Manchester United

2.82

• 
  74

  2

  3.00

  David de Gea

  Followed up his superb performance in Madrid with an altogether more quiet evening. Showed off his athleticism with a fine leap to his left in keeping out Le Fondre's long-distance effort but could do little to keep out McAnuff's consolation strike.

• 
  60

  4

  3.00

  Alexander Büttner

  Made his first appearance for the side since the third round FA Cup win over West Ham at Old Trafford last month but didn't take long to get into his stride. Swung a fine 21st-minute cross from the left flank and was unlucky to see Valencia fail to connect with it. Solid, if unspectacular.

• 
  20

  34

  1.50

  Chris Smalling Flop of the Match

  Never quite looked settled in the face of Le Fondre's pace, and was oddly wasteful in his distribution, much to the frustration of the Old Trafford crowd. Failed to deal with the ball over top in the build-up to McAnuff's goal to sum up a tentative, unconvincing display. Simply not good enough.

• 
  73

  7

  3.50

  Nemanja Vidic

  Typically dominant defensive performance from the Serb in the first half, in which he allowed Le Fondre and Hunt little room to maneuver but dropped off a little in the second. Still as powerful in the air as ever

• 
  27

  18

  2.00

  Phil Jones

  Dealt well with McAnuff down the channel and looked to offer an attacking threat as United countered but was let down by some sloppy passing and control. Plenty of brawn but lacking brains before going off in the 41st minute with a worrying ankle knock.

• 
  45

  12

  3.00

  Antonio Valencia

  Was forced to drop into defense after Jones' injury but did well regardless, supporting Nani well in attack. Played in the Portuguese to open the scoring with a neat squared ball as United's dominance paid off.

• 
  33

  18

  2.50

  Ashley Young

  Made his first start for the Premier League leaders since their 2-1 win over Liverpool in January and drifted in and out of proceedings. Was stunned to see Federici keep out his 10-yard effort on the 22-minute mark but frankly, he shouldn't have given the keeper a chance. Replaced by Van Persie after another underwhelming run out.

• 
  24

  31

  2.00

  Anderson

  Will need to deliver stronger performances than this to justify his calls for more frequent first-team football. Labored next to Cleverley but offered little, if any, creative spark in the center of the park.

• 
  46

  11

  3.50

  Tom Cleverley

  Combative, full of energy and a constant option for the United defenders playing out from the back. Showed impressive pace on the break and was never dealt with by Reading. A bright spark in a rather glum evening.

• 
  34

  19

  3.00

  Danny Welbeck

  Clearly riding on the crest of a wave after his heroics at the Bernabeu, the 22-year-old started brightly, forcing early blocks out of both Mariappa and Federici. Controlled the ball superbly to play in Chicharito but wasted a fine opportunity at 2-1 with a woefully poor tough.

• 
  106

  9

  3.50

  Chicharito

  Danced his way through a bulk of Reading defenders to get a 2nd-minute shot away but was denied by Mariappa. Cut a frustrated figure until, in typically clinical fashion, he just about wrapped up the win with a well-taken header on the 71st minute.

Substitutions

• 
  31

  11

  2.00

  Michael Carrick

  Replaced Anderson late on with little time to make an impact.

• 
  111

  5

  4.00

  Nani Top of the Match

  Replaced the injured Jones shortly before half time and took no time in making his presence felt. Hit the post with a rasping volley before testing Federici from distance. Deserved his goal and topped off a dominant performance to set up Chicharito's headed goal.

• 
  63

  10

  3.00

  Robin van Persie

  Brought on with 27 minutes to go and showed some wonderful touches to play in Chicharito and Welbeck as United looked to break the deadlock.

Reading

2.81

• 
  25

  1

  3.50

  Adam Federici

  A fine performance from the 28-year-old. Was forced into a sharp save down to his right to keep out Welbeck in the opening exchanges and pulled off a top class stop from Young's point-blank effort 22 minutes in to keep the scores level. Unlucky to concede two.

• 
  8

  1

  3.50

  Adrian Mariappa

  Kept out both Chicharito and Welbeck with a superb double block within the opening couple of minutes and tracked the Mexican throughout. A strong showing from the influential Jamaican.

• 
  2

  3

  2.50

  Nicky Shorey

  Was offered little protection down the flank by McAnuff and looked isolated in the face of Valencia and later Nani. Struggled when the pair doubled up down the channel.

• 
  5

  1

  3.00

  Stephen Kelly

  Worked hard in putting the hosts under pressure, relentlessly chasing down the ball along with his teammates. Inevitably tired as the match wore on but can still be pleased with his efforts. Showed no lack of willing from start to finish.

• 
  4

  1

  3.00

  Sean Morrison

  Looked to target Reading's set pieces, putting Vidic under pressure in the air and making a nuisance of himself. Played the ball out from the back nicely, linking particularly well with the mobile Le Fondre up front.

• 
  2

  4

  2.50

  Garath McCleary

  Blazed an effort from distance well over shortly before halftime with little support to call upon but was otherwise a peripheral figure out wide. Unable to test a potential weak link in Buttner.

• 
  3

  2

  2.50

  Jem Karacan

  Struggled to gain any sort of of foothold in the game as Cleverley dominated the central midfield battle. Hustled and harried with admirable intent but never really got the ball down to feet.

• 
  7

  3

  2.00

  Jobi McAnuff

  The Reading captain was frequently overrun on the left side of midfield and looked on the fringes throughout. He salvaged his evening with a well-taken goal that brought the Royals back within a goal with nine minutes to go.

• 
  2

  4

  2.50

  Mikele Leigertwood

  Replaced by Guthrie shortly after the hour mark having had little impact at the Theater of Dreams. Attempted to shield his defense from United's midfield onslaught but occasionally sat too deep, allowing the hosts too much time on the ball.

• 
  6

  2

  3.50

  Adam Le Fondre

  The Royals' top scorer this season always looked threatening for the visitors, and kept Smalling and Vidic on their toes with some tireless running. Panicked the young England defender with his pace on occasion and tested De Gea with well hit effort from distance shortly before half time.

• 
  6

  2

  3.00

  Noel Hunt

  Came into the game as the joint-leading Premier League scorer in this season's FA Cup and was a bundle of energy from the off. Picked up nasty cut to his head following a collision with Vidic. Made valuable space for Le Fondre to work in.

Substitutions

• 
  4

  1

  3.00

  Danny Guthrie

  Replaced the ineffective Leigertwood on the 63rd minute to give Reading a much-need energy boost in the middle but did little stop United dominating in midfield.

• 
  1

  2

  2.00

  Hal Robson-Kanu

  Had little impact after coming on 70 minutes in, seeing a shot blocked being his only contribution of note