Goal

List of goalscorers

J. Mata
22'
1 - 0
R. Lukaku
45'
2 - 0
Press

Match report in news

End of match

End of match

  • 93'
    FT: MANCHESTER UNITED 2-0 READING- A routine result in the end for United, as Solskjaer's winning start stretches to five matches. The visitors should take heart from their performance, as they made things very uncomfortable for their superior ranked opposition. However all in all, the quality told for United, who advance to the next round.
  • 92'
    CHANCE UNITED- Pereira unleashes a wicked drive at goal and Jakkola responds with an equally brilliant save!
  • 90'
    Just the three minutes of additional time to play...
  • 86'
    The game is coming to a close with the tempo just lulling slightly, it seems as though United have done enough here to progress to the next round.
  • 81'
    CHANCE READING- Meite latches onto a cross at the back post, but can only fire his volleyed effort over the bar from the narrow angle!
Card

Yellow card

a Manchester United
  • 77'
    YELLOW CARD UNITED- debutant Chong is booked for a late trip on Richards.
  • 74'
    CHANGE READING- Harriott makes way for Meite, who now leads the line for the visitors.
  • 71'
    CHANCE READING- Young is dispossesed by Barrow, who picks out Aluko on the edge of the box, and the long range drive forces Romero into a save.
  • 67'
    CHANCE UNITED- A mazey run from Young feeds Fellaini in the middle of the box. But the ball was behind the Belgian and he could only prod it into the waiting arms of the Reading goalkeeper.
  • 63'
    CHANGE UNITED- Alexis Sanchez makes way as he seems to have suffered a re occurrence of an injury. Rashford comes on to take his place in attack.
Substitution

Substitution

at Reading
  • 61'
    DOUBLE CHANGE UNITED- veteran Juan Mata makes way for youngster Tahith Chong. The Dutch wonder kid makes his Old Trafford bow. Another change is made for the hosts as Fellaini replaces Fred.
  • 60'
    CHANGE READING- McCleary makes way for Barrow in midfield.
  • 53'
    CHANCE READING- A great reverse pass from Aluko sees Harriott have a chance on goal. The young forward shoots straight at Romero! What a chance to get back in the match!
  • 48'
    CHANCE READING- Swift takes aim from a set piece on the edge of the area, but the bounce is kind for Romero, who gathers and clears.
  • 46'
    CHANCE READING- Swift takes aim from the edge of the box, but his effort blazes over the bar.
Substitution

Substitution

at Reading
  • 46'
    HT CHANGE FOR READING- Aluko replaces Ilori for the visitors, as they perform a tactical reshuffle.
  • 46'
    And we are back underway at Old Trafford!
  • 45'
    HT: MANCHESTER UNITED 2-0 READING- A comfortable half time lead for the Premier League side, who profit from a VAR awarded penalty and a rapid counter attack. Perhaps the scores are slightly harsh on visitors Reading; the Championship strugglers have more than matched the hosts, but have lacked the necessary quality to get on the score sheet. The 'Royals' have much work to do now to get back into this one!
Goal
Goaaaaaal!
de Manchester United en el 45'
  • 45'
    GOOOOAAALLL UNITED!! 2-0! Lukaku breaks behind the high Readng back line, latches onto a smart pass from Sanchez to round the keeper, and extend the home side's lead! United demonstrate their superior quality to take full control of the scoreline.
  • 45'
    CHANCE READING! Yiadom stings the palms of the United keeper with a close range drive! The visitors are pushing for a late leveller before the interval here!
  • 40'
    Into the final five minutes of a fairly balanced half. United lead courtesy of a Juan Mata strike from the penalty spot, after VAR adjudged him to have been fouled in the build up to the offside goal scored by fellow midfielder Fred. Reading have performed well, and with a bit of quality, could easily have got back on level terms by now.
  • 37'
    CHANCE UNITED- Alexis Sanchez breaks into the box, but just when the danger seemed to be cleared by the visitors, a back pass forces keeper Jaakola into an unorthodox stop to prevent the ball from going in- the keeper parried it away with his knees to avoid handling a perceived back pass.
Card

