STAND-IN skipper Chris Smalling led by example as Manchester United got some FA Cup cheer.
The big defender put his side ahead with a 37th-minute goal and then watched Juan Mata take over.
The Spaniard added a second direct from a free-kick before Jesse Lingard grabbed a third in the 61st minute.
United boss Louis van Gaal could afford a big smile at long last as his side kept disaster at arm’s length.
Defeat to the League One strugglers was the last thing Van Gaal needed dumping on him.
STAND-IN skipper Chris Smalling led by example as Manchester United got some FA Cup cheer.
The big defender put his side ahead with a 37th-minute goal and then watched Juan Mata take over.
The Spaniard added a second direct from a free-kick before Jesse Lingard grabbed a third in the 61st minute.
United boss Louis van Gaal could afford a big smile at long last as his side kept disaster at arm’s length.
Defeat to the League One strugglers was the last thing Van Gaal needed dumping on him.
Right on the stroke of half-time United increased their lead when Mata left Leutwiler rooted to his line direct from a free-kick.
Shrewsbury found themselves horribly exposed and Abu Ogogo ended up getting booked for hacking down Anthony Martial on the edge of the box.
Mata and Memphis stood over the ball but it was the former Chelsea man who took control.
And what a cracker he produced – his kick by-passing the wall and leaving the keeper helpless as it flew past him.
It was no more than United deserved after stamping their authority on the game from the start.
The humiliating Europa League defeat at Danish minnows Midtjylland on Thursday was still stinging.
And anything but victory here would have cranked up the pressure on LVG.
In fairness, United did their best to put his mind at ease from the off and could have been a couple of goals in front in the opening few minutes.
They outplayed the home side from the start but ended up having to wait until the 37th minute to get their noses in front.
Even that was a scuffed shot from Smalling – but Van Gaal will take anything right now.
Cracker Smalling fired United into the lead after Shrewsbury gave up on the ball way too easily out on their left-hand side.
Morgan Schneiderlin looped a header back into the box to where Smalling was waiting.
He took it first time, thumping his shot into the ground – but that was enough to fox keeper Jayson Leutwiler.
The ball took a wicked bounce and when the keeper looked around, it was in his net.
