February 18, 2013 8:00 PM GMT
Old Trafford — Manchester
Referee: A. Marriner
Attendance: 75213
Manchester United - Reading Preview: Royals hoping to progess past the FA Cup fifth round for only the third time ever
Standing in the way of Brian McDermott's side are Sir Alex Ferguson's Red Devils, and the hosts have only lost two of their last 19 home matches in this competition
By Ryan Benson
| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
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MANCHESTER UNITED
Lindegaard Rafael, Smalling, Vidic, Buttner Nani, Anderson, Cleverley, Young Rooney, Hernandez |
READING
Federici Kelly, Morrison, Mariappa, Harte Leigertwood Kebe, Tabb, McAnuff, Robson-Kanu Pogrebnyak |
Following Manchester United's battling 1-1 draw against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night, Sir Alex Ferguson will most likely introduce some fresh faces when Reading visit on Monday.
Darren Fletcher is the only player definitely ruled out due to his bowel illness, while Paul Scholes is still a few weeks away from a return after suffering a knee problem.
Should Sir Alex decide to rest players, the likes of Alexander Buttner, Nani, Anderson and Ashley Young could all start, and Nemanja Vidic should return following his rest on Wednesday night.
While United were giving their all in Madrid, Brian McDermott took his side to Dubai for a warm-weather training camp and he will have the majority of his squad available at Old Trafford.
Striker Jason Roberts (knee) remains a few weeks from a return to the Reading line-up meaning Pavel Pogrebnyak may retain his place in attack with Adam Le Fondre available from the bench.
Reading's only other definite absentee is goalkeeper Alex McCarthy (shoulder) and he looks set to miss another couple of months' worth of action.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
Manchester United have emerged victorious in 15 of their last 19 FA Cup matches at Old Trafford, losing just two.
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Seven goals were scored in the first 35 minutes when the two sides met at the Madejski Stadium earlier this season.
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United have won the FA Cup on each previous occasion that they have defeated Fulham in the fourth round (1999 and 2004).
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The Red Devils' last loss to Reading came in this competition back in 1927.
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In his last seven Reading appearances, Le Fondre (pictured right) has seven goals.
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The Royals have only ever been past the fifth round twice.
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Their record against sides from the same division in the FA Cup is very poor having won one of 12 matches.
- Reading are 11/2 to knock Manchester United out of the FA Cup and qualify for the next round with bet365.
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
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Manchester United 3-0 Reading
- 24.95 %
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Manchester United 3-1 Reading
- 12.85 %
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Manchester United 2-0 Reading
- 12.76 %
| Premier League (EPL) | 16 Mar 2013 | Manchester United 1 - Reading 0 | |
| FA Cup (FA) | 18 Feb 2013 | Manchester United 2 - Reading 1 | |
| Premier League (EPL) | 1 Dec 2012 | Reading 3 - Manchester United 4 |
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| 19 May 2013 | West Bromwich Albion 5 - Manchester United 5 | EPL |
| 12 May 2013 | Manchester United 2 - Swansea City 1 | EPL |
| 5 May 2013 | Manchester United 0 - Chelsea FC 1 | EPL |
| 28 Apr 2013 | Arsenal FC 1 - Manchester United 1 | EPL |
| 22 Apr 2013 | Manchester United 3 - Aston Villa 0 | EPL |
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| 19 May 2013 | West Ham 4 - Reading 2 | EPL |
| 14 May 2013 | Reading 0 - Manchester City 2 | EPL |
| 4 May 2013 | Fulham 2 - Reading 4 | EPL |
| 28 Apr 2013 | Reading 0 - QPR 0 | EPL |
| 20 Apr 2013 | Norwich City 2 - Reading 1 | EPL |
| 1 | David de Gea | Goalkeeper |
| 28 | Alexander Büttner | Defender |
| 12 | Chris Smalling | Defender |
| 15 | Nemanja Vidic | Defender |
| 4 | Phil Jones | Defender |
| 7 | Antonio Valencia | Midfielder |
| 18 | Ashley Young | Midfielder |
| 8 | Anderson | Midfielder |
| 23 | Tom Cleverley | Midfielder |
| 19 | Danny Welbeck | Striker |
| 14 | Chicharito | Striker |
| 13 | Anders Lindegaard | Goalkeeper |
| 5 | Rio Ferdinand | Defender |
| 16 | Michael Carrick | Midfielder |
| 17 | Nani | Midfielder |
| 11 | Ryan Giggs | Midfielder |
| 20 | Robin van Persie | Striker |
| 26 | Shinji Kagawa | Midfielder |
| 1 | Adam Federici | Goalkeeper |
| 23 | Adrian Mariappa | Defender |
| 3 | Nicky Shorey | Defender |
| 2 | Stephen Kelly | Defender |
| 15 | Sean Morrison | Defender |
| 12 | Garath McCleary | Midfielder |
| 20 | Jem Karacan | Midfielder |
| 11 | Jobi McAnuff | Midfielder |
| 8 | Mikele Leigertwood | Defender |
| 9 | Adam Le Fondre | Striker |
| 10 | Noel Hunt | Striker |
| 31 | Mikkel Andersen | Goalkeeper |
| 26 | Alex Pearce | Defender |
| 2 | Chris Gunter | Defender |
| 3 | Daniel Carrico | Defender |
| 35 | Danny Guthrie | Midfielder |
| 19 | Hal Robson-Kanu | Midfielder |
| 29 | Pavel Pogrebnyak | Striker |
| Nani | |
| Position: | Midfielder |
| Squad Number: | 17 |
| Games | Goals | YC | RC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
The Portugal international has found it difficult to nail down a regular place in the United team this season, with injuries dogging him throughout.
However, when he has been given a chance he has rarely lived up to expectations and is expected by many to leave the club in the summer. If he wants to change that suspected destiny, he must begin to find form and soon.
| Adrian Mariappa | |
| Position: | Defender |
| Squad Number: | 23 |
| Games | Goals | YC | RC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
United's record at Old Trafford needs no introduction and after scoring four goals against Fulham in the last round, if Reading are to stand even the slightest chance of producing an upset then their defence will have to be at their top of their game and that includes Mariappa.
The Jamaican's pace could be a valuable asset should Javier Hernandez start as expected, with the Mexican always looking for passes in behind the back line. He will also be looking to prevent United adding to an impressive number of 17 headed goals so far this season, too.
Even if United name a significantly weakened side on Monday, they should still have way too much for the visitors. Everything points to a home win, and any other result would be a huge shock given the firepower available to the Red Devils.
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
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Danny Hylton Striker Aldershot |
8 | 0 |
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Carlos Tévez Striker Manchester City |
5 | 0 |
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Scott Rendell Striker Luton Town |
4 | 1 |
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Marvin Sordell Striker Bolton |
4 | 1 |
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Demba Ba Striker Chelsea |
4 | 0 |
