Manchester United 3, Reading 1 (FA Cup 4th Round)
Casemiro struck twice in the second half and Fred back heeled a third as United finally broke down the Reading resistance in their hard fought FA Cup 4th Round tie.
Marcus Rashford thought he had scored a record 10th consecutive goal at home but it was ruled out for offside by VAR as the Reds initially struggled to break down the Royals.
Andy Carroll was sent off for two bookings as the Royals went down fighting in the second half with Amadou Mbengue scoring a late consolation from a corner.
PLAYER RATINGS – Manchester United 3, Reading 1 (FA Cup 4th Round)
David De Gea: 6. Great save to deny Junior Hoilett.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka: 7. Some good touches in early build-up. Lots of good crosses went to waste
Harry Maguire: 6. Anchored the United defence but had precious few things to deal with. Had some tricky moments towards the end as Reading chased a second goal.
Victor Lindelof: 6. Had his hands full looking after Andy Carroll.
Tyrell Malacia: 6. Put some decent crosses in.
Casemiro: 8. Some strong defensive action required as Reading threatened occasionally. Good passing range again but tried to buy a penalty towards the end of the first half but referee Darren England was not having it. Superbly timed run to get on the end of an Antony through ball to open the scoring and his second goal was a perfectly hit shot too.
Bruno Fernandes: 7. Wasted many great scoring chances but set up United’s third goal for Fred.
Christian Eriksen: 6. Had several chances to open the scoring with set pieces and speculative shots. Was bowled over by Andy Carroll in the second half with a two footed lunge and had to go off.
Antony: 7. Lot of pace on show but wayward balls and an awkward slip as he cut inside predictably too often. Opted for a deep through ball instead and created the opening goal from Casemiro.
Marcus Rashford: 7. Dangerous in the box – could have scored early and did score from close range but it was ruled out for offside by Wout Weghorst.
Wout Weghorst: 7. Good hold up play. Early back heel would have been a great goal but it went wide. Had a shot blocked too and sent a header in which Rashford scored off but his knee was adjudged offside in the build up. Left Junior Hoilett with a bloody nose after accidental clash.
Fred (on for Christian Eriksen, 57): 7. Laid on Casemiro’s second goal immediately after coming on and then scored an outrageous back heel goal.
GOALS – Manchester United 3, Reading 1 (FA Cup 4th Round)
Man Utd 1, Reading 0: 55. Casemiro’s perfectly timed run onto Antony’s through ball ended with a chip over the goalkeeper Joe Lumbley
Man Utd 2, Reading 0: 58. Casemiro was given the ball by Fred after Bruno Fernandes cut the ball back to him and duly curled in a second goal from 30 yards out.
Man Utd 3, Reading 0: 66. Fred back heeled an outrageous goal after meeting Bruno Fernandes’ square pass a yard out from goal.
Man Utd 3, Reading 1: 72. Amadou Mbengue headed home a goal for Reading from Tom Ince’s corner from 6 yards out.
MATCH STATS – Manchester United 3, Reading 1 (FA Cup 4th Round)
Man Utd: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Malacia, Casemiro (Mainoo 73), Fernandes (Fernandes 68), Eriksen (Fred 57), Antony, Rashford (Garnacho 68), Weghorst (Elanga 73)
Man Utd Subs not used: Heaton, Martinez, Varane, Williams
Booking: Malacia (foul on Tom Ince 78)
Goals: Casemiro 55, 58; Fred 66
Reading: Lumley (Bouzanis 75), Hoilett (Mbengue 69), Yiadom, Holmes, McIntyre, Baba, Hendrick (Craig 75), Loum (Fornah 62), Ince, Lucas Joao (Long 75), Carroll
Reading Subs not used: Dann, Meite, Azeez, Guinness-Walker
Booking: Carroll 60 (foul on Tyrell Malacia); Carroll 65 (foul on Casemiro)
Red Card: Carroll 65 (Second Yellow)
Goal: Mbengue 72
Referee: Darren England
Attendance: 73,460