Bruno Fernandes says United must win FA Cup 'to make the season not look as bad'

Bruno Fernandes suggested Manchester United need to save face with FA Cup glory this campaign, claiming it would 'make the season not look as bad'.

United looked rusty as they toiled past League two side Newport County 4-2 in the fourth round on Sunday, even surrendering a two-goal lead at one stage.

Captain Fernandes, who opened the scoring and won Mail Sport's Player of the Match award, insisted United have to make amends for losing the final 2-1 last season to Manchester City.

On kicking on after the win, he said: 'Of course 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 and game by game.

'But we know that to make the season look not as bad as we have to win.

'We have to try to win this trophy because it's important for us we have been in the final last year unfortunately didn't get the trophy and we know how much how much it means, the FA Cup, for our fans, for our club, for the country.

'So we know how important it is. And it's important for us too because we want to  get in to the final again and win.'

The FA Cup is their only realistic chance of winning a competition this season. United are out of the Champions League and Carabao Cup, so there's zero chance of winning those, and sitting eighth in the Premier League 16 points off the pace dosn't bode well.

Fernandes scored after just seven minutes against Newport and Kobbie Mainoo doubled the lead not long after with his first United goal as they made a flying start at Rodney Parade.

But the spirit of giant-killing fell upon Newport and goals from Bryn Morris and Will Evans either side of the break infused the Welsh club with the belief that an upset could be on the cards.

U