Man Utd Team News: 5 Players Could Miss Out But OGS Confirms 2 Starters vs Reading

Manchester United will look to avoid an upset when they take on Reading in the 3rd round of the FA Cup at Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime. 

Ahead of the game, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference this morning and he’s offered a full team news update including the latest on Paul Pogba, Chris Smalling, Marouane Fellaini and Marcos Rojo.

Pogba produced another excellent display during the 2-0 win at Newcastle United in midweek but the Frenchman picked up a knock in the second half after being on the wrong end of a horror challenge from Jonjo Shelvey. Solskjaer says Pogba is now a major doubt to take on Reading tomorrow and it seems unlikely United will risk the midfielder in the FA Cup clash.

Fellaini is also a doubt this weekend after missing the trip to St James’ Park on Wednesday night with a knock but Solskjaer is hopeful the Belgian international will come through today’s training session to put himself in contention tomorrow.

However, one player certain to miss out once again is Smalling as the defender is still nursing a foot injury that’s hampered him in recent weeks while Solskjaer also confirmed that Rojo remains unavailable due to an unspecified knock.

With Eric Bailly serving the second game of his three-match ban following his sending off against Bournemouth last weekend, Man Utd have limited options to rotate in defence but Solskjaer has confirmed he plans to make some changes to his starting eleven.

The United boss has revealed Romelu Lukaku will be recalled up front after scoring off the bench in the last two games while Alexis Sanchez will also start against Reading after making his injury comeback off the bench in midweek.

Solskjaer told ManUtd.com:

“Rojo [and] Smalling – they’re out. I’m not sure if Paul [Pogba] is going to be ready for this one. He got a knock against Newcastle and hopefully Fellaini will get through the training session today and then we’re more or less a full squad. There’ll be a few changes and they’ll get a chance. Some of them are itching now to play, of course. Get Lukaku a start, get Sanchez a start. That’s important for them, because they need more game time.”

“[There are] no injuries to be concerned about. Obviously it was Wednesday night [against Newcastle] and it’s Saturday morning [against Reading] so there will be a few changes. Many of them have played four games on the bounce and are feeling the Christmas period so there might be a couple of changes, or maybe a few more, but we’re ready for Reading.

“Definitely, players will get the chance. When they’re here, they’re good enough to play for Man United and you trust them, so I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”

United head in to tomorrow’s game off the back of four consecutive Premier League victories so Solskjaer will be looking to extend his excellent start to life as caretaker manager by beating Reading and booking their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.