Bruno Fernandes makes FA Cup vow as Man Utd avoid upset at Newport County

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has set his sights on silverware after his side avoiding a major FA Cup upset at League Two club Newport County.

The Red Devils skipper was in impressive form during the early stages of the game as he fired his side in front with just eight minutes on the clock before fellow midfielder Kobbie Mainoo doubled the lead just before the quarter-hour mark.

After spurning several good opportunities to add to their lead, United were pegged back by a deflected effort from Bryn Morris and a Will Evans goal early in the second-half. Antony restored the Red Devils’ lead just after the midway point of the half before Rasmus Hojlund settled any doubts over the result when he added a fourth deep in stoppage time.

The result has sent United into the last 16 of the competition and they will discover their opponents when Nottingham Forest and Bristol City meet in a fourth round replay on Monday week, with Erik ten Hag’s men visiting the victors on the final weekend of February.

After lifting major silverware in the form of the Carabao Cup last season, the FA Cup remains United’s only realistic opportunity of claiming a major trophy before the end of the current campaign - and it is an opportunity Fernandes is determined to grasp.

He told BBC Sport: “We have to understand that our chance to win a trophy this season is the FA Cup and we have to give everything to get into the final, step-by-step, game-by-game. But to make the season look not as bad as it has been, we have to try and win this trophy because it is important for us.

“We were in the final last year, unfortunately we didn’t get the trophy but we know how much the FA Cup means to our fans and our club. We know how important it is and it is important for us too because we want to get into the final and win.”

United will return to Premier League action on Thursday night when they visit Wolverhampton Wanderers.