There are a total of nine changes for the home side, with only Marcos Rojo and Michael Carrick remaining from the team that beat West Ham on Monday, with Wayne Rooney returning and captaining Jose’s men.
7 Jan 2017
12:14PM
And now Reading.
A hand injury rules skipper Paul McShane out of today’s game, while Stephen Quinn remains sidelined with a knee injury.
But promising Ireland underage international Liam Kelly does start, and we will be keeping an eye on how he performs this lunchtime.
Reading: Al-Habsi, Gunter (c), Blackett, L.Moore, Van den Berg, Evans, Williams, Kelly, Beerens, McCleary, Kermorgant.
Former United defender Jaap Stam returns to Old Trafford today.
He left the club for Lazio in controversial circumstances over 15 years ago, following the publication of his autobiography.
But Ferguson later admitted that selling Stam at the peak of his powers was one of the biggest mistakes in his managerial career.
PA Wire / PA Images
PA Wire / PA Images / PA Images
7 Jan 2017
12:24PM
The home side are looking for their eight consecutive win in all competitions but Reading should be no pushovers, with Stam guiding Reading to third in the Championship.
Remember one goal today, and Rooney will equal Bobby Charlton’s all-time club record of 249.
CHANCES! And just seconds after the kick-off Rashford sprays a shot just wide of the Reading post, before Al Habsi gets a strong hand to a Rooney effort that was heading goalwards.
There we have it for Rooney – 249 Man United goals puts him level with Bobby Charlton on the club’s all-time goalscoring list.
It was nice play by Martial on the left flank, he finds Mata in the box and the Spaniard’s cross is directed into the back of the net by the England captain.
SUB: Injury forces United into an early change with Jones replacing Rojo.
7 Jan 2017
12:54PM
CLEAR! First significant Reading attack!
McCleary dribbles down the left wing and his cross is headed back across the goal by Beerens, but Carrick is in the right place at the right time to prevent Kelly getting an easy tap-in.
7 Jan 2017
12:57PM
CHANCE! It was very nearly game on at Old Trafford.
A well-worked corner from Reading sees Kelly finding Van den Berg on the edge of the box, but Moore just can’t get his boot to the ball to direct it on target.
7 Jan 2017
12:59PM
WIDE! Rashford’s goal-drought continues.
The youngster is put through on goal, he rounds the goalkeeper but finds the side of the net – not the back of it!
7 Jan 2017
1:01PM
IRELAND WATCH! Superb pass from Evans finds Kelly making a darting run down the right channel, he drives into the box but fails to pick out Kermorgant, with Romero gratefully claiming the ball.
IRISH EYE! Kelly has been in the game sporadically, playing on the right of a front three. But he has always been willing to look for the ball, and likes to play on the half-turn – always aware of his surroundings.
7 Jan 2017
1:13PM
BLOCK! Brave defending by Evans who throws his body in front of Mata’s shot in the box. Next goal so important to how the rest of this game plays out.
7 Jan 2017
1:14PM
OVER! Moments later Mata uncharacteristically curls a wayward shot over the bar while in space on the edge of the box.
7 Jan 2017
1:17PM
CHANCE! Martial fires wide when he should have directed a Rashford cross into the back of the net. Chances galore at the moment.
WIDE: Bright start again by United with Jones intercepting in midfield, he finds Rashford who floats in a teasing cross for Rooney, who can’t direct his shot on target.
7 Jan 2017
1:38PM
A nasty head injury for Carrick sees him leave the pitch to receive treatment.
7 Jan 2017
1:39PM
A patched-up Carrick returns to the pitch.
7 Jan 2017
1:42PM
SAVE! Al Habsi again gets down well, this time to save an arrowed Carrick drive.
7 Jan 2017
1:43PM
YELLOW CARD! Booking for Young for a high challenge on Obita, but could have easily seen red.
Terrific play by Rashford again and he picks out Fellaini in the box, the midfielder’s cross is fumbled by Al Habsi but Rooney can only hit the rebound off the goalkeeper.
First goal in 18 matches for the young England striker after Carrick found Rashford with an inch-perfect through ball with the forward confidently finishing.
7 Jan 2017
2:07PM
SUB: Schweinsteiger (remember him?) and Fosu-Mensah take the places of Carrick and Mata.
7 Jan 2017
2:07PM
SUB: Samuel is the final change for Reading, with Kermorgant off.
7 Jan 2017
2:08PM
GOAL! Man United 4-0 Reading (Rashford 79′)
7 Jan 2017
2:11PM
Comical stuff from Al Habsi, who has performed well today, but does have errors in his locker.
The goalkeeper readies himself to kick a backpass from Moore but inadvertently makes contact with the ball with his standing foot - Rashford pounced to make it four!
Eights on the bounce for United – their best run in eight years. Wembley may still be on the horizon for Reading, if they were to reach the Championship play-off final, but it’s onwards and upwards for Jose Mourinho’s side.
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As it happened: Man United v Reading, FA Cup
Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of the FA Cup third-round tie between Manchester United and Championship side Reading.
We have team news for you!
There are a total of nine changes for the home side, with only Marcos Rojo and Michael Carrick remaining from the team that beat West Ham on Monday, with Wayne Rooney returning and captaining Jose’s men.
And now Reading.
A hand injury rules skipper Paul McShane out of today’s game, while Stephen Quinn remains sidelined with a knee injury.
But promising Ireland underage international Liam Kelly does start, and we will be keeping an eye on how he performs this lunchtime.
