February 19, 2013 4:00 AM SGT
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 %
| England - Premier League (EPL) | Mar 17, 2013 | Manchester United 1 - Reading 0 | |
| England - FA Cup (FA) | Feb 19, 2013 | Manchester United 2 - Reading 1 | |
| England - Premier League (EPL) | Dec 2, 2012 | Reading 3 - Manchester United 4 |
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| May 19, 2013 | West Bromwich Albion 5 - Manchester United 5 | EPL |
| May 12, 2013 | Manchester United 2 - Swansea City 1 | EPL |
| May 5, 2013 | Manchester United 0 - Chelsea FC 1 | EPL |
| Apr 28, 2013 | Arsenal FC 1 - Manchester United 1 | EPL |
| Apr 23, 2013 | Manchester United 3 - Aston Villa 0 | EPL |
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| May 19, 2013 | West Ham United 4 - Reading 2 | EPL |
| May 15, 2013 | Reading 0 - Manchester City 2 | EPL |
| May 4, 2013 | Fulham 2 - Reading 4 | EPL |
| Apr 28, 2013 | Reading 0 - QPR 0 | EPL |
| Apr 20, 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 |
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Danny Hylton Striker Aldershot |
8 | 0 |
|
|
Carlos Tévez Striker Man City |
5 | 0 |
|
|
Scott Rendell Striker Luton Town |
4 | 1 |
|
|
Marvin Sordell Striker Bolton |
4 | 1 |
|
|
Demba Ba Striker Chelsea |
4 | 0 |
