Man Utd must beat lowly Shrews in FA Cup fifth round clash
Published:
Sam Barnard, Assistant Sports Editor | February 21, 2016
Shrewsbury Town v Man Utd
- FA Cup fifth round
- Monday, February 22nd
- Kick-off: 19:45 GMT
- New Meadow, Shrewsbury
- Live on BT Sport 2
Man Utd in must-win FA Cup clash
Remarkably, in Shrewsbury Town (15/2 match chances with Coral) and Manchester United’s (2/5) respective 130 and 138-year histories, they have never faced each other in a competitive meeting, despite being just geographically 60 miles apart.
But, on Monday evening the duo lock horns in the FA Cup fifth round, with both looking to put poor form in their leagues behind them.
League One side Shrewsbury are the lowest ranked team left in this year’s FA Cup, but couldn’t face the Red Devils at a better time following some terrible results and increasing pile-up of injuries.
Injury-hit United still too much for Shrews
The latest United star to see himself on the sidelines is perhaps the side’s only consistent shining light this season, David de Gea, who suffered a knee injury warming up before the midweek 2-1 Europa League loss away to FC Midtjylland.
It just goes to show how poor that result was, given that the Danish club only beat Gibraltarian outfit Lincoln Red Imps 1-0 at the same ground in Champions League qualifying.
However, while Louis van Gaal is increasingly becoming a dead man walking at Old Trafford, the Dutchman can at least try and make up his rapidly declining reputation before he eventually retires.
Victory at Shrewsbury will almost certainly not save his job, but Van Gaal will be hoping to rely on his young-guns in a bid to leave with some silverware during his spell.
Young Red Devils’ time to shine
With the likes of experienced players Wayne Rooney, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Marcos Rojo and Ashley Young all on the sidelines, Anthony Martial, Memphis Depay and William Keane all have a chance to impress.
France wonderkid Martial has made a promising start to his Man Utd career, and tops the anytime scoring market at evens, while Depay (5/4) and Keane (7/4) still have a lot to prove for their next potential manager.
For the hosts, who knocked out Championship clubs Cardiff City and Sheffield Wednesday to get to this stage, meanwhile, Andrew Mangan (10/3), Shaun Whalley (7/2) and Nathaniel Knight-Percival (9/1) have been their main men in front of net this season.
While, could there be a happy return for Larnell Cole against his former club? The current loanee from Fulham came through United’s youth academy, and with two goals already for the Shrews this term in the league, is 6/1 to fire home once more.
Man Utd’s results have varied in the Premier League in recent weeks, but a 3-1 away win is a tempting 10/1 price.
Related
Coral’s top tip: Will Keane is an enticing 7/4 to score anytime.
