COUNTY BOUNTY

Minnows strike it rich with United there for taking

- ALEX CROOK

WHO would have thought in August that the most important game of Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag's season would be a trip to South Wales to face lowly Newport County? 

The League Two minnows, who have a recent proud history in the FA Cup, set up what manager Graham Coughlan called their biggest ever game by beating non-League Eastleigh 3-1 in Tuesday's third round replay.

It is a potential banana skin Ten Hag could do without given United's dismal campaign so far and the fact he is under increased scrutiny following Sir Jim Ratcliffe's partial takeover of the club.