Reading: Al-Habsi, Gunter (c), Blackett, L.Moore, Van den Berg, Evans, Williams, Kelly, Beerens, McCleary, Kermorgant.
Subs: S.Moore, Cooper, Swift, Obita, Samuel, Meite, Watson.
Former United defender Jaap Stam returns to Old Trafford today.
He left the club for Lazio in controversial circumstances over 15 years ago, following the publication of his autobiography.
But Ferguson later admitted that selling Stam at the peak of his powers was one of the biggest mistakes in his managerial career.
The home side are looking for their eight consecutive win in all competitions but Reading should be no pushovers, with Stam guiding Reading to third in the Championship.
Remember one goal today, and Rooney will equal Bobby Charlton’s all-time club record of 249.
We’re underway at Old Trafford!
CHANCES! And just seconds after the kick-off Rashford sprays a shot just wide of the Reading post, before Al Habsi gets a strong hand to a Rooney effort that was heading goalwards.
Bright start by the home side.
GOAL! Man United 1-0 Reading (Rooney 7′)
There we have it for Rooney – 249 Man United goals puts him level with Bobby Charlton on the club’s all-time goalscoring list.
It was nice play by Martial on the left flank, he finds Mata in the box and the Spaniard’s cross is directed into the back of the net by the England captain.
Is goal number 250 on the horizon?
GOAL! Man United 2-0 Reading (Martial 15′)
Very poor defending from Reading, but take nothing away from United.
Martial drives forward with the ball, and plays a nice one-two with Rooney that leads to the Frenchman guiding the ball past the hapless Al Habsi.
Impressive display by United’s attackers so far with Rooney, Rashford and Martial leading the line – there will be more goals in this one.
Nobody has scored more for United!
SUB: Injury forces United into an early change with Jones replacing Rojo.
CLEAR! First significant Reading attack!
McCleary dribbles down the left wing and his cross is headed back across the goal by Beerens, but Carrick is in the right place at the right time to prevent Kelly getting an easy tap-in.
CHANCE! It was very nearly game on at Old Trafford.
A well-worked corner from Reading sees Kelly finding Van den Berg on the edge of the box, but Moore just can’t get his boot to the ball to direct it on target.
WIDE! Rashford’s goal-drought continues.
The youngster is put through on goal, he rounds the goalkeeper but finds the side of the net – not the back of it!
IRELAND WATCH! Superb pass from Evans finds Kelly making a darting run down the right channel, he drives into the box but fails to pick out Kermorgant, with Romero gratefully claiming the ball.
Reading have got into this game a lot more since that second goal.
SAVE! The busy Al Habsi storms off his line to narrow the angle for the on-rushing Rashford, with the goalkeeper diverting the striker’s shot wide.
Not going to plan so far…
IRISH EYE! Kelly has been in the game sporadically, playing on the right of a front three. But he has always been willing to look for the ball, and likes to play on the half-turn – always aware of his surroundings.
BLOCK! Brave defending by Evans who throws his body in front of Mata’s shot in the box. Next goal so important to how the rest of this game plays out.
OVER! Moments later Mata uncharacteristically curls a wayward shot over the bar while in space on the edge of the box.
CHANCE! Martial fires wide when he should have directed a Rashford cross into the back of the net. Chances galore at the moment.
HT: Man United 2-0 Reading
SUB: Obita replaces Blackett for Reading before the second period.
Here we go with the second 45!
WIDE: Bright start again by United with Jones intercepting in midfield, he finds Rashford who floats in a teasing cross for Rooney, who can’t direct his shot on target.
A nasty head injury for Carrick sees him leave the pitch to receive treatment.
A patched-up Carrick returns to the pitch.
SAVE! Al Habsi again gets down well, this time to save an arrowed Carrick drive.
YELLOW CARD! Booking for Young for a high challenge on Obita, but could have easily seen red.
Nice graph here via the BBC:
MISS! How has Rooney not broken the record there?
Terrific play by Rashford again and he picks out Fellaini in the box, the midfielder’s cross is fumbled by Al Habsi but Rooney can only hit the rebound off the goalkeeper.
SUB: Swift takes the place of Evans for Reading.
Young Kelly has had a solid Old Trafford debut.
BRILLIANT DEFENCE! Van den Berg gets a crucial touch on the ball to prevent Rashford getting an almost certain goal!
Reading are still in this game, but are yet to have a shot on target this afternoon.
WIDE! Reading having more of the ball now but can’t penetrate the United defence.
Williams has a shot from distance in more hope than expectation, but it fails to trouble Romero.
GOAL! Man Utd 3-0 Reading (Rashford 75′)
Game wrapped up now for the holders!
First goal in 18 matches for the young England striker after Carrick found Rashford with an inch-perfect through ball with the forward confidently finishing.
SUB: Schweinsteiger (remember him?) and Fosu-Mensah take the places of Carrick and Mata.
SUB: Samuel is the final change for Reading, with Kermorgant off.
GOAL! Man United 4-0 Reading (Rashford 79′)
Comical stuff from Al Habsi, who has performed well today, but does have errors in his locker.
The goalkeeper readies himself to kick a backpass from Moore but inadvertently makes contact with the ball with his standing foot - Rashford pounced to make it four!
Rashford, like all good strikers, had no problem capitalising on a goalkeeping error.
SAVE! First save of the day for Romero as he easily gathers Obita shot.
FT: Man United 4-0 Reading
Eights on the bounce for United – their best run in eight years. Wembley may still be on the horizon for Reading, if they were to reach the Championship play-off final, but it’s onwards and upwards for Jose Mourinho’s side.
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