Newport County manager Graham Coughlan feels FA Cup fourth round opponents Manchester United have two ‘special’ young players in Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo.
Coughlin could be handed the chance to take in their talents first-hand on Sunday afternoon too.
Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag handed Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo a starting berth during the comfortable 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic in round three, after all, the teenage duo arguably Manchester United’s stand-out performers on the night.
And while Coughlin’s focus is firmly fixed on a giant-killing for the ages – David welcoming Goliath to South Wales with a fixed smile on his face and a slingshot hidden behind his back – the self-professed United fan is excited to see what the future holds for Garnacho and Mainoo at Old Trafford.
Newport County host Manchester United
“Oh yeah, things can only get better,” the Dublin-born 49-year-old tells The Athletic.
“To be fair, United have been reaching cup finals and finished second in the league recently. It’s not too far away. It needs that one per cent extra from every player, fan, board member, and I’m sure the good times will return.
“I don’t see why not under Erik ten Hag.
“He’s got good players there and plenty of young players coming through. Alejandro Garnacho is a special talent. Kobbie Mainoo too.”
Garnacho, after one of the most exciting breakthrough seasons by any United youngster in recent memory, has taken his game to another level this term. The Argentina international scored that overhead kick during the same 3-0 win over Everton in which Mainoo shone on his long-awaited full debut.
“(Mainoo) looked like a seasoned pro with 300 games to his name when he played at Everton,” Coughlan adds. “I’d take that all day long, and I can’t wait to see him develop.”
Debut for Altay Bayindir in FA Cup clash
Ten Hag confirmed at his Friday press conference – after reacting to the bombshell news of Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool departure – that Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire could also feature at Newport.
Goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, meanwhile, will make his United bow in the absence of Andre Onana.
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