Manchester United comfortably entered into the fourth round of the FA cup after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer collected the fifth straight win as United's managers. Against Reading, United was not at its best but the first half goals from Mata and Lukaku secured the win. FA Cup is the best route to collect silverware for Solskjaer and United this season.
After the busy festival, Solskjaer rotated the squad heavily as he made 9 changes from the side that won against Newcastle 3 days ago. But it was surprising not to see the youngsters starting. Of 11 players, 10 players were full Internationals. But the team didn't perform at the best and there was no coherence in the play.
United was a better team in the first half, as a result, the first goal took 20 minutes to come. It was VAR in action for the goal. In the build-up, Sanchez found Fred in the box who put it into the net after exchanging it with Mata but was ruled offside. Luckily for United VAR was called in action which awarded a penalty for United after Reading player fouled Mata when he played the ball to Fred. Mata took the penalty, calm as he likes, he scored to take United upfront.
After the goal, United had some more chances to score but Lukaku and Sanchez failed in some good opportunities. To everyone's surprise, Reading grew more confident after conceding and was getting forward more than Manchester United. But eventually, it cost them again as United scored again in the counter after the mistake by Swift. After a couple of back to back diagonal passes opened up Reading in counter, Sanchez found Lukaku with a perfect pass. Lukaku went past the keeper and finished it up from a tight angle to double the lead for United at the end of the first half. It is the third goal for Luaku in as many as 3 matches.
Reading started the second half with a strong motivation to get something at Old Trafford and dominated United from the start. Ball remained mostly in United's half but they couldn't get past Sergio Romero. Callum Harriott was denied one of the best chance in the match. In an hour mark, Solskjaer introduced promising young talent Tahith Chong for Mata and Fellaini for poor Fred. Chong didn't do a lot to impress but he got great support from the crowd everytime he touched the ball. Alexis Sanchez got the injury back and was replaced by Sanchez. In the later part, United was happy with the score and didn't do anything for more goals while Reading lacked the quality to get anything in the match.
With the win, United are through to the fourth round of the FA Cup. The fourth round draw will take place on Monday after Liverpool clash with Wolves. United will now enjoy a long vacation in the hot Dubai before they travel to Wembley to face Spurs next Sunday.
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