Manchester United, who are on fire, will host Reading at Old Trafford on Saturday's FA Cup third round match (1/5/2019).
United seem to have started their New Year's resolution with a fresh start, and 2019 has so far felt much happier for the club than most of 2018. Of course it's thanks to their temporary coach after sacking one of the most successful coaches of all time, Jose Mourinho.
Towards this match United will try to maintain the start of victory under temporary manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with a fifth successive victory in all competitions, while the main goal is to get better than last season in the FA Cup.
While from the opposing side, Reading are struggling in the English Championship and are currently 23rd in the relegation zone, having only won 20 points from their 26 league matches so far.
Last time, Reading were beaten 4-1 at home by Swansea City, their third defeat in the last four matches. In fact, Reading's last win occurred on November 3 in a 3-2 victory against Bristol City.
Manchester United Team News
The Reds were given an injection of enthusiasm by the return of Alexis Sanchez as a second-half substitute in a 2-0 win at Newcastle after several weeks out with a hamstring injury.
Chris Smalling is set to miss again as he recovers from aching feet, while fellow defender Eric Bailly will miss the second match of a three-match ban following his red card against Bournemouth last weekend.
Expected Arrangement of Players: Romero; Dalot, Jones, Lindelof, Darmian; Fred, Fellaini; Chong, Gomes, Sanchez; Lukaku
Reading Team News
The Royals will definitely be without Leandro Bacuna and former United defender Tyler Blackett, both suspended after receiving a red card against Millwall. Long-term absence of Paul McShane, Saeid Ezatolahi and Jordan Obita will also be sidelined due to injury.
Expected Arrangement of Players: Jaakola; Yiadom, Ilori, O’Shea, Richards; Rinomhota, Swift; Harriott, Aluko, Barrow; Bodvarsson
Head to Head
Reading have only won one of their previous 21 matches against United in all competitions. The Red Devils are unbeaten in 16 matches since then, winning 12 including the last four matches.
Man United 4-0 Reading
Man United 1-0 Reading
Man United 2-1 Reading
Reading 3-4 Man United
Reading 0-2 Man United
Man United last five matches
Newcastle 0-2 Man United
Man United 4-1 Bournemouth
Man United 3-1 Huddersfield
Cardiff 1-5 Man United
Liverpool 3-1 Man United
Reading Last Five matches
Reading 1-4 Swansea
QPR 0-0 Reading
Millwall 1-0 Reading
Reading 0-1 Middlesbrough
Rotherham 1-1 Reading
Prediction
United are currently under Solskjaer at this time and it is impossible if suddenly they lose at home to a team that is struggling and appearing so badly at English Championsip. Even though United did not lower their main strength, it looks like United can beat Reading without problems.
MY PICK
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