FA Cup

MAIDSTONE will travel to either Sheffield Wednesday or Coventry in the fifth round of the FA Cup. The sixth-tier side beat Ipswich 2-1 on Saturday and now they get another tough tie away from home.
Man City will travel to Luton and Chelsea or Aston Villa will host Leeds or Plymouth.

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Follow All the action from the FA Cup fifth round draw with our live blog below…
Spoils shared at Vicarage Road
A late equaliser from Southampton has kept their hopes alive of making it to the fifth round.
Martins scored early on for The Hornets before Armstrong ensured that The Saints get a replay.
The winners of this one could potentially be heading to Anfield in the next round.
Copy linkCopiedNetflix could welcome the Saudi State
If Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny’s Wrexham can upset the odds against Blackburn tomorrow evening, a big tie beckons.
The Welsh club would welcome Newcastle Utd to the Racecourse Ground.
It would be a strange feeling The Magpies’ stars, heading to a League Two club meaning they get to star on Netflix.
Copy linkCopiedTrip to Kenilworth Road for Pep
Man City will have a tricky tie as they travel to Luton Town.
They found it hard work earlier in the season when they played.
After falling behind to an Adebayo goal, Bernardo Silva and Grealish managed to fire them to victory.
It certainly will be a cauldron of noise for the FA Cup fifth round.
Credit: Getty
Copy linkCopiedClose but no cigar for The Stones
Maidstone Utd were just one ball away from their dream draw.
With only four teams left in the pot, it seemed fate was going to give them Man City in money-spinning tie.
There were groans up and down the country as they drew Sheff Wed or Coventry.
Even fans of other clubs wanted to see the minnows get the financial rewards they deserve from making it this far.
Glen Johnson had other ideas sadly.
Copy linkCopiedFA Cup fifth round draw in full
Blackburn or Wrexham vs Newcastle
Chelsea or Aston Villa vs Leeds or Plymouth
Bournemouth vs Leicester
Liverpool or Norwich vs Watford or Southampton
Bristol City or Nott’m Forest vs Newport or Man Utd
Wolves vs Brighton
Sheff Wed or Coventry vs Maidstone Utd
Luton Town vs Man City
Copy linkCopiedLuton Town vs Man City
Copy linkCopiedSheff Wed/Coventry vs Maidstone Utd
Copy linkCopiedWolves vs Brighton
Copy linkCopiedBristol City/Nott’m Forest vs Newport/Man Utd
Copy linkCopiedLiverpool/Norwich vs Watford/Southampton
Copy linkCopiedBournemouth vs Leicester
Copy linkCopiedChelsea/Aston Villa vs Leeds/Plymouth
Copy linkCopiedBlackburn/Wrexham vs Newcastle
Copy linkCopiedFifth round draw starting…..
Copy linkCopiedLiverpool looking likely
Liverpool have fought off an equaliser from Norwich to go 2-1 ahead at Anfield.
They look the more likely of the two sides to cement a place in the fifth round draw.
Watford still lead Southampton 1-0 in the other ongoing fourth round fixture.
Credit: Reuters
Copy linkCopiedExpected draw time
After the earlier delay of the draw – due to crowd troubles at the Hawthorns – the draw will now take place at half time of the Liverpool vs Norwich game.
That is estimated to be at around 3.20pm.
Copy linkCopiedCurrent scores
Liverpool and Watford look like they will be joining Wolves in the fifth round draw later this afternoon.
Both sides lead their opposition in today’s fourth round ties.
Here’s how it looks as things stand…
West Brom 0-2 Wolves (FT)
Liverpool 1-0 Norwich (19′)
Watford 1-0 Southampton (HT)
Copy linkCopiedFA Cup fixture dates
The fifth round fixtures are set to get underway on February 28.
The countdown begins to the final which will take place at Wembley on May 25.

