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As it happenedended1483817696

Preston vs Arsenal as it happened: Olivier Giroud's late winner sends Gunners through

All the latest action as the Premier League sides enter the FA Cup

Joe Miles
Saturday 07 January 2017 11:56 GMT
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Olivier Giroud applied a tight finish to see Arsenal past a hard-working Preston side
Olivier Giroud applied a tight finish to see Arsenal past a hard-working Preston side (Getty)

Saturday sees the return of the FA Cup third round, with 25 ties to be played today, starting with Manchester United vs Reading at Old Trafford.

Jaap Stam returns to his former club for the first time since he was abruptly sold by Sir Alex Ferguson in 2001 following revelations in his autobiography.

Jose Mourinho is expected to name a much-changed team for the tie, as is Arsene Wenger for when Arsenal face Preston at Deepdale in the 5.30pm kick off.

Other stand-out ties include Everton vs Leicester City, Hull vs Swansea and non-league Sutton United at home to AFC Wimbledon.

Follow the live blog below…

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Friday's FA Cup results:

West Ham United 0 Manchester City 5

Saturday’s FA Cup fixtures (all 3pm kick offs unless stated otherwise):

Manchester United v Reading (12.30pm kick off)

Accrington Stanley v Luton Town

Barrow v Rochdale

Birmingham City v Newcastle United

Blackpool v Barnsley

Bolton Wanderers v Crystal Palace

Brentford v Eastleigh

Brighton & Hove Albion v Milton Keynes Dons

Bristol City v Fleetwood Town

Everton v Leicester City

Huddersfield Town v Port Vale

Hull City v Swansea City

Ipswich Town v Lincoln City

Millwall v Bournemouth

Norwich City v Southampton

Queens Park Rangers v Blackburn Rovers

Rotherham United v Oxford United

Stoke City v Wolverhampton Wanderers

Sunderland v Burnley

Sutton United v AFC Wimbledon

Watford v Burton Albion

West Bromwich Albion v Derby County

Wigan Athletic v Nottingham Forest

Wycombe Wanderers v Stourbridge

Preston North End v Arsenal (5.30pm kick off)

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We edge close to the kick-off at Old Trafford - just 10 minutes to wait now.

There is an air of optimism about this fixture that comes with any FA Cup clash, let alone one with such history. The 'anything can happen' nature of the Cup has only ignited Stam's passion to provide United's early exit from the competition. If anyone can do it, it's going to be him...

Joe Miles7 January 2017 12:18
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The players are lining up in the tunnel now. The pressure is on.

Stay tuned for live minute-by-minute updates of today's game. You do not want to miss this one.

Joe Miles7 January 2017 12:26
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The visitors kick off to begin the proceedings at Old Trafford. 

Let's go!

Joe Miles7 January 2017 12:30
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1 MIN

Just moments from kick-off, Rashford picks up the ball in the middle of the park and charges towards the Reading goal. He pulls the trigger from distance but it goes just wide, nonetheless Al-Habsi looked although he had it covered.

Joe Miles7 January 2017 12:32
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4 MINS

United appear to have asserted early dominance, with Stam's men under threat from the off. The visitors have a very possession based approach to winning games, so they will need to break down the United attacks and work the ball out from the back. 

Joe Miles7 January 2017 12:34
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6 MINS

GOAL

MANCHESTER UNITED 1 - 0 READING 

Rooney has just broke the deadlock and made United history at the same time. He has equalled United legend, Sir Bobby Charlton's goal scoring record with 249 goals. 

The goal begins with Martial beating his man on the left wing with a clever step-over and then he passes it to Mata, who guides it on to Rooney. The skipper sticks his leg out and slots it past Al-Habsi from close range. 

Joe Miles7 January 2017 12:39
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9 MINS

Reading are left with a huge mountain to climb in the early stages of this fixture. The visitors are under constant pressure and will need to step it up a gear if they want to make any sort of impact on the game.

The goal appears to have injected Mourinho's men with energy, as they continue to charge towards the Reading goal. The ball gets pulled back to Carrick on the edge of the box, but to the relief of the travelling fans, he is unable to pull the trigger. 

Joe Miles7 January 2017 12:41
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12 MINS

It's all being played in Reading's half at the moment, with the United defence and Romero unneeded so far.

A United attack is lead by Mata, who bombs down the left flank and then the goes into the path of Martial. However, the Frenchman attempts a chip over the Reading keeper, but it's easily collected by Al-Habsi. It looks although this could be a long day at the office for the 35-year-old goalkeeper.

Joe Miles7 January 2017 12:44
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15 MINS

GOAL 

MANCHESTER UNITED 2 - 0 READING

Martial has doubled United's tally, as the home side continue to exploit the obvious weaknesses in the visitors defence.

The ball is played up to Martial who does a quick one-two with Rooney and then the Frenchman marches forward and slots the ball calmly past into the Reading net from inside of the box. It looks too easy for Mourinho's men. 

Joe Miles7 January 2017 12:47
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18 MINS

The Reading players appear hesitant to tackle the United forwards, which could lead to an avalanche of goals for the home side if Stam's men fail to react to this two-goal deficit. 

Substitution: An injured Rojo is replaced by Jones.

Joe Miles7 January 2017 12:49

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