Joe Hart wishes Shrewsbury Town good luck for FA Cup clash against United

Hart, who plays for United's arch rivals Manchester City, is Shrewsbury born and bred and keeps a close eye on the fortunes of Town, where he started his career and played 58 games.

The 28-year-old, who will be watching the fifth-round tie on television, wants to see his former club cause a shock and beat United.

He told the Shropshire Star: "I've been speaking to Dave Edwards and I wish them all the best of luck."

Wolves midfielder Edwards and Hart are former Shrewsbury team-mates and have kept in touch since their time together at the old Gay Meadow.

They met at City's last Premier League game, against Tottenham a week last Sunday, when Hart invited Edwards and his son Jack into his box at the Etihad Stadium and the game cropped up in conversation.

Edwards said: "I was speaking to Joe and his dad (Charlie) about it. He's looking forward to it especially with it being United and he said he'll be watching it on the telly.

"He's a Shrewsbury lad, born and bred so he's rooting for us and he's excited like me."

Edwards will be at the game cheering Town on with Jack and he backed Micky Mellon's side to cause an upset. He's currently out of action at Wolves with a foot injury.

"I'm really excited. Myself and my little boy Jack are going to the game and he's really excited too," said Edwards, who is currently out with a foot injury.

"I'm really looking forward to it and I genuinely think there could be an upset. It will be a great game and Shrewsbury have always done well against the bigger teams.

"The pressure has been mounting on Louis van Gaal for the last few months and for them to lose at Sunderland increased that.

"To be playing Manchester United competitively for the first time and for it to be in the FA Cup fifth round is a great achievement for the club. It's a special day for the town too."

Edwards reckons Shrewsbury will edge the tie by the odd goal – and even backed a fellow Salopian to score the winner.

He said: "I think it will be 2-1 to Shrewsbury – the same as the Everton game in 2003 – and it would be nice for a local lad to get the winner.

"I fancy Dom Smith to pop up in the last minute with the winner! That would be great."

Meanwhile, Town slipped back into the League One relegation zone on goal difference on Saturday after Fleetwood beat Scunthorpe 2-1.

The Cod Army still have a game in hand on Shrewsbury. Relegation rivals Barnsley and Oldham also won.