Last year, Middlesbrough came to Old Trafford and eliminated a low-confidence Premier League team from the fourth round of the FA Cup, but things have changed since then, as Reading discovered. United’s players and fans have faith in what is occurring on the field under Erik Ten Hag. No one was concerned when opportunities were squandered in the first half because they knew more would follow.
On a rainy Saturday in Manchester, Antony twisted and turned Reading defenders all night, Casemiro channeled his inner Ronaldinho, and Fred scored with a flick few would have believed he was capable of previous to this season. Andy Carroll, a former Liverpool striker, was sent out for two bookable offenses after a night of amateurish challenges, much to the delight of United’s fans.
Ten Hag left little to chance by selecting a formidable lineup for Reading manager Paul Ince’s Old Trafford comeback. The Dutchman understands the significance of capturing a trophy in his first season as manager. And the FA Cup is the appropriate tournament.
United appeared intent on avoiding hiccups against a Stoke team that had lost 4-0 in their most recent match. United came into sight of the Reading goal on several occasions, but Joe Lumley prevented them from breaking through.
The goalkeeper punched away a Marcus Rashford free-kick, and Christian Eriksen’s rebound attempt was stopped. But Reading generally escaped the first quarter unscathed.
Manchester United win with Casemiro class. Reading
United possessed the ball for 84% of the first half and attempted 11 attempts, but none were on target. Reading felt doomed by a thousand opportunities, and Antony was eager to create them all.
In the end, the thirteenth attempt passed the finish line, but without any luck. Tom Holmes’ interception caused Wout Weghorst, making his home debut, to cross the ball for Marcus Rashford to score. Weghorst was ruled to be offside for Casemiro’s initial through ball. Even though he was neither the intended target nor made contact with the pass.
Reading should have taken the lead at halftime, but David De Gea blocked Junior Hoilett’s shot after Tyrell Malacia took too long to clear a Baba Rahman cross from the left, allowing Junior Hoilett to rush in and shoot.
United did not loosen up after halftime, as they resumed where they left off, with Antony providing the assist he had been anticipating all night by slipping the ball through for his marauding teammate Casemiro to dink over Joe Lumley.
Soon thereafter, the Brazilian doubled his tally with a 30-yard curling strike that fooled the goalkeeper by deflecting off Holmes’s head and landing perfectly in the corner. Who needs number nine when number eighteen is twice as good?
Carroll was dismissed by Casemiro following a foolish lunge at the Brazilian shortly after his first booking. The referee was compelled to brandish the red card. Adding insult to injury, Reading’s No. 2 forgot where the tunnel was and strolled in the wrong direction until he was respectfully directed to the showers.
Fred’s flick made things worse for Reading’s ten men, but Amadou Mbengue’s flick from a corner made things slightly better. But everyone knew it was not the beginning of a comeback.
