Manchester United v Reading predictions: Rock-solid Red Devils can stay on the trophy trail

Where to watch

ITV4, 8pm Saturday

Best bet

Manchester United to win to nil
1pt 4-5 BoyleSports

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Team news

Manchester United
Donny van de Beek, Diogo Dalot and Anthony Martial remain sidelined.

Reading
Naby Sarr, Sam Hutchinson, Andy Carroll and Liam Moore are out but Kelvin Abrefa could return to the squad.

Match preview

Manchester United have got one foot in the EFL Cup final after Wednesday's 3-0 success at Nottingham Forest in the semi-final first leg and they should register an equally convincing victory over Reading in the FA Cup fourth round.

The trip to Old Trafford has been described as a "free hit" by Reading attacker Thomas Ince, who has been their outstanding player this season with six Championship goals and three assists.

However, the Royals' chances of smashing the ball out of the park will be very slim unless they improve massively on their dire showing in last Saturday's 4-0 loss at struggling Stoke.

Reading have been in the top half of the Championship for much of the season, which is a decent effort bearing in mind that they have operated under transfer restrictions limiting them to loans and free transfers since July 2021.

However, the Royals slipped to 14th after taking just two points from their last four matches and their focus for the rest of the season is to steer well clear of the relegation zone.

The Berkshire outfit were 2-0 winners at home to injury-ravaged Watford in the FA Cup third round, setting them up for a money-spinning trip to Old Trafford and a special occasion for their manager Paul Ince, who won the FA Cup twice with the Red Devils during his playing days.

Ince says he has noticed an uptick in energy levels at the training ground but his options are limited by injuries to experienced quartet Sam Hutchinson, Naby Sarr, Liam Moore and Andy Carroll.

Reading must try to stay in the game for as long as possible but they have been slow starters on numerous occasions this term, conceding the first goal on each of their last six road trips, and if Ince's side fall behind at United they may struggle to find a way back.

United's revival under Erik ten Hag has been based on rock-solid home performances. They have won ten on the bounce at the Theatre of Dreams and seven of those victories have featured clean sheets.

Ten Hag may take the opportunity to rest one or two first-team regulars and hand some minutes to a few fringe players and youngsters. However, he rarely makes wholesale changes and the key players making way are likely to be named on the bench just in case their services are required.

Irrespective of personnel, another professional performance can be expected from the men in red, who should advance with the minimum of fuss.

Key stat

Six of Manchester United's last eight victories have been accompanied by clean sheets.

Probable teams

Manchester United (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Shaw, Malacia; Fred, Eriksen; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford; Weghorst
Subs: Williams, Casemiro, Antony, Martinez, McTominay, Lindelof, Elanga

Reading (5-3-2): Lumley; Hoilett, Yiadom, Holmes, McIntyre, Rahman; Hendrick, Loum, Fornah; Ince, Meite
Subs: Joao, Mbengue, Dann, Guiness-Walker, Long, Abrefa, Craig

Inside info

Manchester United

Penalty taker Marcus Rashford
Assist ace Christian Eriksen
Set-piece aerial threat Wout Weghorst
Card magnet Fred

Reading

Penalty taker Yakou Meite
Assist ace Thomas Ince
Set-piece aerial threat Tom McIntyre
Card magnet Mamadou Loum

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