As both the sides meet for the first time in a competitive game, Shrewsbury will be looking to take advantage of Manchester United’s slump in form, as Louis van Gaal remains under immense pressure from the club’s authorities as well as the fans.
Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal will be hopeful of progressing in the FA cup run this season, as the club gears up to play their 50th consecutive FA Cup fixture.
The Red Devils suffered dismal losses in their previous two games — a 2-1 Premier League defeat against Sunderland, followed by a 2-1 Europa League defeat against Midtjylland. They also have two of their most important players — Wayne Rooney and David de Gea — on the sidelines, among many other first-team players.
Lineups
Shrewsbury
Possible starting XI (3-5-2): Leutwiler, Knight-Percival, Whitbread, Grandison, Brown, Black, Whalley, Ogogo, Grimmer, Mangan, Akpa-Akpro
Manchester United
Possible starting XI (4-2-3-1): Romero, Borthwick-Jackson, Blind, Smalling, Varela, Carrick, Schneiderlin, Memphis, Lingard, Mata, Martial
Key Stats
- Manchester United have lost only once to a lower league side in their last 45 FA Cup games. The 1-0 home defeat came in January 2010 against Leeds United.
- Shrewsbury beat Sheffield Wednesday and Cardiff City in the previous two FA Cup rounds, but all in all, have a bad record with 14 losses in 23 FA Cup matches against top-flight teams.
- The Red Devils have won the fifth round FA Cup clash five consecutive times in the past, whenever they’ve reached the stage.
- Shrewsbury have kept five clean sheets in their past seven FA Cup fixtures and have lost just one of them.
- Manchester United haven’t won the cup since 2004, and have only finished as runners-up on two occasions: 2005 against Arsenal and 2007 against Chelsea.
Prediction
Shrewsbury 0 – 2 Manchester United
On paper, there seems to be a huge gulf between both the sides with Shrewsbury struggling to stay in the third tier League One against 20-time top-tier and 11-time FA Cup winners. The same difference is likely to be seen on the field too, as Louis van Gaal will hope to ensure a win just to keep his job, if for nothing else.
Odds (Marathon Bet)
Shrewsbury win: 41/5
Draw:43/10
Manchester United win: 39/100