Fifth round – Wednesday, February 28
Quarter-finals – Saturday, March 16
Semi-finals – Saturday, April 20
Final – Saturday, May 25

Copy linkCopiedWolves book their spot
Wolves’ 2-0 win over rivals West Brom means they have booked their spot in the draw.
Watford currently lead Southampton 1-0 as they look to secure their spot in the next round too.
Copy linkCopiedDraw delayed
Following the delay cause by crowd troubles in the West Brom vs Wolves game, today’s draw has been pushed back.
The draw will now take place at half-time in Liverpool’s clash with Norwich.
Copy linkCopiedWest Brom vs Wolves back underway
The Black Country derby is back underway.
After a significant delay the game starts again from a kick off.
Wolves remain 2-0 up and look like they’re heading for the fifth round.
Copy linkCopiedPrize money
Teams who advance past the fifth round will bag themselves £225,000.
That kind of money would be huge for teams in the lower divisions who are eyeing a giant killing.
Maidstone United already bagged themselves a trajectory-changing £120,000 for their win over Ipswich yesterday.
Copy linkCopiedTeams return to pitch
Players from both Wolves and West Brom have returned to the field of play at the Hawthorns.
The game is yet to get back underway, but players are warming back up in positive signs.
The terrible scenes have delayed the game by almost 30 minutes now.
Copy linkCopiedWest Brom vs Wolves suspended
West Brom’s clash with Wolves has been delayed due to crowd troubles in the Hawthorns Stadium.
Fans spilt onto the pitch while police and stewards were forced to intervene.
The match has been stopped until it is safe to continue.
The delay could see today’s draw pushed back as a result.

Copy linkCopiedWolves in the pot?
Wolves look as though they have secured their spot in the pot for the draw.
They have taken a 2-0 lead against rivals West Brom and with just over 15 minutes remaining they look like they will be heading into the fifth round.
If things stay as they are they will occupy ball number four in the draw.
Credit: Getty
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MANCHESTER UNITED take on League Two side Newport County today in a huge FA Cup tie. Erik Ten Hag’s side will be looking to avoid a massive upset and they’ll have to do it without Marcus Rashford, who misses the game through illness.

Kick-off time: 4.30pm GMT
Stream/TV: BBC One/iPlayer
Newport XI: To follow
Man Utd XI: To follow

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Spiky…
Erik ten Hag was asked by the BBC about Marcus Rashford’s absence today.
“He reported ill”, was his first response when asked where he was.
Pushed further on nightclub reports and pending disciplinary matter, he snapped back: “It’s an internal matter. I’ll deal with that.”
Copy linkCopiedThe danger men
Will Evans is the man that the minnows will be praying can fire them to giantkilling glory.
The 26-year-old forward already has 17 goals this term for the play-off chasing Exiles and he knows it will just take one more against United to achieve legendary status at the club.
For United, they could look to Rasmus Hojlund who leads the line today.
He has two goals in his last three games and showing a bit of goal-scoring form.

Copy linkCopiedMan in the middle
David Coote is today’s referee.
He’s issues 19 yellow cards in his last four games in the middle.
The game previous to those he showed ten yellows and two reds cards.
Copy linkCopiedTen Hag excitement
Erik ten Hag has said games like this highlight the ‘charm’ in cup football.
And he reckons his side are well equipped for teams raising their game against Man Utd.
He said: “I think we have the experience often to go into an opposition who play their biggest game. I think exactly every game against them, they want so much to win more than against any other opponent.
“So that attitude from the opposition, that is usual for us. But it’s not about them. It’s about us. If we show the right mentality there, it’s all about that.”
“We will manage the whole situation, of course, but also don’t make an item from it. It is what it is.
“And you know, that is also the charm from cup football. Take it as it is, act professional and make sure you get a win and go into the next round.”
Copy linkCopiedThe draw in full
Here was the 5th round draw, if you haven’t caught it already.
As mentioned, United or Newport will face Bristol City/Nottingham Forest.
Non-league Maidstone are at Sheffield Wednesday or Coventry.
And if Wrexham beat Blackburn tomorrow, they will welcome Newcastle to the Racecourse Ground!

Blackburn/Wrexham v Newcastle
Chelsea/Aston Villa v Leeds/Plymouth
Bournemouth v Leicester
Liverpool/Norwich v Watford/Southampton
Bristol City/Nottingham Forest v Newport/Man Utd
Wolves v Brighton
Sheffield Wednesday/Coventry v Maidstone United
Luton v Man City

Copy linkCopiedLatest odds
Another way of showing the task for Newport ahead is by looking at today’s odds.
Betfair make the 17/1 chances to win the tie today – with United 1/100 to qualify from this tie in whatever shape.
Betfair: Newport County vs Man United match odds

Newport County – 17/1
Draw – 7/1
Man Utd – 1/12

Betfair: Newport County vs Man United – To Qualify odds

Newport County – 16/1
Man Utd – 1/100

Copy linkCopiedViews from SunSport’s Justin Allen at Rodney Parade 
Harry Maguire and Erik ten Hag stopped to sign autographs and shirts as they walked into Rodney Parade.
The United boss has dropped Marcus Rashford after he partied in a nightclub in Belfast.
Rashford was one of the players many of the Newport players were looking forward to facing.
In fact, midfielder Nathan Wood wanted to grab his shirt post-match – but the England striker will not be playing here at Rodney Parade.

