Hinchcliffe: Manchester United Loss To FC Midtjylland No Shock

Sky Sports pundit Andy Hinchcliffe reckons Manchester United's 2-1 loss to FC Midtjylland in the Europa League would not have come as a shock to many people.

The former Manchester City and Everton defender believes most teams fancy their chances against the current United side, although he does expect Louis van Gaal's team to progress to the last 16 of the competition over two legs.

Hichcliffe told Sky Sports Now: "Is anyone really surprised by this, the way things are going for United?

"I think everyone is looking at the current United and comparing them to the great teams of 10-20 years ago. Clearly they are not in the same calibre whatsoever.

"Injuries and everything else [are] compounding the problems that Louis van Gaal is having but they are simply not a good side.

"They aren't playing well, so wherever they go, wherever they play I do feel they are up against it. I'm not surprised they lost at all. OK they got an away goal, but they should go through.

"They are Manchester United, even with the players they have not playing particularly well, they should still be good enough to beat a team like Midtjylland - no disrespect to Midtjylland, I saw them playing City a few years ago, they are no pushovers.

"But a United side still with the quality they have in their team should be good enough to get past them, and they are struggling. I think they are struggling really in every game they play.

"I've watched them play a number of times and it's not been an easy season for Van Gaal and the team. It's a difficult time for United."

Van Gaal's team return to action on Monday when they travel to Shrewsbury in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

United have not won the competition since 2004 and Alex McLeish, also speaking on Sky Sports Now, insists a defeat at New Meadow would have severe consequences at Old Trafford.

"Well it is unthinkable that United should lose to Shrewsbury, but at the moment the confidence will be a little bit low," McLeish said.

"The team probably will change for the Shrewsbury game, I'm sure. I don't know if he's got a lot to bring back but certainly 13 injuries has been a nightmare for him.

"But Shrewsbury they should take care of. If they don't then I think people will be thinking [there will be] serious ramifications here."

Van Gaal has several players unavailable because of injuries at the moment, and McLeish reckons it is common for players to be out of action when confidence is low at a club.

"It's something that I think is a little bit of a mystery in football - when you go through a bad spell you seem to pick up even more injuries," McLeish said.

"It's almost like the mentality of the players is at a low point and it has manifested in some of the injuries. I'm not saying players deliberately go on the treatment table, but they pick up injuries easier because the positivity is not there within the club.

"I think Man United is a perfect example of that. It's a bit of a phenomenon in football."

Credit: Skysports.com