Chris Smalling, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard netted the goals as United wrapped up a businesslike victory against their third tier hosts to secure a last eight date with West Ham United at Old Trafford.
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Louis van Gaal has admitted that Manchester United have lost their “fear factor” following some abysmal results of late including a 2 – 1 defeat to FC Midtjylland in the Europa League.
“I don’t know [if De Gea will be fit for Thursday], it is not so heavy but we have to wait and see when we can start him again”, Van Gaal said, as quoted by United’s official website. I think we have done it fantastically.
“It is a big game on Thursday because it is a chance to qualify for the Champions League next year but we have to win a lot of matches. Day-by-day, always in sport, you can win and lose”.
“Everyone shall say Manchester United have to win against Shrewsbury Town, but for the players it is fantastic because we are in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup”. We are capable to win The FA Cup because we have also won against Swansea City at home or Watford away.
Van Gaal may well be anxious, given the present state of affairs, that he and his players could be in for another uncomfortable evening.
On the back of last week’s humiliating Europa League setback at Midtjylland, Van Gaal took few chances at Greenhous Meadow – naming arguably the strongest XI available amid United’s injury crisis – and he was rewarded with a composed and clinical performance on Monday. Of course it’s easily spoken but done is different.
However, if tonight’s match goes to a replay it’s likely the game will be played on either Tuesday or Wednesday, March 8-9, with Man United in Premier League action against Watford on Wednesday, March 2. Acting as a Cinderella story, Shrewsbury have beaten teams from the Premier League in both of the last FA Cup rounds, led by excellent play in the second half of those matches.
Trying to remain positive, he added: “We have to make teams fear us again”.
The home side are available at around 10/1, and lets face it, Manchester Utd are counting down the days until Van Gaal leaves Old Trafford.
Shrewsbury boss Micky Mellon believes his side must execute their plan perfectly to beat Manchester United.
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“The players can walk away with their heads held high because they gave us everything they had”, he said.
