Man Utd in Disappointing Win Against Newport: Erik ten Hag Let Down by £104m Trio
Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag was left disappointed by his veteran Champions League winning duo and star wonderkid in the 4-2 win against fourth division minnows Newport County.
Man Utd in ‘narrow’ win against minnows
Club and supporter expectations going into the fourth round FA Cup tie against 16th place League Two side Newport County would’ve been a straightforward path into the fifth round.
Erik ten Hag opted to field his strongest Man Utd squad – barring Altay Bayindir over Andre Onana and Antony for Marcus Rashford, who was left out after reporting being too ill for training – only hours after being seen clubbing in Belfast.
The tie was anything but straightforward, however, as League Two strugglers Newport County came back from two goals down in the first half to being level at the break.
Man Utd were impressive in the first half, taking a two-goal lead with strikes from Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo within 13 minutes of the game.
However, Man Utd and their ugly habits that have led to their worst start to a season since 1930 were at the forefront, as the Red Devils wasted multiple chances before eventually conceding in the 36th and 47th minute on either side of halftime.
It took Man Utd 68 minutes to take the lead again with a striker from Antony – his first goal of the season, and the 94th minute in stoppage time where ten Hag could breathe a sigh of relief as Hojlund scored with his first shot of the game.
Erik ten Hag disappointed with the Stars
The unconvincing performance and somewhat narrow win against Newport County – who haven’t even been particularly good in England’s fourth division with 11 losses in 28, and three performances, in particular, would be cause for concern for Erik ten Hag.
Alejandro Garnacho was back in the squad on the left wing and looked a threat by using his of pace and movement to get behind Newport’s defence multiple times.
However, his decision-making was poor as he failed to finish multiple chances to kill the game off, especially after the 2 goal cushion. Hojlund was seen visibly angry at the Argentine.
Garnacho has been a revelation this season and has established himself within the starting XI, but it is clear he still has a lot to learn – being called out by Bruno Fernandes on his selfish play in the final third.
Raphael Varane‘s career in a Man Utd shirt is as tenuous as ever, and this performance had done nothing to ease doubters – carrying on his sloppy form of the season into this game.
The Frenchman underwhelmed and looked clearly inferior to centre-back partner Lisandro Martinez, winning just one duel and completing two of five attempted long balls.
So poor has been his form that pantomime villain, Harry Maguire is now in contention as first-choice for the position at Old Trafford.
Casemiro returned to his role as the holding midfielder, granting the freedom of movement to midfielders Mainoo and Fernandes and allowing them to play up the field more effectively.
The Brazilian failed to impress though – Recording a 66% pass accuracy, losing possession 17 times, committing four fouls and winning just one of five ground duels.
