Louis van Gaal says 'everything is possible' for Manchester United after Shrewsbury win

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal insists their win over Shrewsbury must set them up for Europa League recovery.

United eased into the FA Cup quarter-finals with a 3-0 win at Greenhous Meadow on Monday to book a home tie with West Ham.

Chris Smalling, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard scored to avoid an upset and keep United on track during a crucial week.

United host FC Midtjylland in the Europa League on Thursday, aiming to turn around a 2-1 first-leg loss, and Arsenal in the Barclays Premier League on Sunday.

But despite victory in Shropshire Van Gaal was expecting little praise for keeping United's FA Cup dream alive and has turned his focus to the Europa League.

"Everybody shall say it is against Shrewsbury Town and Manchester United has to win but we have seen very difficult results in the FA Cup, not always the top team is winning," he said.

"So I think we have done it fantastically. I have congratulated my players, I was very pleased but now we have to beat Midtjylland because it is also possible to beat them. But it is not easy because Midtjylland are very well organised, we have seen that in the away game.

"But still everything is possible. We're still in three competitions, so we have to fight for a lot of chances I think."

Van Gaal is now without 13 players after Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and Will Keane limped off in Shropshire.

Wayne Rooney is sidelined for six weeks with a knee injury while Bastian Schweinsteiger, Ashley Young, Phil Jones, Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo remain out.

But David De Gea could return against Midtjylland or Arsenal and ease United's injury woes.

"It was not so heavy the injury, so it is possible (for) Thursday but it is also possible against Arsenal," said Van Gaal.

"It (the Midtjylland match) is a big game because it's a chance to qualify for the Champions League next season. But we have to win a lot of matches of course. It's easily spoken but done is different.

"But it is possible and then we'll see. I think in March a lot of players are coming back and then we'll have a full selection, and with our full selection we were first in the Premier League."

The Dutchman shared a smile with fans as he signed autographs pitchside after the game.

When one supporter wished him luck, Van Gaal replied: "Yeah. We need it. Otherwise I shall be sacked."

Shrewsbury came close at the end but Abu Ogogo wasted two fine openings while they struggled to match United.

They face a relegation battle in Sky Bet League One and go to drop rivals Colchester on Saturday but boss Micky Mellon was proud of his side.

"At half-time we were a wee bit disappointed but it's hard to be critical because you're playing against some unbelievable quality," he said.

"I'm not going to take anything away from my players, you have to put your hand up and say they were outrageous at times. That's what that kind of money buys you.

"We'll be disappointed when we have seen the opportunities back that we haven't scored.

"I'm determined I'm not going to be critical of the players because we came up against some fantastic quality. The players can walk away with their heads held high because they gave us everything they had."

PA