Copy linkCopiedThe gulf
We know it’s a tall ask for Newport this afternoon but just how big is it?
Well, there’s a huge 73 places between the pair in the English football pyramid.
Newport occupy 16th in League Two, with United hoping to climb up the table now some key men return.
They’re eighth in the top flight currently.

Copy linkCopiedHow the hosts line up
And the Newport XI – named by manager Graham Coughlan.
Danger man Will Evans is the one to look out for.
NEWPORT COUNTY XI: Townsend, Clarke, Delaney, Lewis, McLoughlin, Bennett, Morris, Wildig, Charsley, Palmer-Houlden, Evans
Copy linkCopiedTeam news
And we’ll start with the visitors.
We said Erik ten Hag will go strong and the United boss is at full strength.
Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw and Casemiro return from injury.
And there’s a debut in goal for Altay Bayindir!
MAN UTD XI: Altay, Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, Mainoo, Fernandes, Antony, Garnacho, Hojlund
Copy linkCopiedFifth round draw!
The team news is on the way, we’ll have that in just a few seconds.
But in the meantime, the fifth round draw is ongoing.
The winners of today’s tie will have an away tie at either Bristol City or Nottingham Forest – who will replay after a draw yesterday.
More on the draw later!
Copy linkCopiedGraham Coughlan massive red
Newport boss Graham Coughlan is looking for the biggest result of his managerial career today.
But he’s also a massive Reds fan – who watches the side across Europe!
He told the Daily Mail: “I followed United years ago, when they couldn’t win an argument, never mind a game.
“It was tough being a follower at that time because Liverpool were dominating, and you had to go to school every day and just get hammered. They’re going through a similar period now, like they experienced in the eighties, but they’ll come through and get to the other side of it.
“I was there the last time they lifted a trophy, the League Cup. Me and the kids were there. I was there the last time they lifted the FA Cup. 
“I’ve been to finals that they’ve lost. They gave me one of the best nights of my life in Barcelona. The FA Cup final in 1985. I was there when Liverpool beat them in the League Cup final in 1983. My missus will always accompany me when the big European games come around, the kids come with me for the league games.”
Copy linkCopiedSetting the scene
Here’s how we look with a little over an hour until kick off.
The United players have taken in their surroundings and are inside ahead of the warm up.
Credit: Reuters
Credit: Getty
Copy linkCopiedFifth round draw
A bit of a strange scenario as the fifth round draw is due shortly.
It was supposed to come before Liverpool’s tie with Norwich City.
But it was put back to half time – so will be on the way shortly.
Copy linkCopiedRashford illness
On that Rashford illness, the United star faces disciplinary action for missing training after back-to-back nights out in Belfast.
Rashford is in hot water after he ‘was too ill on Friday’, despite being spotted in Thompsons Garage nightclub hours earlier.
Rashford trained on Wednesday and was pictured in Lavery’s Bar that evening ahead of a planned day off.
He is believed to have been in Northern Ireland to see his pal and former academy team-mate Ro-Shaun Williams, who is signed for Larne FC.
The striker was then seen in Thompsons on Thursday and flew home by private jet the following morning.
Copy linkCopiedViews from SunSport’s Justin Allen at Rodney Parade 
The Manchester United team and entourage have just arrived into Newport. 
Thousands of home fans are in the streets to welcome them.
United are one of only two teams the League Two team have never faced from the top four divisions – Liverpool being the other.
Tickets for this game at Rodney Parade sold out in just little over half an hour on Monday.
There will be a capacity 9,500 packed in with 1,400 from United.

