The Irish Mail on Sunday

Vital for Van Gaal to tame Shrews

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WOULDN’T you love to be a Shrewsbury Town player tomorrow night? After their embarrassi­ng defeat to Midtjyllan­d the other night, Manchester United head to the New Meadow.

With the mounting injuries, speculatio­n over his future and general unhappines­s around Old Trafford, this is now a game Louis van Gaal has to win.

It won’t be easy. The Shrews have an opportunit­y to make history for their club and themselves. They will fancy a shock. And Van Gaal doesn’t have many options in his team selections, unlike other more fortunate managers still in the FA Cup this weekend.

Chelsea and Manchester City go head-to-head today and the team selections will be interestin­g there.

With their Champions League first leg out of the way, Guus Hiddink can afford to choose a strong side whereas City might have and eye on this week’s tie at Dinamo Kiev.

Given a choice of the two, Manuel Pellegrini has already decided to prioritise progressio­n in Europe rather than the FA Cup and has said he will field a weakened side. And what Mauricio Pochettino will do with his side to face Crystal Palace today, with the Premier League going so well?

I just think something has to give in their pursuit of silverware this season. They have never been in a better position to win the Premier League so the Spurs boss might decide to protect his stars.

Does he go for everything or will he end up with nothing?

 ??  ?? UNDeR PRessURe: United’s Louis van Gaal
UNDeR PRessURe: United’s Louis van Gaal

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