Coughlan proud after Newport set up FA Cup tie with boyhood club Man U

The Welsh side set up the spectacular tie by beating Eastleigh 3-1 at the Silverlake Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Second half goals from James Clarke and Will Evans saw the League Two side bounce back after Paul McCallum's leveller, much to the delight of their Manchester United supporting manager.

"Personally, for me and my family, it is a hell of an honour (to face Manchester United)," Coughlan beamed after the game.

"We’re a big Man United family, we’ve followed them through thick and thin.

“We’ve been to FA Cup finals with them, but that’s a story for another day.

"It means a lot to the football club but it means a lot to this group of players.

“This group of players have absolutely knocked their socks in.

"They’ve run through brick walls and they’ve put their bodies on the line since they’ve come in. I’m really proud of them.

"I’m going to have to ask them to put Man United on the back-burner (due to the game against Wrexham this weekend)."

He continued: "I can’t get my head around (playing Manchester United). They have unbelievable names.

"Just to have Manchester United Football Club coming to Rodney Parade is a hell of an achievement.

"I don’t know when it will sink in but I’m sure my dad and my brother are doing Irish jigs around the house at the moment. I can’t wait."

Even when being met with a wave of questions about facing Manchester United, Coughlan took time to acknowledge Eastleigh's FA Cup exploits. 

“Let’s not take anything away from Eastleigh.

“Let’s congratulate them. They have taken the scalp of a League One team here already in Reading.

“I’m pretty sure they would have fancied doing a League Two side tonight so fair play to them.

“I hope to see them push on from tonight and I hope that they can get into the playoffs.

“This is a really good club with some great people at it.

“I don’t want to be unfair to Eastleigh but I think there were a few more moments of quality from ourselves.”