Copy linkCopiedTaking no chances
Erik ten Hag has said he’ll be taking a strong team for today’s fixture and is taking no chances.
But he WON’T have Marcus Rashford – more on that shortly…
The United boss said: “We’ll have a strong side.
“We have still some injuries like Victor Lindelof and Tyrell Malacia.
“Marcus Rashford was ill, Jonny Evans was ill so we have to see how they recover.
“But for the rest, we have players returning like Lisandro Martinez, like Luke Shaw, like Harry Maguire, like Casemiro which is a good thing.”
Copy linkCopiedGAME DAY!
Hello and welcome to today’s FA Cup fourth round coverage as League Two Newport aim to take the ultimate scalp against Manchester United.
County sit 16th in the fourth tier and are – of course – long odds to topple 12-time winners United.
But some might say it’s as good a time as any to take on Erik ten Hag’s men.
Nevertheless, there’s a major gulf between the two sides in all aspects.
It will be a good test for County – but one they’ll certainly relish.
Will United? That’s the question…
A place in the fifth round is up for grabs and we’ll have all the action here!
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MANCHESTER UNITED are through to the fifth round of the FA Cup after beating League Two side Newport County 4-2. Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo put the visitors ahead with two brilliant finishes before Newport pulled two back themselves.
Antony then put United back ahead, tapping home after Luke Shaw hit the post. Rasmus Holdjund then put the game to bed with a drilled finish of his own.

Kick-off time: 4.30pm GMT
Stream/TV: BBC One/iPlayer
Newport XI: Townsend, Clarke, Delaney, Lewis, McLoughlin, Bennett, Morris, Wildig, Charsley, Palmer-Houlden, Evans
Man Utd XI: Bayindir, Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo, Fernandes, Antony, Garnacho, Hojlund

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Draw in full
Here was the 5th round draw in its entirety, drawn earlier today.

Blackburn Rovers or Wrexham vs Newcastle
Chelsea or Aston Villa vs Leeds United or Plymouth Argyle
Bournemouth vs Leicester City
Liverpool vs Watford or Southampton
Bristol City or Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United
Wolves vs Brighton
Sheffield Wednesday or Coventry City vs Maidstone United
Luton Town vs Manchester City

Copy linkCopiedICYMI
Manchester United had to do it without Marcus Rashford today.
The forward is in hot water after reporting ill when not making training on Friday.
It later emerged he’d been out in Belfast on the Thursday night – and Erik ten Hag was spiky when questioned pre-match.
“He reported ill”, was his first response when asked where he was.
Pushed further on nightclub reports and pending disciplinary matter, he snapped back: “It’s an internal matter. I’ll deal with that.”
Copy linkCopiedNow what?
United return to Premier League action in midweek with a tricky trip to Wolves on Thursday.
High flying West Ham and Aston Villa come next before a trip to Luton on February 18.

Copy linkCopiedMore from Coughlan
The boyhood United fan was asked what his biggest memory of today would be – and he said losing the game!
He also reckons his family in the stand – 14 of which traveled from Ireland last night – will be just as dejected.
He continued:” My biggest memory will be? Getting beat I suppose. You want memories to be successful. I’m a bad loser. There’s a real good bond in that dressing room and they represented the club immensely today.
“It wasn’t to be but I’m so proud of the lads. We needed those little moments and it didn’t fall for us.
“My family will probably be feeling the same as me, a little bit dejected. It hasn’t sunk in for me yet what we’ve achieved. We’ve just come up a little bit short on the day.”
Copy linkCopiedCoughlan reacts
The Newport manager says scoring twice against United today will live with his players forever.
He was full of praise for the character of his side and admitted he was dreaming of a replay at one stage.
He told Match of the Day: “The best team won, they were clinical when they got their chances.
“At 2-2 the ball comes off the post and it fell to Antony. I did think at 2-2 we could possibly force a replay if we could weather the storm. Class saw them through.
“A lesser team might have chucked the towel in but I spoke about character at half-time. The lads reacted really well in the second half.
“When you score two goals against Manchester United, that creates memories. That will live with our boys forever. I’ve challenged our lads to push on.”
Copy linkCopiedInto round 5
At the end of the day, United got the result they came for.
They’ll be back on the road in the next round, too.
United head to the winners of Bristol City vs Nottingham Forest, who’ll contest a replay.
Copy linkCopiedTen Hag reacts
The United boss continues the spiky nature of speaking to the press that he started the day with.
He also didn’t appear to be in the picture when the benches exchanged handshakes at the end….
He told Match of the Day: “The first 35 minutes minutes were very comfortable leading 2-0. It should have been 3-0 or 4-0. They created chances out of nothing.
“Our defence transition was not great. We had to start again to win this game and we did. Well done boys.
“We controlled the game, maybe we went a little bit slower. We had the chance to go 3-0. Garnacho hit the crossbar. They had nothing, really nothing and then they scored a goal.”
Copy linkCopiedMain man
Speaking of which, Bruno Fernandes was awarded the Emirates Man of the Match for his display today.
Copy linkCopiedBruno reacts
United skipper Bruno Fernandes was disappointed with today’s score, admitting it ‘wasn’t perfect’.
He told Match of the Day: “It wasn’t the result we wanted.
“We wanted to win and we got it, but the result wasn’t the perfect one for us.
“We didn’t want to concede goals. Their first was an unbelievable shot but we had to kill the game before letting them get a second.”
Copy linkCopiedFull time stats
The numbers behind that 90 minutes of football.
Newport with plenty of attempts at goal and will be rightly proud of their efforts.
United were always going to have more of the ball but didn’t do particularly a lot with it.

