I was a ball-boy in huge Man Utd cupset, now I’m out to KO Erik ten Hag and Co in huge FA Cup shock

SEB PALMER-HOULDEN struck to give Newport victory over Wrexham – and now has Manchester United back in his sights.

The Bristol City loanee was a 13-year-old ball-boy when the Robins shocked United in the League Cup in 2017.

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Seb Palmer-Houlden is confident that Newport can beat Man Utd[/caption]

And he fancies another upset when Erik ten Hag’s men travel to Rodney Parade in the FA Cup on Sunday.

The 19-year-old striker, who headed in the first-half winner against the Red Dragons after Will Boyle was sent off for the visitors, declared: “Bring on Man United! I cannot wait for it, it’s a boyhood dream to play a big team like that.

“These fans will be amazing and we’ll get this place rocking.

“It’s probably the biggest game I’ve ever played in, it’s amazing.

“I watched Bristol City play Man United when I was a ball-boy. That was an amazing feeling and it shows that anything can happen.

“Cup nights are really special and we’ve shown that we’re strong, we’re resilient and we can win.”

Exiles boss Graham Coughlan laughed off suggestions that Ten Hag’s men will be intimidated by the atmosphere at Rodney Parade but he cannot wait to take on his boyhood team.

He said: “Manchester United play in front of 75,000 every other week, so I don’t think 9,000 here will upset them or knock them out of their rhythm. But, it’s a brilliant tie, a great game against probably the biggest club in the world, some world-class players.

“It’s a great test for us, it will be a great event for the club. And I just hope we can do ourselves justice.”

Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson, whose side could have gone top, reckons United will not relish their trip to South Wales.

He said: “I think they’ll do all right. It’s a difficult place to come. The pitch is a bit lively, it’s a bit bobbly.

“Newport, over the years, have had some good cup shocks and you can see why, because it is a good atmosphere when the ground is full.

“I’m sure next week they’ll be ready to give it a good go, and good luck to them.”

The Red Dragons head to Blackburn in the Cup next Monday and Parkinson hopes his injury worries will have eased.

He said: “A lot was against us, in terms of the sending-off and losing four players to injury during the week. It’s a big disruption and the mountain was just too high to climb.

“It hurts when it’s a local derby and our fans have come down in their  numbers and given us great support.

“But we’ve got nine days before our next game and we’ll have to dust ourselves down and come back stronger.”