FA Cup

[monks data]

FA Cup | Fifth Round

Feb 22, 2016 at 7.45pm UK

Shrewsbury Shrewsbury Town
0-3
Man Utd Manchester United

FT(HT: 0-2)

Smalling (37'), Mata (45'), Lingard (61')

Chris Smalling: FA Cup "massive" for Manchester United

By Liam Apicella, Features Editor

Published: February 21 2016 | 12:11

Last updated: February 22 2016 | 19:10

With very little else to play for, Chris Smalling concedes that the FA Cup is a "massive" competition for Manchester United.

Manchester United centre-back Chris Smalling has insisted that the FA Cup is "massive" for the club this season.

The Red Devils are fifth in the Premier League and 12 points adrift of leaders Leicester City, as well as having also exited the Champions League in the group stages.

As a result, ahead of United's trip to League One strugglers Shrewsbury Town in the fifth round on Monday night, Smalling has admitted that the world's oldest cup competition has taken on extra significance.

"This competition is massive for us, particularly because we're not fighting at the top of the league like we expected to be," the defender told MUTV.

"The FA Cup is an opportunity to win some silverware and a competition we've done well in so far this season. We'll go to Shrewsbury as favourites and we need to control that tie."

United have not lifted the FA Cup since a 3-0 win over Millwall in 2004.