United at Rodney Parade in a huge Fourth Round tie in 2023-24 FA Cup.
Victory would see Newport reach the Fifth Round for the first time since 2018-19 season, whilst Man Utd seek to avoid a second exit at this stage in three seasons.
Team News
Newport have no fresh injury concerns to report after their League Two victory over Wrexham.
Declan Drysdale (hamstring), Offrande Zanzala and Kyle Jameson (both unspecified) are doubtful for selection.
Josh Seberry (fibula) remain absent.
Man Utd will be without Anthony Martial after the forward needed surgery on a groin injury during their winter break.
Jonny Evans and Marcus Rashford (both illness) are doubts but Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw (both muscle) and Mason Mount, (calf) are set to feature.
Victor Lindelof (knock), Sofyan Amrabat (international duty) and Tyrell Malacia (knee) remain sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Newport entertain Man Utd at Rodney Parade on Sunday 28 January at 4:30pm GMT, live on BBC One in the UK.
Stat Attack
- This is Newport’s first-ever meeting against Man Utd in all competitions.
- Man Utd are playing their first away competitive fixture at Rodney Parade in all competitions.
- Newport are unbeaten in four of their last five FA Cup meetings at home to top-flight opposition – excluding penalty shootouts (W1, D3, L1).
- Man Utd have avoided defeat in 18 FA Cup meetings away to lower league opposition this century – excluding penalties (W16, D2).
Prediction
Given their habit for springing cupsets at home once past the opening two rounds as the likes of Leeds, Leicester and Middlesbrough know, Newport certainly can’t be underestimated especially given their strong home form which included scalping Wrexham in a league clash last weekend.
Man Utd meanwhile have had two weeks off after a scrappy draw against Tottenham where they led twice in an energetic first-half effort, only to hit frustration in their end product in the second half so I hope that the that they have worked on delivering consistently over 90 minutes.
Rodney Parade though is a difficult place for many teams to visit and Man Utd weren’t exactly impressive in the Third Round at Wigan despite cruising to the win, so I do worry that this could be another game where Utd dominate but Newport won’t roll over unlike the Latics.
Prediction: Newport County 1-2 Manchester United
Newport County 2-4 Manchester United
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