Good morning! And welcome to our minute-by-minute coverage of today’s FA Cup third round clash between Manchester United and Reading.
Wipe the sleep out of your eyes, pop the kettle on and settle in for some intriguing cup action — sure it’s never too early.
The Ole revolution is well and truly underway and with four Premier League wins on the hop, the fun factor has been brought back to Old Trafford by the babyfaced ex-striker from Norway.
Today Solskjaer’s men welcome Reading to the Theatre of Dreams looking for a fifth consecutive win in a row, with a familiar face in John O’Shea also making a return to Old Trafford.
Kick-off is coming up in just over an hour’s time at 12.30pm.
The #MUFC starting line-up is in! 📝
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 5, 2019
Get reaction to today's team news in our Official App: https://t.co/gkCudvePLt pic.twitter.com/LSHdjjQ3tF
⚡️ TEAM NEWS ⚡️
— Reading FC (@ReadingFC) January 5, 2019
Here's how we line-up against @ManUtd in the @EmiratesFACup Third Round...#MUNvREA pic.twitter.com/2Le0fsaerj
So, today’s teams will line out as:
Manchester United: Romero, Dalot, Darmian, Jones, Young, McTominay, Fred, Andreas, Mata, Lukaku, Alexis.
Substitutes: Grant, Lindelof, Fellaini, Garner, Chong, Martial, Rashford.
Reading: Jaakkola, Yiadom, Ilori, Moore, Richards, Kelly, Rinomhota, McCleary, Swift, Harriott, Loader.
Substitutes: Walker, Gunter, O’Shea, Aluko, Barrow, Meite, East.
Time to catch up with Ole on #MUTV! Here's a quick word on this afternoon's #EmiratesFACup opponents. pic.twitter.com/1taFW3njsK
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 5, 2019
Some pre-game reading material ahead of kick-off:
- Solskjaer overwhelmed by ‘phenomenal’ United structure as club weigh up January signings
- John O’Shea backs former team-mate Solskjaer to take permanent United job
- Solskjaer on his Man United future: I don’t want to leave!
- Neville: My one problem with Pogba was his disrespectful Mourinho post
- Lukaku and Rashford on target as Man United make it four wins on the bounce under Solskjaer
There’s no place for Sheasy in Reading’s starting XI this afternoon but he has been named on the bench. The 37-year-old enjoyed more than a few happy memories at Old Trafford down through the years, making 256 appearances, winning five Premier League titles, one Champions League and — yes — one FA Cup.
The Waterford man was quick to praise former team-mate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after his impressive start to life in the hot-seat in charge of Man United. “It’s been an amazing start for Ole, it’s been incredible,” O’Shea told a Reading press conference this week.
“He’s brought enjoyment and that freedom of expression; they’re at Manchester United because they’re good players. That’s the big thing. He’s looked from the outside at what he’s tried to do.
“Knowing Ole, the type of player and person he was, you can see why the board and the club decided to go that way. He’s doing a hell of an impression to get the job, that’s for sure.”
The former Ireland international said of the key elements the Norwegian has brought to the set-up: “It’d be that enjoyment factor, and that professionalism and killer instinct he had.
“That’s definitely been the key. The main thing is to have that enjoyment element and maintaining the standard of what the club and fans hope and expect to see.”
Another proud day for our @RFCAcademy. 👏#MUNvREA pic.twitter.com/kfhDIaLFHC
— Reading FC (@ReadingFC) January 5, 2019
KICK-OFF: We’re underway at Old Trafford for the first half!
A promising early start from Reading here. They are battling desperately against relegation in the Championship, currently occupying 23rd spot with just 20 points from 26 games, but are holding their own in these initial exchanges.
Liam Kelly will be a familiar name to Irish audiences today. The mercurial midfielder turned down an international call-up by Martin O’Neill last year having represented Ireland at U19 and U21 level, failing to reply to the manager’s messages prior to a friendly against Turkey.
