Manchester United take on Newport County on the weekend in the FA Cup, where Cesc Fabregas has some advice for the Red Devils.
It’s a fixture of mammoth proportions. Only in the FA Cup do these sorts of games arise. Newport currently sits 14th in League Two of English football, a cosmic distance away from Manchester United.
However, United can’t slack off. Any cup encounter is a tough one and this one in particular is known for causing an upset.
Manchester United will have to make sure they’re still on their A game. A footballing legend agrees.

Cesc Fabregas on Manchester United vs Newport County
Cesc Fabregas also knows all too well about the FA Cup. During his time with Arsenal from 2005, he won the competition against Manchester United in what was a tense penalty shoot-out.
He spoke on Planet Premier League recently about the competition and more important the United against Newport fixture. He has some advice for the Manchester United first-team squad.
“It is the game of your life. Believe me, you have to motivate yourself like this is the game of your life,” he begins.
“When you play these games and you think you won it before you’ve even started and you’re better than them and too good for this fixture, most of the time, you end up paying for it.
“My experience tells me that these are the games that you have a lot to lose and little to win. So you better be ready for the for the fight.”
Newport away will not be easy for Manchester United…
After a long time away from football, this is going to be a seriously tough test for United. It will be at a ground with extremely tough conditions, and Erik ten Hag will have to adapt his play style to suit this.
Not to mention – the entire footballing world will also be rooting for the home side. Everyone loves an underdog story and that will fire up Newport like no end.
Fabregas is right – United need to prepare for the ‘game of their life’.
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