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Newport County Stuns Manchester United in FA Cup Upset

  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. nty-stuns-manchester-united-in-fa-cup-upset.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, January 30th 2026 at 15:02 GMT by BBC
      Locales: UNITED KINGDOM, GERMANY, DENMARK, FRANCE, PORTUGAL, SPAIN, ITALY, NETHERLANDS

Newport, Wales - January 30th, 2026 - The impossible happened today. League Two Newport County, a team battling for survival in the fourth tier of English football, eliminated Manchester United from the FA Cup, sending shockwaves through the footballing world and plunging the future of manager Erik ten Hag into serious doubt. The 4-2 penalty shootout victory, following a 2-2 draw at a raucous Rodney Parade, isn't just a cup upset; it's a glaring indictment of the systemic issues plaguing one of football's most storied clubs.

The defeat marks the latest in a troubling pattern for United, who have secured only one win in their last four outings and find themselves increasingly adrift from Premier League leaders Manchester City. More concerning than the results themselves is the manner of the performances. As Rio Ferdinand aptly stated after the match, "It's not just about results, but the performance isn't there. They keep making the same mistakes and it's been the same problems all season." This isn't a momentary slump; it's a deeply rooted crisis of confidence, tactical rigidity, and questionable personnel decisions.

Newport's triumph, their first victory over a top-flight opponent since 1964, is a fairytale story for the Welsh club and its supporters. But for Manchester United, it's a nightmare unfolding in slow motion. The game itself was a microcosm of United's current woes. A promising start, with Jonny Evans - enjoying a renaissance after returning to the club - opening the scoring, was quickly negated by Nathan Moriah-Welsh's equalizer. While Rasmus Hojlund briefly restored the lead, capitalizing on a penalty won after Antoni Martinez's ill-advised handball on the line, United couldn't hold on. A late goal forced the match to penalties, where Newport's goalkeeper, Nick Townsend, emerged as the hero.

Beyond the Scoreline: A Season Unraveling

Ten Hag arrived at Old Trafford in 2022 with a reputation for meticulous coaching and a commitment to attacking football, honed during his successful tenure at Ajax. He delivered a glimmer of hope last season, guiding United to an FA Cup victory - their first trophy in six years. However, that success now feels distant as this season has descended into a quagmire of inconsistency and underperformance.

The seventh-place standing in the Premier League is simply unacceptable for a club of Manchester United's stature and resources. Exits from all other cup competitions further amplify the pressure. While a top-four finish and Champions League qualification remain mathematically possible, the team's current trajectory suggests a grim outcome. The club's financial performance is also being impacted, with sponsorship deals potentially at risk if the team continues to underperform.

However, the on-field struggles are only part of the story. Ten Hag's management of the squad has come under intense scrutiny. The handling of Jadon Sancho, currently ostracized from the first-team squad following a public disagreement over fitness and attitude, has been particularly damaging. While discipline is essential, the manner in which the situation was handled has raised questions about Ten Hag's leadership and man-management skills. Reports suggest internal friction exists within the squad, with several players reportedly unhappy with the manager's tactics and training methods.

The Road Ahead: What Next for United and Ten Hag?

The club's hierarchy faces a difficult decision. Sacking Ten Hag mid-season would be a drastic move, potentially destabilizing the team further. However, allowing the current situation to continue is equally perilous, risking another season of mediocrity and further damage to the club's reputation. A significant investment in the January transfer window could provide a short-term boost, but it's unlikely to address the deeper, systemic issues.

Several potential replacements are already being discussed in footballing circles, including current Brighton & Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi and former Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann. However, attracting a top-tier manager to Old Trafford, given the current climate, will be a significant challenge.

The next few weeks will be crucial. United face a challenging run of fixtures, including a Premier League clash against rivals Liverpool and a crucial Champions League tie. The results of those matches will likely determine Ten Hag's fate. One thing is certain: Manchester United are at a crossroads, and the decisions made now will shape the club's future for years to come.