BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton has sent a warning to Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag ahead of the Red Devils’ FA Cup clash against Newport County.
United punched their ticket to the fourth round of the FA Cup after their comfortable 2-0 victory over Wigan in the third round at the DW Stadium earlier this month.
Erik ten Hag’s men fell short of the FA Cup trophy last season after Manchester United suffered a 2-1 defeat to crosstown rivals Manchester City at Wembley.
The FA Cup remains Ten Hag’s only real chance of securing major silverware this season, with United out of the Champions League and the Carabao Cup.
League Two side Newport County will host United for the fourth-round FA Cup tie at the Rodney Parade on Sunday, with kick-off slated for 4:30pm UK time.
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Sutton predicts Newport County vs Man United
Speaking in his BBC Sport column, Sutton believes that United will be “too much” for Newport County and has backed the Red Devils to secure a “comfortable” win.
However, the 50-year-old TNT Sports pundit has warned Erik ten Hag that defeat to Newport County would be “one of the most embarrassing results” in United’s history.
Despite his warning to the Dutchman, Sutton expects Manchester United to beat Newport County 3-0 and punch their ticket to the FA Cup quarter-finals.
“I remember Newport knocking a Premier League team, Leicester, out of the FA Cup in 2019, and they have got the better of a few big clubs in recent years,” he said.
“I don’t think they will knock Manchester United out, though.
“This is a tricky away tie to negotiate, but let’s get it right, if Erik ten Hag’s side were to lose to a League Two team then it would be one of the most embarrassing results in the club’s history.
“So, I am going to be positive about United, they will have too much for Newport – it should be comfortable, and I even think they will keep a clean sheet.”
United must progress in the FA Cup
The FA Cup has a history of stunning upsets and United cannot overlook the challenge they face with Newport County in the fourth round of the competition.
United’s Carabao Cup title defence fell well short and they were also ejected from the Champions League after a poor showing in the early stages of the competition.
Outside of the race for the Premier League top four, United’s other run of fixtures until the end of the season would be dependent on their FA Cup progression.
Ten Hag’s men failed to lift the FA Cup last season, but United still have the chance to turn things around this season by making a solid challenge for the trophy.
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