Manchester United advanced to the Emirates FA Cup fifth round with a 3-1 victory over 10-man Reading at Old Trafford.
Brazilian midfielders Casemiro (two goals) and Fred (one goal) scored in the second half, before the Royals pulled one back when Amadou Mbengue headed in a corner.
Andy Carroll was sent off for a clumsy challenge on Casemiro midway through the second period.
Marcus Rashford appeared to have made history by becoming the first United player to score in ten consecutive matches at Old Trafford before VAR ruled him offside during the build-up.
Both teams got off to a good start, but United had the better chances in the first ten minutes. The first came when Antony nutmegged Baba Rahman on the right wing and found Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the run. The right-back crossed the ball to Wout Weghorst, but his shot was blocked by the Reading defence and went out for a corner.
Marcus Rashford won a free kick on the left side of the penalty area minutes later. Christian Eriksen stepped up and curled the ball around the Reading wall, but also past Joe Lumley’s far post.
Reading’s goal was relentlessly pursued by United. Rashford’s free kick flew straight at Lumley, who instead of clearing the ball, spilled it straight to Eriksen, who tried to find the far corner but was stopped by the Royals’ defence.
Rashford thought he had made history with 10 minutes left in the half. Rashford was on hand to head in what appeared to be the opening goal after Casemiro’s attempted cross looped up off a defender and was nodded on by Weghorst. It would have made him the first player in Manchester United history to score in ten consecutive games at Old Trafford. However, VAR determined that Weghorst was in an offside position at the start of the move, ruling out the goal.
Reading nearly scored against the run of play as the first half came to a close. Rahman found enough space to deliver a cross to winger Junior Hoilett, who attempted a first-time volley, but David De Gea’s save was perfect to deny the Championship side the lead.
United finally found the elusive breakthrough after a slow start to the second half. Eriksen played a beautiful pass to Antony on the right wing, and the Brazilian held the ball for a few seconds before spotting Casemiro’s run. The Reds’ no.18 received the pass, shrugged off a challenge from Mamadou N’Diaye, and chipped a shot over Lumley to put the game on track.
The foul that caused Christian Eriksen’s injury. No card was shown. pic.twitter.com/gkugc8FIEM
— UtdDistrict (@UtdDistrict) January 28, 2023
Moments later, the game’s first goal scorer added his second. Fernandes found substitute Fred just outside the box with a first-time pass, and his first-time pass found Casemiro, who struck the ball immediately and the shot sailed past Lumley into the back of the net to make it 2-0. Since joining United in the summer, the former Real Madrid man has scored four goals.
And it wouldn’t be the last time Casemiro appeared in the game. Andy Carroll, who was already on a yellow card, pounced on the Brazilian with a two-footed tackle. The referee immediately reached for the red card and ejected the former Liverpool and Newcastle United striker.
Soon after, United launched a counter-attack that resulted in a corner. Bruno took the ball immediately, whipped it into the area, and Fred beat Lumley at his near post with a fancy flick to put the game away.
Fred, goal!! 😍😍 #MUNREA #MUFC #FACup pic.twitter.com/UrtigX9CLi
— Aziz Ab (@azzab56) January 28, 2023
Reading did score a consolation goal with 18 minutes remaining. Tom Ince’s powerful corner found substitute Amadou Salif Mbengue, who had only just come on, and his bullet header gave the Championship side a boost as the game came to a close.
