Man Utd vs Reading - Team News, Match Preview & Likely Line-Ups
FA Cup fifth-round tie - Manchester United vs Reading Monday 18th Feburary 2013 - 8PM Kick Off Venue: Old Trafford Watch: ESPN Match Preview Manchester United will host Reading in the fifth-round tie of the FA Cup this evening, with the winner set to play either Middlesbrough or Chelsea. United have already defeated Premier League sides West Ham United and Fulham on their way to this round and are no doubt their favorites going into the tie. Reading have been in great form in the cup scoring a combined seven goals in their victories over Crawley Town and Sheffield United. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is set to rest several of his key players, with Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick all looking likely to sit out of the tie, with the second leg Champions League match against Real Madrid lurking around the corner. Reading have been in great form in their last six games, winning four and being held to a 2-2 draw with Chelsea. Sir Alex Ferguson told the BBC:
I will make some changes but I don't think the incentive to get to the quarter-final is lost on any of the players. Whatever side I pick we're expected to qualifyThe last time these two met United managed a 4-3 away win at the Madejski Stadium. Team News Javier Hernandez, Ashely Young, Antonio Valencia and Anderson are all likely to feature in the match. Paul Scholes remains out with a knee injury and with Darren Fletcher out of the remainder of the season, Anderson and Tom Cleverly will no doubt start this game. Reading will look to play a strong team with Pavel Pogrebnyak set to start upfront along side former Sheffield United player Nick Blackman. Its unclear whether Adam Le Fondre and Noel Hunt will begin the game, with both players returning from injury. Reading are without Alex McCarthy (Shoulder) and Jason Roberts (Hip). Likely Line-Ups Manchester United: Lindegaard; Smalling, Evans, Vidic, Buttner; Valencia, Anderson, Cleverley, Young; Welbeck, Hernandez. Reading: Federici; Kelly, Pearce, Mariappa, Harte; Kebe, Akpan, Leigertwood, McAnuff, Blackman; Pogrebnyak.