Sports Blog 22/02/2016: FA Cup 5th Round Preview – Shrewsbury vs Manchester United, Monday 22nd February 2016

Fresh off a season-nadir in Denmark Manchester United (and, more specifically, Louis van Gaal) will be praying for an emphatic win when they face Shrewsbury in the FA Cup 5th round at 7.45pm on BT Sport 2.

Not to do a disservice to Midtjylland but it is fairly safe to say no-one was expecting such an insipid and lifeless performance from United in the Europa League last week, especially given winning the competition is (or, perhaps, was) arguably one of the few feasible achievements van Gaal’s side could manage this season. Memphis Depay’s 37th minute opener at least saw United nab a potentially important away goal, that lead snuffed out by Pione Sisto 10 minutes later before a 77th minute strike from Paul Onuachu gave the Danish champions the win. To make matters worse David de Gea was injured before the game, meaning he joins Wayne Rooney on the absentee list ahead of Monday night’s game.



Whilst somewhat unimaginable a loss in Shrewsbury would almost guarantee the departure of Louis van Gaal; in fact, even a win might not be enough, the talk surrounding the potential appointment of Jose Mourinho only growing in volume since that debilitating loss in Denmark. Without Rooney Anthony Martial, at a Super Mega PGM spread of 40-47, remains United’s best bet going forwards whilst Depay, fresh off of his first goal since the end of November, is at a Super Mega PGM of 30-36.

Looking to match Midtjylland’s momentous win is a Shewsbury side that are lingering 4 points above the League One relegation zone, with 16 losses in 31 league games. The FA Cup has, however, provided a certain amount of respite for New Meadow’s finest; besting Gainsborough Trinity and Grimsby Town in the 1st and 2nd rounds respectively (the latter taking a replay) Shrewsbury went on to knock out Cardiff in the 3rd round before thrice coming from behind to beat Sheffield Wednesday in the final minute of their 4th round fixture.

Interestingly James Collins and Tyrone Barnett, Shrewsbury’s top scorers this season, are out on loan at Northampton and Southend respectively, leaving January re-signee Andrew Mangan (at a Super Mega PGM of 11-15) and Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro (at a Super Mega PGM of 6-9) to lead the charge going forwards.

That Europa League loss last week was more than sufficient to see van Gaal’s head rest firmly on the chopping block; an FA Cup exit this Monday would be ample enough reason to see the guillotine come crashing down. Luckily for Louis Spreadex thinks he might be able to buy himself a bit of time (maybe an extra day or two), offering a Manchester United/Shrewsbury (h) Goal Supremacy spread of 1.6-1.8 alongside a Total Goals spread of 2.75-2.95.

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