Man Utd vs Reading Preview, Team News, Likely Line-ups & Predicted Score

Manchester United welcome managerless Reading to Old Trafford on Saturday evening looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table.

Brian McDermottot was sacked earlier in the week meaning Eamonn Dolan steps in as caretaker manager for the daunting trip to the run-away league leaders.

United currently hold a 12-point advantage over second-placed Man City and will be hoping to at least maintain that lead with their rivals facing a tricky trip to Goodison Park to play Everton in Saturday’s early kick-off.

The visitors head into the game having lost their previous four games while United have won their last five, making the home side the red-hot favourites to secure the three points this weekend.

Reading have never won at Old Trafford in their history and the odds are firmly stacked against them ending that run this weekend, but Dolan will be hoping he can inspire the Royals to only their second away win of the season with his side currently sitting second from bottom and four points from safety.

Team News

Sir Alex Ferguson is expected to make several changes to the side that drew 2-2 with Chelsea last Sunday in the FA Cup. Striker Robin van Persie is likely to be recalled to partner Wayne Rooney up front while Nemanja Vidic may also come back in to the defence.

Nani has been ruled out for 2-3 weeks with a hamstring strain and Paul Scholes remains out but Phil Jones is expected back in training next week following a month out with an ankle problem.

Reading will be without goalkeeper Adam Federici for the game due to an ankle injury meaning third-choice Stuart Taylor will step in. Jimmy Kebe is also out with a groin problem, Jason Roberts is out for the season with a hip complaint while striker Pavel Pogrebnyak misses the final game of his three-match ban.

Likely Line-ups

Predicted Score

Manchester United boast a formidable record at home this season, winning 39 from a possible 42 points so far, so Reading will have to produce something special if they’re to become only the second team to take anything away from Old Trafford this campaign. But we can’t see past a comfortable United victory on Saturday. Man Utd 4-0 Reading

What would be your starting line-up for the game and whats your score prediction? Get involved in the comments section.