Man Utd have three lucky players and other talking points from Newport FA Cup win

But while United started superbly they made hard work of a spirited and dogged Newport side.

Bruno Fernandes put the visitors ahead in the seventh minute, finishing superbly after a good pass from Antony.

Three players let off the hook

A goal and assist would suggest a good performance from Antony.

But the truth of the matter is that the Brazil international is infuriatingly wasteful most times he steps foot on a pitch.

Antony was getting plenty of flak online before his goal, which will do his confidence good. He must do better if he’s to be at Old Trafford for the long term, however.

Raphael Varane and Casemiro didn’t cover themselves in glory either.

Varane should have done better for Evans’ goal, allowing the Newport star to get in front of him to score.

And Casemiro was anonymous at times, with the veteran continuing to look a shadow of the player he was last season.

Newport deserve huge credit

While United aren’t the force they once were, they’ve still assembled a squad of expensive players.

Therefore, with Newport 2-0 down, the Welsh side could have been forgiven for throwing in the towel.

To their credit, however, they didn’t do that and instead fought with courage and bravery – even if it wasn’t enough to force a replay.

Manager Graham Coughlan also warrants praise for tweaking his tactics.

Altering his formation enabled his side to play with more creativity and it paid off. Had they not conceded two early goals, the match could have been completely different.

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Lack of service for Hojlund remains an issue

Man Utd had to dig deep to beat Newport in the FA Cup

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Rasmus Hojlund has struggled to score for United ever since his move from Atalanta back in the summer, even if he’s now on a run of three goals from his last four matches.

What that can’t detract from is, however, that the 20-year-old is starved of service.

Hojlund works hard for the team, with the Denmark international always willing to put in the graft.

Yet wingers must do better when it comes to finding the striker, with Antony and Alejandro Garnacho both guilty of being selfish.

Not even Harry Kane would be able to produce the goods in this United side when you look at the players who are meant to be creating chances…

Rashford absence raises eyebrows

Man Utd star Antony scored the winner but must improve in the wake of Newport FA Cup win

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Before the game, it emerged that Marcus Rashford was potentially facing disciplinary action.

That’s because the forward was spotted clubbing in Belfast twice last week before reporting he was too ill to train.

Ten Hag seemed no mood to discuss Rashford, saying it was an ‘internal matter’.

And the absence of the forward has certainly raised eyebrows.

Ten Hag has shown he isn’t afraid to lay down the law, having been tough with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho. He must do the same to Rashford if he feels the 26-year-old’s commitment is waning.