Chris Smalling: FA Cup "massive" 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.