“The lad didn’t get back to me,” O’Neill said. “He sent me a text message about four or five days afterwards. At the end of it all, I’m not going to push it. It’s up to the players.” He didn’t seem best pleased about being left on “seen.”
*was left on seen*
— mira✨ (@jjksqt) January 3, 2019
me: yeah okay, understandable
also me: pic.twitter.com/IswHLVVPhX
A first chance of the game for Man United. Ashley Young floats an inviting free kick into the box. Scott McTominay rises highest and heads towards goal, but he collides with an opposition player along the way and will now receive medical attention.
McTominay is okay to continue after taking that knock in the penalty area competing for a header. Reading straight away revert back to their early spell of possession which they are enjoying early on here, with Andy Rinomhota and Kelly both looking comfortable on the ball in the middle of the park.
Strike! Out of no-where Man United snap awake and all of a sudden Alexis Sanchez is lining up a shot from right outside the box. He really whacks it, but his strike dips the wrong side of the crossbar. Loads of power, but just not enough dip. It almost looked like booting a beach ball the way it went up and down over such a short distance. Alexis sighs and heads back to try again.
Reading respond in kind with their own ambitious strike at the other end. Garath McCleary delivers a low cross into the area which finds Andy Rinomhota, but his effort flies over the top of Sergio Romero’s crossbar. Very close though.
Man United have the ball in the back of their opponent’s net, but we’re not quite sure if it’ll count. The linesman raised his flag for offside to cancel out Fred’s finish, but there may also be a shout for a penalty for a foul beforehand. Free out, goal or penalty? The referee pauses to make a decision. The drama…
The referee points to the spot for a foul on Juan Mata! Fred’s goal won’t count as he was deemed offside, but Man United do have the chance to take the lead from the spot here after VAR was deployed to assist. That was terribly confusing altogether.
GOAL! MAN UNITED 1-0 READING (MATA 22)
GOOOOOOAL!!! After all that Juan Mata steps up and fires the ball beyond the reach of goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola to make it 1-0. A fine penalty, struck low and powerfully off the post and into the back of the net. We have a breakthrough at Old Trafford.
After a sleepy start to this game Man United have woken up and are searching for a second straight away. Ashley Young bounds down the left wing and provides an inviting low cross whizzed right into the danger zone, but Jaakkola comes from his line to gather smartly. Reading really starting to get pinned back here.
Chances at both ends now. Romelu Lukaku races free with the goal at his beg and mercy, but Tiago Ilori stays with him just enough to put the Man United striker off on his weaker left foot. At the other end United’s high line is caught completely off guard as Danny Loader sprints free on goal. The 18-year-old rounds Sergio Romero, but the Argentine goalkeeper recovers in time to boot the ball out for a corner.
Reading really upping their tempo here. Another close opportunity comes and goes as Callum Harriott sizes up a shot from distance on his left boot. He slices a clean strike aimed towards Romero’s top right corner, but it flies the wrong side of the post and comfortably wide. A really entertaining game, this. Plenty of shots from all angles.
Alexis Sanchez breaks free inside the box as United try and double their advantage before the half is out. He cuts onto his right foot and prepares to pull the trigger, but Tiago Ilori reads the situation brilliantly to toe-poke the ball away from danger at the last possible second. Well read.
Five minutes to go before the break and both teams really do look like potentially scoring at any moment. Reading were heavy, heavy underdogs heading into this game and — sitting second bottom of the Championship — rightly so. But Jose Gomes’ men have more than held their own here. They don’t look cowed or overly intimidated and are creating a lot of promising attacking patterns. A very open, expansive game from both sides.
Close! Andy Yiadom picks up the ball inside the box and, despite being surrounded by a host of bodies in red shirts, turns brilliantly to get his shot off and force a strong save from Romero. That easily could have flown into the roof of the net, and you have to say Reading are ending this first half very confidently in search of a leveller.
GOAL! MAN UNITED 2-0 READING (LUKAKU 45+4)
GOOOOALLLL!!! It’s an absolute sucker punch to Reading as Man United double their advantage deep into stoppage time. Right after Yiadom’s chance at one end, Alexis Sanchez cuts Ilori and Liam Moore to pieces with a brilliant ball through the heart of the Reading defence. Romelu Lukaku chases possession and rounds the goalkeeper before sliding the ball into an empty net. A cool, calm finish and it’s 2-0.
