• Manchester United avoided a cup upset with a routine win at Shrewsbury
  • United trio Chris Smalling, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard scored the goals
  • Spanish international Juan Mata starred for the away side on the night
  • Mata helped relieve some pressure on Louis van Gaal for now at least
  • See the latest FA Cup news updates and results 

Daniel Prescott For Mailonline

Manchester United booked themselves an FA Cup quarter final clash against West Ham with a thoroughly professional display against League One minnows Shrewsbury.

Chris Smalling eased the nerves with a first-half strike before Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard secured the victory either side of the half time whistle. 

Here, Sportsmail’s Daniel Prescott runs the rule of the jubilant United players.

Manchester United secured themselves an FA Cup quarter final clash against West Ham with a victory

Manchester United secured themselves an FA Cup quarter final clash against West Ham with a victory

MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1)

Sergio Romero 6

Had little chance to impress Louis van Gaal in the absence of usual No 1 David De Gea with Shrewsbury chances minimal, but did come for one cross and missed it completely.

Had little to do in between the sticks in the absence of usual Manchester United No 1 David De Gea

Had little to do in between the sticks in the absence of usual Manchester United No 1 David De Gea

Guillermo Varela 6

Showed experience beyond his years and had little trouble dealing with whatever faced him, which was very little as United eased to victory. 

Chris Smalling 6.5

Had very little to do at the back and calmed the away side’s nerves when he gave United the lead in the first half. 

Chris Smalling (left0 celebrates with his team-mates after netting the opening goal of the FA Cup clash

Chris Smalling (left0 celebrates with his team-mates after netting the opening goal of the FA Cup clash

Daley Blind 6.5

Got forward for set pieces but otherwise was happy to stay back and mop any mess – not that there was much seeping through anyway. 

Cameron Borthwick-Jackson 6.5

Quiet in the midfield when having the opportunity to impress and was replaced at half time by fellow youngster Joe Riley.

Cameron Borthwick-Jackson rises for a header under pressure from Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro

Cameron Borthwick-Jackson rises for a header under pressure from Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro

Morgan Schneiderlin 6

Had a pass completion rate of 96 per cent in the first half and totally dominated the midfield with the Frenchman clearly in no mood for a cup upset.

Ander Herrera 6

Comfortable display from the Spanish midfielder who grabbed himself an assist when playing a delightful ball over to the back post for Lingard to slot home.

Memphis Depay looked lively for Manchester United as they eased past Shrewsbury Town on Monday night

Memphis Depay looked lively for Manchester United as they eased past Shrewsbury Town on Monday night

Memphis Depay 6.5

The big-money summer signing looked lively in the first half, linking up well with Martial in impressive fashion against an albeit lesser opposition. 

Juan Mata 7.5

The Spanish international probably isn’t thrilled about the thought of Jose Mourinho taking the Old Trafford hot seat and he did his best to keep Louis van Gaal in a job with a first-half free kick. 

Spanish international Juan Mata curls the ball in as Manchester United put in a professional performance

Spanish international Juan Mata curls the ball in as Manchester United put in a professional performance

Jesse Lingard 7

Didn’t look as lively as Depay and Martial in the opening 45 minutes but showed he was still switched on when he slid in to grab Manchester United’s third goal of the game. 

Anthony Martial 6

Linked up well with Depay as United toiled with their opposition but should have done better just after half time when he missed a header after a neat corner routine involving Blind and Mata. 

Anthony Martial linked up well but should have grabbed himself a goal when missing a second-half header

Anthony Martial linked up well but should have grabbed himself a goal when missing a second-half header

Subs

Joe Riley 6 (Cameron Borthwick-Jackson 46) 

Andreas Pereira 6 (Juan Mata 65) 

Will Keane 5 (Anthony Martial 71)

Referee: Robert Madley 6.5

Star man: Juan Mata

SHREWSBURY (5-3-2): Leutwiler 6; Grimmer 6.5, Grandison 7, Whitbread 6.5, Knight-Percival 6, (Cole 46, 6), Ogogo 5.5, Whalley 6, Black 7; Brown 6, Akpa Akpro 6 (Clark 81), Mangan 6.5.


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