With goals from Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo in the first thirteen minutes, Erik ten Hag’s team got off to a great start in their fourth-round match against League Two opponents.
The home fans were filled with excitement for a historic cup upset when Newport rallied magnificently, cutting the deficit in half before halftime through Bryn Morris and Will Evans. Shortly after the interval, Newport scored to equalize the score.
Antony scored United’s second goal midway through the second half, reestablishing the team’s lead after Luke Shaw’s shot had missed the post. The contest was ended late on by Rasmus Hojlund, and the Premier League team will go on the road to take on either Nottingham Forest or Bristol City in the fifth round.
Marcus Rashford was absent from training on Friday, just hours after allegedly attending a nightclub in Belfast, so speculation about his illness dominated the build-up to the match. The competition is United’s last chance to end the season with some silverware.
However, United showed no signs of being sidetracked as they raced out of their starting blocks and posed a persistent dаnger in expansive areas.
The first goal of the match occurred in the seventh minute. Antony, who was questionably offside, was set up by Fernandes, who then passed the ball back to the United captain, who smashed a first-time finish into the net.
Shortly after, Diogo Dalot released Newport open down the right wing, and Mainoo scored his first goal for the club after being set up by Dalot.
As United looked ready to cruise to victory as Newport failed to mount a serious challenge, Alejandro Garnacho Һit the crossbar and Fernandes and Rasmus Hojlund patiently awaited a tap-in.
The contest turned on a single magical moment when the ball fell to Morris from 25 yards away, and his magnificent effort reached the far corner after taking a deflection from Lisandro Martinez.
That put Newport in a great position to score within two minutes of the restart, and they remained in the game going into halftime. Evans was at his pinpoint best at the near post to respond to a left-wing cross from Adam Lewis and nudge the ball past Altay Bayindir, who was making his debut.
After that goal, Newport looked like they could win it all at home or at least force a rematch, but United scored the next goal, crushing the hosts.
For United’s first goal in 23 games this season, Antony was there to convert a right-footed cross by Luke Shaw after the striker had curled his shot past the post.
With nine minutes of extra time remaining, the match was still in the balance, but Newport mustered up the energy for a last push. Omari Forson’s attempt was rescued, and Hojlund swooped in after a quick scramble, cutting it short; the race for Newport was then finally run.