Newport County host Manchester United at Rodney Parade this Sunday in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup. Both sides have struggled so far this season in their respective leagues, needing a Cup run to boost the momentum.
Newport County currently sit 14th in League Two. In 28 games, Newport have ten wins, seven draws and 11 losses, leaving them on 37 points, a comfortable 12 points above the relegation zone.
In their last five games in all competitions, Newport have three wins and two draws.
Shane McLoughlin thought he had won it for Newport with his late goal, but a goal from Tope Fadahunsi in the last minute of normal time grabbed a 1 - 1 draw for Sutton United. In the Third Round of the FA Cup, Newport hosted Eastleigh. Following the red card to Eastleigh’s George James Barbosa Langston, James Clarke opened the scoring for Newport. However, a penalty from Chris Maguire late on rescued a 1 - 1 draw and a replay.
Back in League Two, Newport took on Doncaster. Seb Palmer-Houlden scored the only goal of the game in the 93rd minute to give Newport the 1 - 0 win. The Third Round Replay saw Newport take on Eastleigh again. Aaron Wildig opened the scoring in the third minute, but Paul McCallum equalised just minutes into the second half. However, goals from Clarke and Will Evans gave Newport the 3 - 1 win.
The last time out for Newport was against Wrexham. Following William Boyle’s early red card, Palmer-Houlden scored the only goal of the game in a 1 - 0 win for Newport.
Manchester United, on the other hand, currently sit eighth in the Premier League after 21 games. The Red Devils have ten wins, two draws and nine losses which leaves them on 32 points, eight points from Tottenham in the Europa League spot.
In their last five games in all competitions, Manchester United have two wins, one draw and two losses.
Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus both scored in a six minute period in the second half to give West Ham a 2 - 0 win over Man United. However, United bounced back against Aston Villa. John McGinn and Leander Dendoncker gave Villa an early 2 - 0 lead, but a brace from Alejandro Garnacho and a goal from Rasmus Hojlund gave United the 3 - 2 win.
The trip to the City Ground was not as successful for United. Nicolas Dominguez opened the scoring for Nottingham Forest, but Marcus Rashford equalised within 15 minutes. However, a goal from Morgan Gibbs-White gave Nottingham Forest the 2 - 1 win. In the Third Round of the FA Cup, Man United took on Wigan Athletic. A goal from Diogo Dalot and penalty from Bruno Fernandes gave United the dominant 2 - 0 win, where United registered 33 shots.
The most recent outing for United was against Tottenham. Hojlund opened the scoring for United in the third minute but Richarlison equalised for Tottneham. Rashford put United back ahead just before halftime, but Rodrigo Bentancur equalised one minute into the second half. Neither team could score again and had to settle for a 2 - 2 draw.
Newport and Manchester United have met four times in their histories, with the first meeting coming back in 1946. Manchester United have won every meeting, scoring 14 goals in comparison to Newport scoring three times.