Manchester United travelled to League One side Shrewsbury Town in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Monday looking to avoid a third consecutive defeat.
Man United dominated the first period at New Meadow and led 2-0 at the break courtesy of goals from Chris Smalling and Juan Mata.
The away side then had their third just past the hour through Jesse Lingard as the Premier League outfit eased into the quarter-finals, where they will meet West Ham United.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live FA Cup coverage continues from Shropshire as League One strugglers Shrewsbury Town welcome the mighty Manchester United in the fifth round of the competition. It should, should, be a fairly comfortable night for the visitors, but it would be fair to say that Louis van Gaal's side are not in the best place at the moment. Another shock could be on the cards!
Tonight will actually be the first time that these two clubs have ever met, but Man United have a pretty good record against third-tier opposition in the FA Cup. Indeed, the Premier League giants have scored 19 times in their last eight games against teams from the third tier, while they have won each of their last six fifth-round ties in this competition. The team news is imminent here!
Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from New Meadow. Who is in the Man United team tonight? Let's find out shall we...
TEAMS:
SHREWS: To follow.
UNITED: Romero; Varela, Smalling, Blind, Borthwick-Jackson; Schneiderlin, Herrera; Memphis, Mata, Lingard; Martial
Still waiting on the home team news tonight, but as for Man United, number one goalkeeper David de Gea remains on the sidelines with a knee problem, which means another start for Sergio Romero between the sticks. Cameron Borthwick-Jackson is also back from illness, while Guillermo Varela comes in at right-back in a team that shows three changes. Morgan Schneiderlin also replaces Michael Carrick, but otherwise it is the same side that lost in the Europa League on Thursday night.
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It must be said that the pitch is in wonderful condition tonight. Credit to the hosts...
PITCH PERFECT: @ManUtd boss Louis van Gaal inspects the superb surface at Greenhous Meadow. pic.twitter.com/CjkAlExfxb — Shrewsbury Town FC (@shrewsweb) February 22, 2016
TEAMS:
SHREWS: Leutwiler; Grandison, Whitbread, Grimmer, Knight-Percival; Black, Whalley, Brown, Ogogo; Akpro, Mangan
SHREWS: Leutwiler; Grandison, Whitbread, Grimmer, Knight-Percival; Black, Whalley, Brown, Ogogo; Akpro, Mangan
UNITED: Romero; Varela, Smalling, Blind, Borthwick-Jackson; Schneiderlin, Herrera; Memphis, Mata, Lingard; Martial
We have some Shrewsbury team news then! No real surprises in the home side's XI tonight, with Nathaniel Knight-Percival captaining the League One outfit from the back. Former Liverpool youngster Zak Whitbread, who has played in the Premier League for Norwich City, also starts in defence, while the brilliantly-named Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro will lead the attack. On-loan Fulham midfielder Larnell Cole, however, who is a former Manchester United youngster, is only on the bench.
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now around 35 minutes from kickoff on this cold and windy night in Shropshire. This tie is all about the romance of the FA Cup and it is certain to be a great night for the hosts, who will benefit financially whatever the outcome. The pressure is also very much off the League One outfit, who will be well aware of Man United's recent struggles.
In terms of Shrewsbury's progress to the fifth round – they overcame Grimsby Town after a replay to make round three, before recording an impressive 1-0 victory at Championship side Cardiff City. In the fourth round, they then managed to beat Sheffield Wednesday 3-2 in this very stadium.
Despite beating teams from a higher division in the last two rounds, Shrewsbury have actually lost 14 of their 23 FA Cup matches against top-flight opposition. They have also lost three of their last four matches at home, which has seen them drop into the relegation zone in the League One table.
In terms of recent form, it has been a bit of a mixed bag from the League One side in recent weeks. They have won two of their last five in all competitions and will enter this match off the back of a 3-2 victory at Blackpool in the league at the weekend. As mentioned, however, they are still inside the relegation zone in the League One table. It is a very big night for Town boss Micky Mellon...
