Manchester United vs Reading live: What time does it start, what TV channel is it on, where can I watch it?
A look ahead to the FA Cup tie at Old Trafford
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.
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It’s a big game for…
Marcus Rashford: United youngster Rashford has made the majority of his appearances off the bench recently and he will be hoping to be given the chance from the beginning here. He made an instant impact to set up Juan Mata’s opener against West Ham in the last game. After jinking his way down the left-wing, he laid it on a plate for the Spaniard. Whether Mourinho believes he merits a start for that performance remains to be seen.
Best stat…
1: Of the two teams’ 18 meetings, Reading have only won one against United – nearly 70 years ago and also an FA Cup tie. On January 17th 1927, Reading celebrated a 2-1 victory.
Remember when…
Back in 2012, in a topsy-turvy Premier League match, Manchester United beat Reading 4-3 at the Madejski. Hal Robson-Kanu put the hosts in front but strikes from Anderson and Wayne Rooney saw United take a 2-1 lead. Adam Le Fondre and Sean Morrison put the Royals back in front, but Rooney got his second to level proceedings once more. Robin Van Persie then gave the visitors the lead before the break and ultimately handed the three points to United.
Player to watch…
Yann Kermorgant: The 35-year-old forward has scored seven goals in 21 matches this term and has three in his last two games. This includes two late strikes against Bristol City to turn the game on its head last time out. The veteran French striker will be looking to use his flair to weave through the gaps in the United defence, who will have to keep an eye on him.
Past three meetings…
Manchester United 1 (Rooney) Reading 0, Premier League, March 2013
Manchester United 2 (Hernandez, Nani) Reading 1 (McAnuff), FA Cup, February 2013
Reading 3 (Robson-Kanu, Le Fondre, Morrison) Manchester United 4 (Anderson, Rooney 2, van Persie), Premier League, December 2012
Form guide…
MANCHESTER UNITED: WWWWWW
READING: LWLWWW
Vital information…
KICK-OFF TIME: 12:30,Saturday 7th January
TV: Live on BT Sport 2
Odds…
MANCHESTER UNITED TO WIN: 1/5
READING TO WIN: 14/1
DRAW: 11/2
(Odds provided by Betfair)
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...
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.
The visitors kick off to begin the proceedings at Old Trafford.
Let's go!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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