HALF-TIME: MAN UNITED 2-0 READING
That's all from the first half! ✌️
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 5, 2019
Get reaction in the #MUFC Official App: https://t.co/gkCudvePLt pic.twitter.com/v1gh5IMJXU
A dramatic end to the half then. It’s been a really intriguing and entertaining FA Cup affair. These early kick-offs can be hit and miss at the best of times, but credit to both teams because they have put on a fine match so far.
Juan Mata’s penalty broke the deadlock as we saw VAR put to use, with Romelu Lukaku doubled United’s lead with an excellent finish deep into added time. Reading will feel a little hard done by with a 2-0 scoreline.
Jose Gomes’ men have not just men behind the ball so far and have more than their share of chances to test Sergio Romero. But none have been converted and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men have been ruthless in punishing Ilori and Moore at the other end. More action to come shortly!
Here are both goals from the first half:
Cool as you like @juanmata8 ❄️ pic.twitter.com/modKbYx66V
— The Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 5, 2019
😎 @RomeluLukaku9 makes no mistake. pic.twitter.com/zNkxctYSuX
— The Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 5, 2019
SECOND-HALF: We’re back underway!
A chance right from the off for Reading. The ball is teed up on the edge of the area for John Swift, but he blasts a poor effort right over the top of the crossbar. Gomes’ side have nothing to lose in this second half really, so seem to be going for it right from the get-go.
A second chance in quick succession for Swift at the start of this second half. This time it’s a free-kick struck from 30 yards, but it’s right at Sergio Romero, who gathers easily to keep his clean sheet intact.
It’s all Reading right now, but United are keeping them at arm’s length and restricting the visitors to shots from range. Another effort flies towards goal, this time from the boot of Liam Kelly, but it misses the target and ends up comfortably wide.
Save! Callum Harriott comes agonisingly close to halving the deficit. A brilliant ball through the heart of the United defence sees the winger one-on-one with Romero in front of goal. He sends the goalkeeper the wrong way with a low strike, but the United goalkeeper sticks out his legs just enough to keep the ball away. An excellent stop.
Romelu Lukaku responds at the other end by barging through a host of Reading defenders trying to get his shot away in the box. His eventual effort is blocked down at the last second, with Andreas Pereira unable to provide a follow-up to keep the pressure up. Both teams are slugging it out at the moment, end-to-end stuff.
Double substitution for Man United: Tahith Chong replaces Juan Mata & Marouane Fellaini replaces Fred.
🗓️ 5 January 2019: @TahithC makes his first-team debut for #MUFC! 👏
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 5, 2019
He comes on for @JuanMata8, while @Fellaini replaces @Fred08Oficial. #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/hKomk5e76a
There is a buzz about Old Trafford as 19-year-old Dutch winger Tahith Chong comes on for the very first time for Manchester United. The player’s impressive hair catches the eye immediately, but he shows what he can do with the ball at his feet with a darting run through midfield as soon as he picks up possession. One to definitely keep an eye on for the near future.
Almost a third for United. Ashley Young joins the attack down that lefthand channel and gets to the byline before crossing into the box. It almost takes a touch off Liam Moore before ending up in his own goal, but Jaakkola steadies the ship and collects possession off his line with calm assurance. Reading holding on here, trying not to concede another.
Close! Second-half introduction Sone Aluko takes possession on the edge of the box as Reading punish Ashley Young for sloppily giving away the ball needlessly. Aluko tried to curl the ball into Sergio Romero’s bottom corner, but the goalkeeper managed to sprawl himself across and tip the ball to safety.
Reading running out of steam a little bit here. Aside from Juan Mata’s penalty they were largely a match for Man United throughout the first half, but they have really tailed off since going two goals down. John Swift and Danny Loader have been isolated figures in this second half up front, struggling to get the better of Matteo Darmian and Phil Jones.