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As for Man United, they will enter this match off the back of a 2-1 defeat at Danish side FC Midtjylland in the Europa League on Thursday. Van Gaal's side still have the chance to turn that last-32 tie around in the second leg at Old Trafford this week, but it was still an embarrassing defeat.
Indeed, the Red Devils have only won five of their last 18 games in all competitions – losing seven times in the process. The fact that two of those wins were in the FA Cup against Sheffield United and Derby County is an indication of just how poor they have been under a certain Van Gaal.
1 - Man Utd have lost just one of their last 45 FA Cup games vs lower-league opposition, losing at home to Leeds in Jan 2010 (W37 D7). Giant — OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 22, 2016
It is actually three matches since Man United last recorded a win – at home to Stoke City in the Premier League on February 2. That victory followed a 3-1 success at Derby in the fourth round of the FA Cup and at that point, it did appear that the 20-time English champions were making steps forward.
Man United also played well in a 1-1 draw at Chelsea on February 7, but they were beaten 2-1 at Sunderland in their last league match. That result left them in fifth position in the table and they are still six points off the top four. In all honesty, it is quite incredible that Van Gaal still has a job at Old Trafford!
There is no getting away from the fact that this is a vital week for the Red Devils. Defeat tonight and then failure to overcome Midtylland in the Europa League on Thursday would end their challenge for a trophy and they then welcome Arsenal to Old Trafford in the Premier League at the weekend.
Realistically, Van Gaal needs to record three wins from the next three matches to build some bridges with the supporters, but it is widely thought that Jose Mourinho is just waiting for the call from a certain Ed Woodward. Man United have been unrecognisable over the last couple of seasons and they no longer have the fear-factor of the Sir Alex Ferguson era. That is a bare-faced fact.
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Just a reminder of the FA Cup quarter-final draw...
Reading vs. Crystal Palace
Everton vs. Chelsea
Arsenal/Hull vs. Watford
Shrewsbury/Man United vs. West Ham
PREDICTION! I have to back Man United tonight. The home side will be full of confidence and will certainly feel that they can cause an upset, but I look at the two teams and I am finding it difficult to predict another defeat for Van Gaal's side. I think that it will be a comfortable 3-1 away win tonight.
A reminder of the two teamsheets tonight...
MATCHDAY: The teamsheet for this evenings game with @ManUtd #salop pic.twitter.com/cCGteMzBGg — Shrewsbury Town FC (@shrewsweb) February 22, 2016
KICKOFF! Here we go then - the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. It is the home side that get this FA Cup fifth-round tie underway at New Meadow...
... it must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium and as expected, Man United are well-represented in the stands. Shrewsbury will just want to get through the opening 10, 15 minutes without giving anything away, but Martial wins Man United the first corner of the match.
Smalling meets the corner from Blind, but his header was always high of the crossbar.
Possession football from Man United as they pass and probe in the final third. The home side are set up to counter here and they will have no problem spending long periods without the ball. Memphis is allowed to cut inside and have a go from distance, but his effort almost clears the stands!
Mangan does well to turn away from Herrera in the middle of the park and feed Brown in a wide position, but Man United have players behind the ball and the visitors are back on the front foot.
Memphis again strikes from distance, but again his effort is poor.
The home supporters are given some encouragement when Varela slips down the right, but Man United waste no time in breaking down the other end and they force another corner when Borthwick-Jackson's cross is deflected behind. Quite an open eight minutes to this match.
Just a reminder that the winners of the tie will be at home to West Ham in the quarter-finals. It would be an absolute disaster if Man United failed to win and they have made a decent start here.
SAVE! First real chance of the match as Memphis works some space inside the Shrewsbury box before striking towards the bottom corner, but Leutwiler is down to make a smart stop!
Herrera has a go from distance, but his effort is blocked into the path of Lingard, who sets it back to Herrera and his cross is too strong for Memphis. So far, so good for the home team tonight.
You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital. Man United, as expected, are the team on the front foot at the moment. Varela manages to deliver a cross towards Martial as the visitors threaten again, but Whitbread makes a fine defensive header to clear down-field.