Yellow card

a Reading
  • 33'
    FREE KICK UNITED- Yiadom flies into a late challenge on Fred, and is rightfully cautioned.
  • 31'
    CHANCE READING- Harriott takes aim from distance and is unlucky not to find the far upright! The visitors have responded in great fashion to going behind here. They're showing great fight and belief.
  • 30'
    CHANCE READING- immediate response sees Loader break free at the other end, but the youngster dawdles on the ball, and takes it too far around United keeper Romero, who smothers it out for a corner.
  • 29'
    CHANCE UNITED- Lukaku breaks clear and stings the palms of the Reading stopper.
  • 27'
    United tails are up here, as the early nervousness has been dispersed with the opening goal. The home side are starting to string a few promising passing plays together.
  • 24'
    UNITED PENALTY CLAIM- Sanchez strikes the ball against the arm of Yiadom, and the home crowd shouts for a second spot kick. The call would have been harsh had it been given, due to the proximity of the player to the ball.
  • 21'
    GOOAAAALLL UNITED! 1-0! Juan Mata tucks away the penalty with aplomb. In spite of not really endangering the visitor's goal in the opening quarter of the game, Solskjaer's side have the lead.
  • 20'
    PENALTY UNITED- VAR official deems foul on Mata worthy of a spot kick.
  • 20'
    UNITED GOAL RULED OUT- Fred tucks the ball into the net but is deemed offside from Juan Mata's forward pass. Controversy still reigns here, as the Spaniard seemed to be tripped as he played the ball. Referee is consulting VAR for guidance...
  • 17'
    CHANCE READING- Yiadom latches onto the end of a cross, but his first time effort at the back post flies harmlessly wide of the goal. A great chance to test the United goal very much wasted there. Seemed like a rush of blood to the head for the young full back.
  • 16'
    CHANCE UNITED- Great one-touch passing from the hosts sees them move the ball quickly up the field. In the end, it is Sanchez who takes the strike on from around 30 yards out. He catches it well, but there is not enough dip on the effort and the ball drops just over the bar.
  • 12'
    FREE KICK READING- Lukaku and Ilori clash in the air and the defender is left injured. The United forward's challenge appeared to be slightly late on the centre back there.
  • 10'
    United just picking up the tempo here. Sanchez and Lukaku have already begun to try to link up in the final third, but still the Reading stopper Jaakola is yet to be tested. In fact, the visitors have enjoyed the majority of the early play, with the influx of youth looking to display the best of themselves.
  • 7'
    FREE KICK UNITED- Sanchez is bundled over with his back to goal and the hosts have the first set piece opportunity of the game.
  • 5'
    A quiet start to the game, with possession being centred around the middle third of the pitch. The pace of play is rather slow at the moment. Neither side has made any great strides forward as of yet, and they seem to be content to just settle into the match.
  • 1'
    And we are underway in Manchester!
Start of match

Start of match

  • PRVW
    The teams are just appearing in the tunnel, with just pre-match formalities to complete before this first FA Cup clash of the day kicks off!
  • PRVW
    Visiting side Reading boast FIVE academy prospects in their starting lineup today. What a great experience for the youngsters to play at such an historic venue and against some of the biggest names in world football.
  • PRVW
    Today's venue is in top condition to welcome the sides...
  • PRVW
    The teams have begun to arrive at Old Trafford , with a familiar old face, John O'Shea making a return to his old club.
  • PRVW
    Next for the visitors, Reading: Jaakola; Yiadom, Ilori, Moore, Richards, Kelly, Rinomhota, McCleary, Swift, Harriott, Loader.
  • PRVW
    And now for some team news, starting with hosts Manchester United: Romero; Dalot, Darmian, Jones, Young, McTominay, Fred, Pereira, Mata, Lukaku, Sanchez.
  • PRVW
    Visiting boss Jose Gomes had this to say: "It's going to be a special game. It will be very tough, but it's a football game and anything can happen."
  • PRVW
    What did the managers have to say about the encounter today? United boss Solskjaer: "The FA Cup is fantastic and the players we put on the pitch will have nothing to lose too. They’ll go out there and they’ve got their careers ahead of them. Hopefully we can produce a couple of scary moments for Mr John O’Shea!”
  • PRVW
    Before we announce the team news for today's clash, here's a little guide to show the form of the two sides heading into the encounter:
Info

Pre-match

05 January 2019, 13:30

Referee: Stuart Attwell

Stadium: Old Trafford

  • PRVW
    Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of the FA Cup third round tie between Manchester United and Reading from Old Trafford. Live build up, team news and text coverage to follow shortly...