Copy linkCopiedViews from SunSport’s Justin Allen at Rodney Parade 
United have got past a huge banana skin here at Rodney Parade but it’s not been convincing.
The League Two side had them rocking after Bryn Morris and Will Evans scored either side of half time to come back from 2-0 down.
United got through in  thanks to Anthony’s tap-in after Luke Shaw’s cracker bounced back of the right post – and then Rasmus Hijlund made the game safe in injury time. 
If this was a League Two game you would say United deserved it but when you consider the gulf in class between the teams you have to say Erik ten Hag’s team have been poor.
Lots for Ten Hag to ponder going forward. 
Newport meanwhile can be proud and they banked £400,000 from this tie.
Copy linkCopiedFull time!
Manchester United are through but they were made to work for it!
Newport 2-4 Man Utd

Copy linkCopiedNewport 2-4 Man Utd
98. CLOSE!
Evans wins Newport a free kick after being swiped by McTominay.
It’s a good opportunity wide on the left to create one final big chance which they work short.
It’s played to Waite 25 yards from goal, who curls an effort towards the top corner and Altay has to tip over at full stretch.
Copy linkCopiedNewport 2-4 Man Utd
It was a nice ball through from McTominay which Garnacho picked up to feed Forson.
His attempt on the slide is saved well by Townsend but Hojlund is on hand to convert the rebound from 12 yards.
Copy linkCopiedGOOOALLLL!!!
Game over as United score a fourth.
Rasmus Hojlund with the goal to make sure the visitors are in the 5th round.
Copy linkCopiedNewport 2-3 Man Utd
90+3′ The header is won at the back post but it’s comfortable for the United keeper to claim underneath his bar.

Copy linkCopiedNewport 2-3 Man Utd
90+2. A battle on the right is won by Waite.
He turns Dalot and finds Morris again 30 yards from goal and he hits a bullet towards goal which is deflected behind for a corner!
Copy linkCopiedNewport 2-3 Man Utd
There will be a minimum of NINE minutes additional time played.
We’re not quite done yet….
Copy linkCopiedNewport 2-3 Man Utd
CLOSE!
90′ Evans picks up a loose ball 30 yards from goal and drives a few yards before unleashing a fierce strike across goal which flies narrowly wide.
Copy linkCopiedNewport 2-3 Man Utd
87. United make another pair of changes:

0FF: Antony & Martinez
ON: Forson & Maguire

Copy linkCopiedNewport 2-3 Man Utd
87. The free kick is far, far too deep and drifts away for a goal kick.
Copy linkCopiedNewport 2-3 Man Utd
The game will restart now with that free kick for the home side.
The United medical staff will see to all needs on the pitch while the Newport medics deal with the situation off it.
Copy linkCopiedNewport 2-3 Man Utd
There’s a pause in play as the medical staff deal with a medical emergency in the crowd.
The physios dart across the pitch to see to the individual.
Of course, we hope they’re OK and it’s not serious.
Copy linkCopiedNewport 2-3 Man Utd
82. Free kick to Newport, just inside the United half but right in front of the technical area.
McLoughlin is ready to take.
Soccer Football – FA Cup – Fourth Round – Newport County AFC v Manchester United – Rodney Parade, Newport, Wales, Britain – January 28, 2024 Manchester United’s Antony celebrates scoring their third goal REUTERS/Carl Recine
Copy linkCopiedNewport 2-3 Man Utd
80. A couple of United changes too.

OFF: Casemiro & Shaw
ON: McTominay & Kambwala

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