Herrera is next to have a go from distance, but his effort is high and wide.
Mata attempts to poke a pass into Martial as the Red Devils threaten once again, but it does not reach the Frenchman. Romero is called into action down the other end to clear a back-pass from Smalling and the Argentine shows nice feet under pressure. Still goalless with 18 minutes played here.
All Man United at the moment, but the home side are standing strong at the back.
Mata has a go from distance after another smart period of passing, but his effort is deflected wide of the post for another corner. Shrewsbury just cannot seem to get out their half at the moment.
Not sure about Memphis's shooting so far...
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So, 25 minutes on the clock and while Man United have been in control, the home team have not been overly worried at the back. Memphis came close with a decent low strike, but Leutwiler was on hand to make the save. Pass, pass, pass from the visitors as they look for that space.
Man United have a free kick in a very good area as Grandison fells Memphis...
... Memphis has a go, but his effort is blocked behind by his own teammate Martial!
That free kick from Memphis looked to be finding the top corner!
OFF-THE-LINE! Martial turns inside the home side's box and looks to find the back of the net, but Leutwiler gets a foot to it and Ogogo is on hand to clear off-the-line!
Town just cannot get out of their own half at the moment as the away side continue to boss possession in the final third of the field. Man United will be criticised for not scoring in the opening 31 minutes of this match, but they have been by far the superior team since the very first whistle.
The home side have the chance to venture forward and it is Grimmer that delivers a cross into the Man United box, but Romero is on hand to claim and the visitors are straight back on the attack.
Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining and the pattern of the match is still the same - Man United dominating the ball and Shrewsbury sitting deep and attempting to defend. In fairness, the tactic has worked so far, but 90 minutes is a long time to keep up this kind of intense running!
Shrewsbury continue to throw their bodies on the line as Martial has another shot blocked after smart work from Memphis. Man United will keep coming, however, as they dominate the ball.
Whitbread turns behind a low Borthwick-Jackson cross as Man United threaten again.
GOAL! Shrewsbury 0-1 Man United (Smalling)
Man United make the breakthrough in the 37th minute as Smalling fires home from inside the box after Schneiderlin had flicked-on a pass from Borthwick-Jackson. Smalling struck the ball into the ground and the bounce was enough to take it past Leutwiler in the home side's net!
In truth, that goal had been coming and the pattern of the match is still the same. Man United are so dominant that it seems only a matter of time before they score a second. This half maybe?!
The home supporters are not best pleased with the referee, who has given Man United a couple of controversial calls tonight, but Shrewsbury just cannot keep hold of the ball at the moment. In truth, a second goal for the visitors at this stage would more than likely secure a victory for Van Gaal's team.
Memphis again cuts inside and fires towards goal, but his effort is blocked by Whitbread.
BOOKING! Whitbread (Shrewsbury) is booked for fouling Martial just outside the box...
... GOAL! Shrewsbury 0-2 Man United (Mata)
A beautiful curling free kick from Mata sends Man United into a 2-0 lead!
HALF-TIME: Shrewsbury 0-2 Man United
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Man United leading 2-0 courtesy of goals from Smalling and Mata. In truth, it has been very, very comfortable for the visitors, who have dominated from the first whistle and deserve to be at least two goals ahead here.
STATISTICS! Zero attempts for Shrewsbury in that first period and they have only had 20% of the possession, which is an indication of their strugglers. Man United, meanwhile, have had 15 attempts and hit the target on four occasions. Just the one booking - Whitbread for fouling Martial outside the box.
BENCH WATCH! Shrewsbury have a couple of forward options on their bench this evening, with Grandin and Larnell Cole both available. The latter, as mentioned, is a former Man United youngster. As for the visitors, Will Keane, Andreas Pereira and Michael Carrick are among those available for Van Gaal.
Plenty for Shrewsbury boss Mellon to ponder ahead of the second period...
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RESTART! Here we go then - both sets of players re-join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Shrewsbury find a route back into this match? It will be tough! Man United resume the action here...
