Louis Van Gaal says Emirates FA Cup fifth round tie is 'must-win'

Manchester United boss Louis Van Gaal says Monday’s Emirates FA Cup tie at Shrewsbury Town is a must-win game.

The Reds head to Greenhous Meadow on the back of successive defeats, which has seen an increased spotlight on United and their Dutch manager.

But Van Gaal believes a victory for his side in Shropshire can help stop the rot as well as see United into the quarter final and become potential challengers for The Cup, with a home tie against West Ham United awaiting the winner.

"You cannot continue with losing games," admits Van Gaal, whose side were on the wrong end of results against Sunderland and Danish side Midtjylland in their last two outings.

"You have to see every match as a match you have to win. On Monday, we have to win. 

"If we win, we are in the next round and we are capable of winning The FA Cup."

However, United will not underestimate the challenge offered up by League One outfit Shrewsbury Town either.

Micky Mellon’s side have already knocked two Championship clubs out of The Cup with their impressive wins over Sheffield Wednesday and Cardiff City in the previous two rounds.

So Van Gaal insists his team must be ready to deal with whatever is thrown at them in front of the BT Sport cameras.

"The question is how we lift ourselves for this game, because Shrewsbury will fight for the second balls and play direct and those kind of things, and you have to cope," he added.

"When you see the last two games it is maybe like that — but then we have to make them fear again.

"On Monday we have to win and when we win we are in the next round. 

"We are capable to win The FA Cup because we have also won against Swansea City at home or Watford away. We have played Chelsea away.

"It is always possible."