Shrewsbury vs Manchester United preview: Pressure on Anthony Martial to score in Wayne Rooney absence

A look ahead to the FA Cup fixture at New Meadow

Anthony Martial (GETTY IMAGES)

It’s a big game for…

Larnell Cole: The former Manchester United trainee won the FA Youth Cup with the club before departing for in 2014 having never made a senior appearance. Currently on-loan from Fulham, he hasn’t played since picking up an injury in the fourth round win against Sheffield Wednesday, but his timely return to training this week is a boost for the home side. He’ll be intent on proving his former club wrong for letting him go.

Best stat…

This will the 50th consecutive televised tie of Manchester United in the FA Cup.

Remember when…

Admittedly it was just a pre-season friendly on the only occasion the two sides have ever met, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s bicycle kick for the third goal is worthy of any goals compilation video.

Player to watch…

Anthony Martial: Goals have been hard to come by for the Red Devils this season and with Wayne Rooney ruled out for up to six weeks with a knee injury, Louis Van Gaal will be relying on the youngster to keep his job alive. Defeat here and his term as manager may well come to a premature end, so Martial will be called upon to break the deadlock, as he arguably should. His ability to find a way past their defence is obvious, but what will be questioned is how he is able to adapt to playing on a potentially troublesome pitch.

Past three-meetings…

Shrewsbury 1 (Freestone) Manchester United 8 (Butt, Solskjaer 2, Sheringham, Clegg, Fortune 2, Healy ), July 2000 (Pre-season friendly)

Form Guide…

Shrewsbury: WLWLDW

Manchester United: WLWWDL

Vital Information…

KICK-OFF TIME: 7.45pm Monday 22

TV: BT Sport 2