FA Cup Third Round
Result: Manchester United 2-0 Reading
Date: 05 January 2019
Venue: Old Trafford
Manchester United maintained their 100 percent record under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after defeating Reading 2-0 to advance to the FA Cup fourth round.
Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez returned to the line-up, while Paul Pogba, David de Gea, Nemanja Matic and Luke Shaw were given a rest, while former Ajax Cape Town goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola started for the visitors.
The hosts enjoyed a lively start to the encounter, but they were unable to carve out a serious opening in the early stages of the first half.
However, the Reds were awarded a penalty on 20 minutes after the referee had consulted with the Video Assistant Referee(VAR). Juan Mata, who won the penalty, stepped up to convert and hand his side the lead.
Reading did manage a couple forays into the final third, but they were let down by their decision-making on both occasions.
The lead was eventually doubled on the stroke of halftime as Sanchez played in Lukaku, who rounded Jaakkola before slotting into an empty net.
The second half got off to a lively start, as Reading's Sone Aluko forced goalkeeper Sergio Romero into a fine save just moments before Lukaku had an effort block.
Solskjaer then opted for a double change after the hour mark as Marouane Fellaini and Tahith Chong were introduced, with the latter making his first team debut.
Reading managed to carve out another opening after 71 minutes wen Ashley Young lost possession, however Romero came out tops to deny Aluko once again.
The final stages of the second half failed to provide to any clear-cut openings as the Red Devils ran out comfortable winners to advance to the next round.
