Match report
A predictably one-sided affair at Old Trafford on Saturday night ultimately culminated in Manchester United marching on to the fifth round of the FA Cup at the expense of Championship outfit Reading.
It was the Brazilian Red Devils contingent who made the difference on the evening, in notching all three goals en route to a 3-1 result.
Casemiro was first on the scoresheet, latching onto fellow Selecao star Antony’s defence-splitting pass before dinking a gorgeous finish beyond Joe Lumley:
And the starring summer arrival at the Theatre of Dreams was back on target once more just minutes later, in this time making use of Fred’s layoff to direct a long-range effort into the bottom corner:
Fred then turned from provider to goalscorer 25 minutes from time, turning the Samba style on courtesy of a gorgeous flicked finish at the near post:
Reading, despite having been reduced to ten men, did manage to pull one back late on, when Amadou Mbengue rose highest to nod home Tom Ince’s corner from the right.
But the damage, in truth, had long been done, as Manchester United kept hopes of a domestic cup double alive and well by means of booking their spot in the draw for the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Player ratings
Manchester United
David de Gea - 5.5
Aaron Wan-Bissaka - 5.5
Victor Lindelof - 6.5
Harry Maguire - 7
Tyrell Malacia - 6.5
Casemiro - 6
Christian Eriksen - 8.5
Bruno Fernandes - 7.5
Antony - 7
Marcus Rashford - 6.5
Wout Weghorst - 6
Substitutes: Fred - 7, Alejandro Garnacho - 6, Facundo Pellistri - 5, Kobbie Mainoo - N/A, Anthony Elanga - N/A
Reading
Joe Lumley - 5
Andy Yiadom - 5
Tom McIntyre - 6
Tom Holmes - 6
Junior Hoilett - 4.5
Baba Rahman - 5.5
Tom Ince - 6
Mamadou Loum - 5.5
Jeff Hendrick - 6
Lucas Joao - 5.5
Andy Carroll - 4
Substitutes: Tyrese Fornah - 5.5, Amadou Mbengue - 6.5, Dean Bouzanis - N/A, Michael Craig - N/A, Shane Long - N/A
Fan reaction & key stats
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