Louis van Gaal hailed a "committed" Manchester United performance as they swept aside Shrewsbury Town to set up an FA Cup quarter-final at home against West Ham United and, in the process, enjoyed a timely confidence boost before Thursday's crucial Europa League second-leg last-32 match against Midtjylland.
Chris Smalling scored United's first and Juan Mata got the second with a contentious free-kick routine that Van Gaal claimed they had learned from watching Midtjylland. Jesse Lingard, Ander Herrera and Anthony Martial all stood offside initially, behind the Shrewsbury wall, before running out as Mata approached the ball.
Lingard got United’s other goal on an evening that could hardly have been more comfortable for Van Gaal’s team, as they dominated against a Shrewsbury side who are 21st in League One and never looked like imposing themselves.
“I think the performance was very good,” said Van Gaal. “I said that already at half-time to my players. They were very committed, they performed our game plan very well and the consequences were we were ahead 2-0 at half-time – a lucky goal from Smalling I think but a very good free-kick from Mata.”
Asked specifically about Mata’s goal and the strange position that the three United players took up, Van Gaal said: “We have learned because we analysed Midtjylland and saw that they are doing that. We think it’s always offside, but we asked the referees at that time and they are saying not offside, you can do that. So we learned the taking of the free-kick from Midtjylland and today we scored. That’s good.”
It was just the response that Van Gaal needed after his side’s abject performance in Denmark on Thursday, when United were beaten 2-1 by Midtjylland. United’s win over Shrewsbury needs to be kept in perspective, however, given that Micky Mellon’s side have not won at home in the league for four months and are embroiled in a relegation battle.
“Everybody shall say it is easy against Shrewsbury Town and Manchester United has to win but we have seen very difficult results in the FA Cup, not always the top team is winning, so I think we have done it fantastically,” Van Gaal said. “I have congratulated my players, I was very pleased but now we have to beat Midtjylland because it’s also possible to beat them. But it is not easy because Midtjylland are very well organised, we have seen that in the away game. But still everything is possible, we’re still in three competitions, so we have to fight for a lot of chances I think.”
Sergio Romero continued in goal against Shrewsbury but Van Gaal suggested that David de Gea could be back for the Midtjylland match after scans showed the Spaniard had not suffered a serious problem with his knee. “It was not so heavy the injury, so it is possible Thursday but it is also possible against Arsenal,” the United manager said.
Van Gaal made no attempt to play down the significance of the Midtjylland tie, fully aware that it represents United’s best opportunity to play in Europe’s premier club competition next season.
“In my opinion it’s a big game because it’s a chance to qualify for the Champions League next season, but we have to win a lot of matches. Of course it’s easily spoken but done is different. But it is possible and then we’ll see. I think in March a lot of players are coming back and then we’ll have a full selection, and with our full selection we were first in the Premier League.”