MAN UNITED SUB! Joe Riley has replaced Borthwick-Jackson for the visitors.
SHREWSBURY SUB! Larnell Cole replaces Knight-Percival for the home side.
A strike from Herrera rebounds into the path of Martial and the striker looks certain to have a shot on goal, but Whitbread just does enough at the vital moment to keep his team in the match.
Very good start to the second period from Man United, who are still dominating possession of the ball. It will be interesting to see whether Shrewsbury have a shot on target in the second period!
Man United continue to move the ball from left to right in the home side's half and Memphis in particular has been very dangerous down the left. Shrewsbury have managed to see some of the ball through Mangan, but Romero remains a spectator in the Man United goal at the moment.
Super defending from Riley as the Man United youngster does well to block a cross from Whalley and the visiting team have a goal kick. In truth, the pattern of the match is still the same here.
CLOSE! Memphis cuts inside before driving one towards the bottom corner, but his effort just deflects wide of the post. From the resulting corner, Martial has a golden chance to head home from close range, but somehow misses! Should really be 3-0 Man United now!
No real sign of any sort of Shrewsbury comeback at the moment tonight.
Martial does brilliantly to drive into the Shrewsbury box and deliver a super cross towards the far post, but Whitbread just does enough to prevent his team from conceding a third goal here.
Little under 30 minutes of football remaining tonight and Shrewsbury are starting to have more of a go, but they are finding it difficult to get the ball off Man United, who have been impressive in this match. Yes, it is only League One opposition, but the overall performance has been much better here.
GOAL! Shrewsbury 0-3 Man United (Lingard)
Man United have their third of the match and it is a wonderful team goal. It starts with Romero, who releases down-field into Herrera. The midfielder finds Mata, who returns the favour and Herrera's super cross is fired home by Lingard. That is a super goal and Man United are home and dry tonight.
BOOKING! Grimmer (Shrewsbury) is booked for a late challenge on Lingard.
Memphis fires a free kick over the crossbar and Pereira is about to enter for the visitors.
MAN UNITED SUB! Pereira replaces Mata for the away team.
Little over 20 minutes of this clash remaining and the home team are still waiting for their first attempt on target. In truth, there has not even been a half-chance for the League One outfit.
Pass, pass, pass from Man United as they search for a fourth goal in this match.
MAN UNITED SUB! Will Keane replaces Martial for the away team.
CHANCE! Memphis sets up Lingard, who has time and space inside the home side's box, but his low effort is wide of the post. That should have been a fourth for Man United!
POST! Another super move from Man United sees Keane attempt to pick out the corner of the net, but his effort strikes the post.
Will Keane seems to have pulled his groin and might have to come off here!
Indeed, Will Keane has gone down and Man United will have to finish with 10 men tonight.
Brown delivers a dangerous free kick into the Man United box, but Romero does well under pressure and the home side still wait for their first attempt on target. Whitbread was the player that went up!
Possession football from the visitors as they play on with 10 men. It is very much job done for Man United, but they will be keen for a fourth goal to really put the gloss on tonight's performance.
SHREWSBURY SUB! Jordan Clark replaces Akpro.
Pereira does well to drive away from Grimmer and the youngster looks to set up Memphis, but the cross is just too strong and Shrewsbury survive. Little over five minutes remaining tonight.
Joe Riley breaks forward for Man United before having a go from distance, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Cannot blame the young full-back for having a go there!
CHANCE! Super chance for the home side as Grimmer delivers a wonderful cross onto the head of Agogo, who was unmarked, but somehow the attacker heads wide of the post!
Pass, pass, pass from Man United as they keep the ball here.
We are into the first of three additional minutes here.
SAVE! Memphis is denied by Leutwiler after going through on goal.
Cole strikes one from distance outside the Man United box, but his effort is over the crossbar!
FULL-TIME: Shrewsbury 0-3 Man United
So there we have it. Man United book their spot in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with a comfortable 3-0 win at Shrewsbury. The Red Devils will face West Ham United in the last eight next month. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action once again. Until next time!
