"When we look back at Cambridge and Yeovil, we were expected to win those games but they’re never easy – especially away from home. Preston will be up for it with the crowd behind them and I think they’ll start on the front foot. The game is never easy but we’re all looking forward to it."
16/02/2015 11:09, Report by Mark Froggatt
Chris Smalling and Luke Shaw are adamant Manchester United won't underestimate Preston North End in tonight’s FA Cup fifth-round tie at Deepdale, having already been pushed by two impressive Football League opponents in this season’s unpredictable competition.
Louis van Gaal’s men recorded a hard-fought 2-0 win over Yeovil Town in the third round, before drawing 0-0 against Cambridge United at the Abbey Stadium. Although the Reds eventually secured a comfortable 3-0 victory in the Old Trafford replay, Smalling expects another difficult game tonight.
"It’s the story of the underdog," Chris told MUTV. "I’ve played as an underdog before and you play without fear and with nothing to lose. All you can do is go out and do you best. We as United players have to make sure we do our jobs and give 100 per cent as Preston will be 100 per cent committed. We need to match that and hopefully let our quality shine through.
"I think the fact that we’ve already played against lower-league opposition will stand us in good stead for when we go to Deepdale. At the end of the day it’s a cup game where the winner gets to go into the next round and takes a step closer to the final.
"There definitely is a desire to win the FA Cup this season, especially given the time it’s been since we won it. Given the draws we’ve had, we’re expected to go through and we’re vying that we’ll be in the draw. It’s another step towards the final; there are only a couple of rounds after this."
Shaw is expected to reclaim his starting place after serving a one-match suspension and is also keen to draw on experience at Deepdale.
"When we look back at Cambridge and Yeovil, we were expected to win those games but they’re never easy – especially away from home," he said. "Preston will be up for it with the crowd behind them and I think they’ll start on the front foot. The game is never easy but we’re all looking forward to it.
