You can’t afford to be a plonker at Rodney, Erik!
TEN HAG FACES UNITED’S BIGGEST GAME OF THE SEASON AT LOWLY NEWPORT
WHO would have thought in August that the most important game of Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag’s season would be a trip to South Wales to face lowly Newport County?
The League Two minnows, who have a recent proud history in the FA Cup, set up what manager Graham Coughlan called their biggest-ever game by beating non-league Eastleigh 3-1 in Tuesday’s third round replay.
It is a potential banana skin Ten Hag could do without given United’s dismal campaign so far, and the fact he is under increased scrutiny after Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s partial takeover.
The consequences of defeat at Rodney Parade for the Dutchman do not bear thinking about.
Even if boyhood United fan Coughlan laughs out loud at the suggestion his side can send the Red Devils crashing. Dubliner Coughlan, who has cheered on United from the
Wembley stands in cup finals, insisted: “Let’s not get carried away here!
“I do not want to start putting my size nines in it and coming out with stupid statements.
“It is something we will absorb and we will give it our best shot but they are still a class act with some world-class players.”
Newport will pocket an estimated £400,000 from the January 28 visit of 12-time winners United, which is being screened live on BBC television.
Captain Ryan Delaney believes the glamour tie is reward for the club’s loyal supporters, whose side are only eight places off the bottom of the Football League.
Delaney said: “There’s been ups and downs this season but the fans have stuck with us all the way. We’ve got to thank them for that.”
Only 11 years ago Newport were playing in the National League, but United do not have to look too far back to find examples of their giantkilling exploits.
Leeds and
Leicester have both been beaten at Rodney Parade in the last six seasons while in 2018 they were eight minutes away from dumping out Tottenham before Harry Kane rescued a replay.
When Coughlan took charge in October 2022 the Exiles were 19th in League Two, and last year they recorded record losses of £1.2million.
Former Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins is on the verge of buying the club, and Coughlan added: “Coming through the door 15 to 18 months ago, it was one of the toughest challenges I’ve taken on.
“Hopefully we have come through it and this tie can help us and be a springboard. I would really love to build something and use the financial gain to push the club on.”
Will Evans (centre) celebrates clinching third goal against Eastleigh
NEWCASTLE are willing to sell midfielder Isaac Hayden this month despite the club’s crippling injury list.
The 28-year-old is one of the Magpies’ longest-serving players having joined from Arsenal eight years ago. But he has barely played since Eddie Howe arrived.
Hayden has returned from a loan stint in Belgium with Standard Liege and is attracting plenty of interest from Championship clubs.