Man Utd.

3.04

• 
  128

  11

  3.00

  David de Gea

  The kind of game that puts kids off becoming goalkeepers. Spent the night watching on with little to do.

• 
  227

  11

  4.00

  Rio Ferdinand Top of the Match

  Looked like Baresi as he ran the ball out from the back to set up Rooney's goal. That came after a sweeping pass that Scholes would have been proud of. Showed just why Hodgson recalled him for England

• 
  63

  55

  2.50

  Chris Smalling

  Left looking silly when he failed to nick a pass to McCleary that saw the winger run on to set up the best chance of the half for Robson-Kanu.

• 
  142

  15

  3.00

  Nemanja Vidic

  Got away with murder when pushing Mariappa to the floor in the box but was otherwise unbeatable in the air - not that he needed to reach the height of a Cheltenham fence to outjump Hunt.

• 
  125

  18

  3.00

  Alexander Büttner

  Impressive stint standing in for Evra at left-back. Powerful in the air and intelligent use of the ball. Does not possess the speed to get up and down the line as well as Evra but solid in his defensive work.

• 
  91

  38

  3.00

  Anderson

  One burst up field apart, he was disciplined in his role sat in front of the back four. He does not offer the passing range of Carrick though and United missed someone in the middle to dictate the game.

• 
  125

  14

  3.00

  Ryan Giggs

  A sublime turn and burst of speed was reminiscent of the Giggs of old, but it was the brilliant pass in behind the Reading defence that Young nearly scored from that really caught the eye.

• 
  87

  49

  3.50

  Ashley Young

  Drilled an early chance wide and came to life after a first half spent dozing on the wing. His quick feet left Kelly twisted up in knots at times, although his final ball still needs to improve.

• 
  144

  20

  3.00

  Wayne Rooney

  Scored his seventh goal in eight games at Old Trafford but was on the periphery of the game otherwise. Still no signs that is he returning to world-class form, although a late fizzer nearly earned him a second goal.

• 
  94

  48

  3.00

  Danny Welbeck

  Big, powerful and quick, Welbeck really has everything a striker would want in his locker apart from the most important aspect - finishing ability.

• 
  93

  65

  2.50

  Robin van Persie

  A quiet night for the Dutchman. Has not scored in seven games and what was looking like a blip is starting to turn into a drought. One shot that went out for a throw summed up his current form.

Substitutions

• 
  139

  11

  3.50

  Michael Carrick

  United instantly looked more composed the minute he came on as a sub.

• 
  124

  11

  2.50

  Shinji Kagawa

  Was given a late run to stretch his legs.

Reading

2.86

• 
  11

  10

  3.00

  Stuart Taylor

  Unlucky with the goal as a big deflection left him with no chance of saving his side. Did well earlier to dash off his line and head Giggs' superb pass away as Young closed in and stopped Giggs netting at the death.

• 
  6

  8

  3.00

  Nicky Shorey

  With United deciding to play without a right-sided attacker, the defender had an easy night and was guilty of not using the space in front of him to kick-start Reading attacks.

• 
  5

  8

  3.00

  Alex Pearce

  Provided an unwanted assist for Rooney's goal when the striker's shot cannoned off his heel and looped home.

• 
  13

  5

  3.50

  Adrian Mariappa

  Rightly screamed for a penalty when shoved over in the United box by Vidic. Can be pleased with his night's work at the back ensured Van Persie's barren run in front of goal continued..

• 
  3

  16

  2.50

  Stephen Kelly

  The only impact he made was on Young's shins with a lunging challenge that saw him booked.

• 
  6

  9

  3.00

  Jem Karacan

  Excellent covering tackle denied Buttner a shooting chance. Patrolled the midfield with plenty of purpose and denied Giggs the space to play. Did embarrass himself by producing an air-kick late on.

• 
  4

  9

  2.50

  Mikele Leigertwood

  Was effective in cutting off the supply line into the feet of Van Persie but was troubled when United ran at him from deep, with Ferdinand and Welbeck both skipping past him with ease.

• 
  3

  24

  2.00

  Jobi McAnuff Flop of the Match

  Can't fault him for taking his role as captain seriously. Plenty of shouting and clapping his hands. If he had just concentrated on using his feet Reading would have been better off. Barely touched the ball.

• 
  7

  10

  4.00

  Garath McCleary

  A maverick of a player but was on-song as he tormented Smalling with his trickery and pace down the left flank. Reading's most productive outlet.

• 
  8

  8

  3.00

  Hal Robson-Kanu

  Asked to come from deep and support Hunt, did his job well and nearly capped it with a goal by bending an effort inches past De Gea's post.

• 
  3

  15

  3.00

  Noel Hunt

  The mission he chose to accept was finding a way past United's defence on his own with little support - it was impossible.

Substitutions

• 
  2

  12

  2.50

  Sean Morrison

  Thrown on at the death to attack a corner but headed over.

• 
  4

  11

  2.50

  Adam Le Fondre

  Mr Goals would loved to have scored against the club he played for as a kid but never got a sniff.

• 
  2

  13

  2.50

  Nick Blackman

  Thrown on in hoping of beefing up Reading's attack but the plan failed.