Manchester United vs Reading Preview

By Arjun Handa -
Manchester United vs Reading Preview
Image result for manchester united vs reading
Image from BTSport
Manchester United go into the game on a run of four wins in a row in the Premier League after the appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as caretaker manager, which has now put them six points behind Chelsea in fourth and ten points behind our next league opponents, Tottenham in third. But now United turn their attention to some potential silverware in the FA Cup in which United have reached at least the Quarter Finals stage for the past four years, reaching the final in 2016 and 2018 with luck on United's side in the former as they beat Crystal Palace 2-1 with goals from Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard. Reading faced United last in the FA Cup in 2017 and were hammered 4-0 where a record equalising goal from Wayne Rooney, a cool finish from Anthony Martial and a brace from Marcus Rashford sealed the emphatic win.

Image result for alexis sanchez
Image from 90Min
United have the chance to rest some players that have been vital to Solskjaer's success and give youth a chance as United have always done. I think this allows players like Andreas Pereira, Fred and Fellaini all to make appearances in the midfield. Taith Chong travelled to Newcastle and Angel Gomes came on for the last ten minutes against Bournemouth and could feature tomorrow. Marcos Rojo and Scott McTominay are stepping up their fitness levels and may be available but it is unlikely. Diogo Dalot and Ashley Young might come in as the full backs but it seems that unless Darmian plays at centre back, Lindelof and Jones will remain as they did against Newcastle. Mason Greenwood might be given his debut as a substitute as Romelu Lukaku might want to continue his good run of form against the Championship side. Alexis Sanchez and Jesse Lingard came on as subs against Newcastle and the Chilean marked his return with an assist to Rashford's sealing goal. Both of whom could start and get back in the goals against Jose Manuel Gomes' struggling side. 

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Could Mason Greenwood finally get his debut?
Image from Twitter
Leandro Bacuna and former Red Devil Tyler Blackett are suspended after receiving red cards against Millwall but John O'Shea could make an appearance against his former club of 10 years. Liam Moore and Chris Gunter are also available and could operate in a back three as a way of suppressing the United attacking play. Paul McShane, Saeid Ezatolahi and Jordan Obita remain injured and will not feature. Reading are struggling in 23rd place in the Championship with a meagre 20 points after 26 games and could prioritise the league to prevent relegation and so could rest some key players and take the hit. 

I expect nothing other than a sumptuous victory for Manchester United and would love to see Sanchez and Lukaku getting to their best and scoring. Mason Greenwood and Angel Gomes could be given chances to shine and that would be excellent as well. Players like Shaw, Martial, Pogba, De Gea and Rashford will probably get a deserved rest and the Reds will go marching on to the fourth round of the FA Cup. 

Predicted Lineup: Romero, Dalot, Jones, Lindelof, Young (c), Fellaini, Fred, Pereira, Lingard, Alexis, Lukaku

PREDICTED SCORE: 5-0 to United

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