Erik ten Hag warned about Manchester United 'game of their life' they must win

Former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has warned Manchester United players they must prepare for the 'game of their life' when they travel to Newport County in the FA Cup fourth round.

Erik ten Hag's side heads to Rodney Parade on Sunday knowing they will be in for a trademark lower league atmosphere in South Wales. The Exiles sit 14th in League Two with 73 places separating them in the football pyramid.

However, Graham Coughlan's team will be hoping home advantage will be able to see them over the line against their star-studded opponents. As for United, they will be hopeful of avoiding one of the biggest giant killings of this year's competition.

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To do this, Fabregas warned on Planet Premier League the Reds must prepare thoroughly and not underestimate their fourth-tier opposition. He explained: "It is the game of your life. Believe me, you have to motivate yourself like this is the game of your life.

"When you play these games and you think you won it before you’ve even started and you’re better than them and too good for this fixture, most of the time, you end up paying for it. My experience tells me that these are the games that you have a lot to lose and little to win. So you better be ready for the fight."

Ten Hag knows the pressure will seriously ramp up on him if his team are knocked out of the cup by Newport. United have already been knocked out of the Champions League and Carabao Cup early doors and are dangerously adrift of the top four in the Premier League.

The Dutchman does have experience of facing opposition from lower down the pyramid this season after the Reds knocked League One's Wigan