Van Gaal concedes Manchester United fear factor is gone

Cape Town – Louis van Gaal believes that Manchester United are no longer feared by opposition after two-and-a-half years of relative struggle.

And what could be more enticing than a Monday night FA Cup game away between the Premier League bores and League One strugglers Shrewsbury, accompanied by this guy?

Speaking to BT Sport ahead of Manchester United’s FA Cup fifth round tie against Shrewsbury, the Dutchman confirmed the prognosis was not as bad as first feared.

“But okay, they can play like that and we know that they want to play like that, but then you have to cope with it”.

“It is a question of winning matches in a row”.

Winning all three fixtures – with the Europa League result sending them through – would be a major boost, some momentum having been built up again and
the club remaining in the hunt for two trophies as well as a top-four finish.

Van Gaal’s job has been under scrutiny following his side’s repeated poor performances in the Premier League, with former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho reportedly in talks to replace him at the Old Trafford.

The Manchester United winger has been a disappointment at Old Trafford since his transfer from PSV Eindhoven last summer for £23million.

That said, backing a home win or Shrewsbury to progress is no saver at 15/2 or 11/2.

“It’s not a question of being the favourite”.

Their manager, Micky Mellon, says his team will try to execute a similar plan this evening in order to pile some more misery on Van Gaal.

“I just think it’s great for Shrewsbury, financially and as an opportunity for a cup upset – that’s probably why it was picked for BT Sport’s live coverage”.

“I have told the players already it will be hard to bounce back because you can not continue losing”, he said.

That’s unfortunately why I could never see Romero as a long-term replacement for De Gea if we were to need one.