With a plethora of changes and substitutions, United are now the side content to sit back and soak up pressure. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men seem content with their two goal lead with 10 minutes to go. Liam Kelly and Modou Barrow are doing their utmost best to fire crosses into the danger zone to try and ignite the most unlikely of comebacks for Reading late on here, but nothing is coming off.
For the love of God, Jose Gomes, do the right thing and bring on Sheasy. It’s the right thing to do. Even with all your substitutes used up already, just log him on. He deserves a send-off from Old Trafford surely.
Reading are just strumming the ball to and fro for these final few minutes now. The result seems all but a foregone conclusion as empty pockets of seats begin to open up all throughout the ground as supporters take their leave. This turkey is cooked.
A moment of comic relief as Marcus Rashford races through on goal, rounds the goalkeeper and gets ready to slip the ball into an empty net… before falling on his backside. His last touch was a little heavy and the in-form striker tried to bring it under control, but his touch let him down a second time as he tumbled to the floor with a smile and a laugh.
There will be three minutes of stoppage time to come at the end of the second half.
FULL-TIME: MAN UNITED 2-0 READING
There we have it. Another game, another win for Man United under the stewardship of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer — that’s five in a row now. Reading provided a decent test throughout much of an entertaining first half, but Juan Mata’s penalty plus another deep into stoppage time from Romelu Lukaku made it a comfortable win in the end. Thanks a million for joining us this afternoon — you can read our full match report from today’s game here. Bye!
We're through to the #EmiratesFACup fourth round!
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 5, 2019
Post-match reaction in the #MUFC Official App: https://t.co/gkCudvePLt pic.twitter.com/EGlj7fqyJO
Subscribe to our new podcast, Heineken Rugby Weekly on The42, here:
As much as I want England to win the World Cup and Erasmus to lose it, I’d absolutely love if Jones walked away with a World Cup winners medal. I know he had an offer on the table from munster and he turned it down but I can’t help but feeling he’s a loss to Irish rugby and that the IRFU and munster should have done more to keep him involved, even if it wasn’t with Munster.
@Jim Demps: really. Surprised.
Dont want to bad mouth the man, he was a great player. But tbought, he was a very poor attack coach. Herd from a source in the camp, that the players were getting depressed with the lack of invention in regards to attack play.
Do wish him well tho
@Paddy Waggon: era he’s only 32 as well, if we want to be developing Irish coaches then we need to give them a chance.
@Jim Demps: It was probably the best time for him personally to get away given he’s not tied down with family yet so the world is his oyster and a change of scenery is probably needed given how much of a target he became for the keyboard warriors. He’ll have no trouble finding himself work and there’s no way that’s the last of him coaching within the IRFU.
@Eddie Hekenui: yeah I’d hope he’ll come back in alright. As it stands there aren’t a whole pile of Irish lads in front line roles, Carolan and Duffy in connacht, Leo Cullen and Jared Payne would be about it. It’d be nice to see a few lads progress a bit and have a few more Irish lads ready to take on big roles. Rog, Davidson, Kidney, McCall are all top class coaches and the IRFU should be trying to get them employed at home.
@Jim Demps: I don’t see the need to have them all employed in Ireland. That just creates a closed loop. Far better to have them start off here, earn their spurs and then head off to wherever they can get jobs to experience different ideas, experiences and cultures. Then they can take all that knowledge and bring it back to Ireland. Them moving on also clears space for another young coach or two to move up the ladder.
@Jim Demps: Hugh Hogan is doing a good job at Leinster. He gained most of his knowledge in the AIL, good to see coaches from that level stepping up. Can see him continuing to progress.
@Eddie Hekenui: yeah that’s fair enough but the Irfu haven’t seemed too interested in bringing lads back yet. Of the last few high profile jobs in the country I’d love to have seen how many of the Irish lads I mentioned were spoken to by the IRFU. Conor o Shea is another guy who would have been a huge addition.
