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Manchester United vs Cambridge preview: Luke Shaw admits United aren't taking Cambridge lightly but are determined to land silverware

United face Cambridge in an FA Cup fourth round replay but know they will be the highest ranked team left if they come through the tie

Paul Hirst
Tuesday 03 February 2015 09:07 GMT
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Manchester United defender Luke Shaw
Manchester United defender Luke Shaw (Getty Images)

Luke Shaw says Manchester United have made the FA Cup their priority because they are desperate to end the year with silverware.

After the shock elimination of Chelsea and Manchester City just over a week ago, United are the highest-ranked team left in the FA Cup.

So far the draw has been kind to Louis van Gaal's men. After beating Yeovil in the third round, they were pitted against Sky Bet League Two side Cambridge.

Although they were unable to win at the Abbey Stadium, United are big favourites to beat Cambridge in Tuesday's replay and set up a last-16 clash against Preston or Sheffield United.

Given that United are 10 points off first place in the Barclays Premier League, Shaw believes the FA Cup is the best chance he has of winning something in his first year at the club.

"The whole team look at it as a trophy we all want to win," the United left-back said.

"And especially now it's what you could say is the main priority because the league, I wouldn't say it's gone, but we're quite far away, so we're definitely looking to win the FA Cup."

With Chelsea and City both out of the FA Cup, the path to Wembley has been made a lot easier for United, who have not lifted the trophy for 11 years.

Luke Shaw is determined to win the FA Cup (Getty Images)

Wayne Rooney has been speaking to Shaw - and the other new signings at United - about his desire to end that long trophy drought.

And Shaw believes the draw has opened up nicely for him and his team-mates.

"Wazza hasn't won it and he's definitely going to want to win it this year," the England defender said.

"We've been quite lucky with the draw so far. We've picked up teams in the lower leagues so maybe it could be our year, especially now when you look at the teams that have been knocked out.

"There are not so many of the so-called big teams left so I think we have to take that as a positive.

"Hopefully we'll get past this one but you've seen from the past years that the big teams can get knocked out so we know it's not going to be easy and we need to be 100 per cent focused."

That focus has been sharpened by Bradford's win over Chelsea just over a week ago and Middlesbrough's victory at City.

"That's our warning for Tuesday," United boss Van Gaal said after his team's 3-1 win over Leicester on Saturday.

"Manchester United have not won it for 11 years so not always the best team win it. It's also the underdog."

Van Gaal responded to criticism of United’s system after the Cambridge draw (Getty Images)

Van Gaal almost has a clean bill of health for the replay.

Michael Carrick is unavailable, but Ashley Young could make his comeback from the hamstring injury he suffered on New Year's Day.

There is also a chance Van Gaal will rest David de Gea and hand Victor Valdes his debut in goal.

PA

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