The FA Cup is Manchester United’s top priority this season, according to defender Luke Shaw, ahead of tonight’s fourth-round replay against League Two side Cambridge United.
The full-back has conceded that the Red Devils are unlikely to challenge for the Premier League title due to trailing 10 points behind leaders Chelsea and should focus their efforts on the knockout competition.
Louis van Gaal’s side were forced to a replay at Old Trafford after only managing to secure a 0-0 draw with Cambridge in their first meeting.
“The whole team look at it as a trophy we all want to win and especially now it’s, you could say, 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,” Shaw said.
A number of favourites have already dropped out of the competition – including Chelsea, Manchester City, Southamtpon and Tottenham – which the England international sees as a great opportunity to capitalise on considering United haven’t won the FA Cup in 11 years.
“Definitely, especially now when you look at the teams that have been knocked out,” he said.
“There are not so many of the so-called big teams left so I think we have to take that as a positive.”
“We’ve been quite lucky with the draw so far. Obviously we’ve picked up teams in the lower leagues so maybe it could be our year.”
Shaw also admitted injuries and tactical changes have taken their toll on the side, who have been accused of not fulfilling their potential recently by pundits.
United had only scored five goals in six games, prior to beating Leicester 3-1 on Saturday.
He said: “You look back at the games and maybe it’s tough at times playing different formations, we have to adapt to it, maybe we could play a more attacking style but we know what we need to do to win the games.”
Image courtesy of MUTV, with thanks.
