These games led to five strong candidates for our Player-of-the-Month award, before we ended up with the usual shortlist of three nominees.

Two of the goalscorers in Sunday's win at Newport County - Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes - are in the frame, along with Alejandro Garnacho.

Rasmus Hojlund, who netted against Wigan Athletic and Spurs, and Diogo Dalot, also a scorer in the FA Cup third round, were particularly unlucky to miss out on this occasion.

Read our summaries of the three Reds in contention below and then cast your vote...

BRUNO FERNANDES: 3 apps | 2 goals | 1 MOTM

The skipper has been in good form since the turn of the year, earning and scoring a penalty in the win at Wigan to start 2024 in a positive manner. The midfielder worked hard, as always, in the draw with Spurs but the Reds had to settle for a point in the end at Old Trafford.

A Man-of-the-Match display followed in the FA Cup triumph over Newport at the weekend. Bruno got the ball rolling with a crisp drive early on and was only denied another goal by a smart save from the hosts' keeper, Nick Townsend.

Our no.8 was last crowned Player of the Month in August but he was also shortlisted in November, finishing third in the voting.

ALEJANDRO GARNACHO: 3 apps | 0 goals 

The Argentina international has a chance of winning three monthly awards on the spin, following his successes in November and December.

He produced a sparkling performance at Wigan, hitting the woodwork in the first half with a superb attempt, and constantly running at the home defence. In the Spurs clash, he a fascinating battle with full-back Destiny Udogie and almost gained a late assist with a fine cross that Scott McTominay headed narrowly off target.

Finally, at Rodney Parade, Garnacho was again denied a goal when thrashing a shot against the bar, and he provided the through ball for Omari Forson that led to Hojlund ensuring victory with our fourth goal in injury time.

KOBBIE MAINOO: 3 apps | 1 goal | 1 MOTM

The Academy graduate continues to look at home in the first team and was voted our star man for his performance in the win at Wigan, showing maturity beyond his 18 years.

Another assured display followed against Spurs, when the midfielder came third in the Man-of-the-Match voting behind Hojlund and Marcus Rashford.

And who can forget his special moment with a first-ever senior goal coming in the 4-2 victory at Newport? The sweet finish, applied to Dalot's pass inside, handed the Reds a two-goal lead and he backed it up by playing the full 90 minutes and helping Erik ten Hag's men complete a smooth passage into the FA Cup fifth round.

Please have your say in our poll above; the winner will be announced on Thursday.