Erik ten Hag facing "nightmare" scenario when Man Utd take on Newport County

26 January 2024 , 08:39

767     0

Erik ten Hag is hoping to avoid an upset when Manchester United take on Newport County (Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)

Erik ten Hag is facing a "nightmare" scenario when Manchester United head to Newport County with the Red Devils overwhelming favourites.

The Premier League giants will head to the League Two side, who have expanded their stadium to cope with demand in their FA Cup fourth round tie. United saw off lower league opposition in Wigan to advance from the third round and will be aiming to avoid a shock result.

United have endured one of their worst campaigns in decades under the Dutchman and Chris Sutton believes "evens if he wins, he can't win" such is the task at hand. The FA Cup represents the only realistic shot at silverware and United will receive no plaudits should they see off the Newport.

Sutton said on the It's All Kicking Off podcast : "This is a nightmare game for Erik ten Hag. Evens if he wins, he can't win. It wasn't so long ago when Newport knocked out Leicester - Claude Puel was the Leicester manager and that ended up being the catalyst for his sacking.

"So this is a nightmare for Manchester United. We all expect them to win the game and we all expect them to win comfortably, but this is a game where if Ten Hag loses, the heat is really going to be on him. This is a game he cannot lose."

Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash

The Dutchman is yet to be on the end of a cup shock with his defeats in cup competitions during his tenure all coming against top flight opponents. Defeat for United in Wales would be one of their darkest days in the FA Cup - something they'll be desperate to avoid.

Ten Hag led the Red Devils to the final of the FA Cup last term, losing to neighbours Manchester City at Wembley. Reaching the showpiece event once again would represent a mild success given how low the feeling has been at Old Trafford at points this season.

Newport boss Graham Coughlan has warned United and their boss that they can expect a hostile atmosphere once they cross the border. He said: “It’s part of the job. He knows what he signed up for. We all do. When you put yourself in the firing line, there are going to be bullets flying and coming your way."

Samuel Meade