Manchester United survived a scare away to Newport County in the FA Cup fourth round as Erik ten Hag’s side ran out 4-2 winners.
United were seemingly cruising at 2-0 thanks to goals from Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo when Newport drew level through boyhood United fan Will Evans minutes into the second half after Bryn Morris cut the deficit in the first.
Ten Hag praised his United players for rescuing the situation and getting the win but was disappointed with the number of chances they squandered as his side avoided an almighty cup upset.
“First 35 minutes it was very comfortable, leading 2-0, we should have been leading by three or four,” ten Hag said. “They created no chances and then out of nothing- I also think this was a foul- but then they score.
“Straight after half-time, we make a mistake on the defensive transition, not great, and then you have to start again to win this game. But in the end, we finally did so well done to the boys.”
When asked how Newport were able to get back into the game, ten Hag said: “As I said we controlled the game, maybe we were a little bit slower but as I said we had the chances.
“The one with Garnacho was off the crossbar when there was two players in front of the goal and we had some shots with Antony. They had nothing, really nothing and then out of nothing they score a goal.”
Manchester United will now face the winners of the replay between Bristol City and Nottingham Forest in the fifth round.