Man Utd vs Reading Preview | United Trio Miss Out | Expected Line-Up | Prediction

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

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer continued his perfect start to life as caretaker manager after guiding United to a 2-0 win at Newcastle United in midweek which made it four consecutive victories for the Norwegian since replacing Jose Mourinho.

The run of results has seen United move back in to contention for a top four finish in the Premier League but it’s cup matters at hand this weekend as the Manchester giants look to book their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Solskjaer won the competition as a player during his time at Old Trafford but he’s now targetting silverware as a coach and he’ll be hoping to avoid an upset when they entertain Reading tomorrow lunchtime.

The visitors arrive in Manchester in poor form as they sit 23rd in the Championship table so new boss Jose Gomes will be desperate to secure a positive result as he looks to turn things around at the Madejski Stadium.

Team news

Solskjaer has confirmed he’ll rotate his starting eleven with a number of players set to be given a breather after playing throughout the busy festive and New Year period.

Paul Pogba is set to miss out after picking up a minor knock during the win at Newcastle following a horror-tackle from Jonjo Shelvey while Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo are also sidelined through injury.

Eric Bailly remains suspended so Matteo Darmian could partner Phil Jones in defence while Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku will get recalls after coming off the bench for Man Utd in midweek.

Marouane Fellaini is expected to pass a late fitness test to start in midfield while the likes of Diogo Dalot, Fred, Andreas Pereira and Sergio Romero are also pushing for recalls.

Reading will be without former United defender Tyler Blackett due to suspension while Leandro Bacuna also misses out.

Expected Line-up

Prediction

Man Utd 3-0 Reading: United are unbeaten in their last 16 games in all competitions against Reading and I can’t see past a routine home win tomorrow. Solskjaer has revived the club and instilled some much-needed confidence in the players, and despite making plenty of changes to his side, Manchester United will still field an eleven packed with quality. Therefore, I think the hosts will ease to a 3-0 win.