@Jim Demps: Well I think they have had their chance a few times with O’Shea, he took up a job with the RFU now so that’s him lost for a few more years. I’d really like to see him in the IRFU Management side of things rather than coaching, he does a good job on the field but I think he’s strategically better than most people think and his role with the Olympic Team GB prior to London shouldn’t be overlooked either. Is there an Australian out of contract in two years which Conor might be good at???
@ThatLJD: I think that’s be the ideal situation, having o shea in for nucifora. Conor has shown time and time again that he’s one of the best rugby administrators out there and it’d be great to have him running the show.
@Eddie Hekenui: yep. Rog gaining massive experience
@Jim Demps: I heard from a source? Yeah right
@Chris Tobin: fellas get too excited on here when they see me comment. Don’t even have to say anything anymore to trigger lads
@Chris Tobin: yeah, I’d also question the insistsnce that players became depressed by tactics. It should have told the commenter all they needed to know about their source.
@Eddie Hekenui: married, mortgage and 2 young kids. That’s about as tied down as you can get.
@Joe O’Doherty: Not really. Much harder to move when kids are older and you’re thinking about schools etc. You never hear coaches talk about mortgages etc when it comes to jobs but you hear them talking about their kids all the time.
Delighted for Felix. Contributed so much to Munster. He will be the first Irish man to win a rugby World Cup medal. Will it be gold or silver?
@Ivan O’Riordan: Kyran Bracken in 2003
@Eoin Jaypee: Wouldn’t be calling Bracken an Irishman. Lived his whole life in England.
@Eoin Jaypee: A couple of other candidates
Stephen Moore – Silver in 2015 – has strong Irish connections
Two Irish parents. Lived in Tuam for 5 years. Not born in Australia (not here either though).
John Gallagher from the 87 NZ team was similar and won the tournament. Born to two Irish parents in London before they emigrated to NZ, but I don’t think he ever lived in Ireland
@Chris Mansfield: Gallagher played for Ireland a back in the day too
@Chris Mansfield: Father from that great rugby stronghold ….Limerick City!!
@Ardmore02: and yet the Duke of Wellington can be considered Irish too. Different countries have different rules.
All his famous attacking expertise was really on display last Sunday.
@KH: Obviously worked better than Schmidt’s !!
@KH: Not Jones gig as he’s not the attack coach.
@KH: so quick to throw in a negative comment that you forgot what his role is.
@KH: made a right fool of yourself there kid
@Timmy O’Toole:
Dont worry @KH just look at the posters that are hitting at you .
@Martin Quinn:
He is a good guy, talked to him when he was up in Leinster and him and some other coaches dropped over to our club:: Down to earth and knew his stuff !!! Very happy for him as this could be a good thing to have on your CV.
As stolen from the internet….the moment you realise Matt Damon has won more world cups than Ireland.
Sad but true.
Good luck to Felix.
@Hirrison Mirk: you understand how movies work right?
@Dave O Keeffe: and France Scotland Wales and Argentina. Not just Ireland
@Dave O Keeffe: they act as a distraction from our World Cup campaign?
Absolutely delighted for Stephen Jones. I hope he gets a winner’s medal in Japan. It is fantastic that we have so many young Irish coaches going overseas to gain experience outside of the Irish model and bodes well for the future. I would love to see a structure in place that got them spending some time working in school rugby.
@Mr. Common Sense: Stephen?
@Ivan O’Riordan:
Lad read the page for God sake
FELIX JONES
Every time you want to praise England your reminded of how much of a foul, smug, little odious man Eddie Jones is.
Was going to support England, as the Northern Hemisphere team, in Saturday’s RWC final. But this bolt-from-the-blue revelation of a young Irishman, former International, being so closely involved behind the scenes with the Springboks has left one in a serious but very short-term dilemma.
Go Felix!
Hon’ the Boks!
Great experience for him.
Well deserved, especially after the way he was treated at Munster. They could regret that.
@Tom McGirr: Explain to us how he was treated at Munster please?
It’s such a shame that Felix had to retire from playing so young. He could easily be backup up to Bob until next RWC.