Manchester United cruised to the fifth round of the FA Cup after defeating Reading FC 3-1 at Old Trafford on Saturday night.
One notable entry for the Red Devils saw captain Harry Maguire back in the line-up following the Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg win at Nottingham Forest.
It wasn’t a slow start by the host who were close to going ahead when a free-kick from Christian Eriksen flew over the wall and rolled around the far post.
Brazil international Antony tried to separate the outfits too a little later where he met possession from a pacey counter-attack and curled wide.
United thought they have gone ahead ten minutes to halftime with a point-blank header by Marcus Rashford off Wout Weghorst’s shot across goal, but it was disallowed for offside.
The Red Devils made a purposed start ten minutes in the second half and were ahead when Casemiro brought Antony’s looping ball under control before applying a deft finish.
United going ahead also led to an introduction from the substitutes bench moments apart, with Eriksen making way for Fred.
However, the second goal arrived on 58 minutes when the Casemiro attacked completed his brace with an effort from distance that took a slight deflection.
Reading experienced further misery four minutes gone after striker Andy Carroll got his marching orders for a second bookable offence following a foul on Casemiro.
The Red Devils made it three towards the last 20 minutes when Fred met a clever pass from Bruno Fernandes and applied a superb back-heel finish.
Paul Ince’s men did got a lifeline near the closing ten minutes and saw Amadou Salif Mbengue met a floated ball off a corner-kick and notched a free header past De Gea.
The Red Devils managed to run down the clock to see out the win and confirmed their last 16 ticket.
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