Manchester United broke the resistance of Championship side Reading to book their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup, with Casemiro setting them on their way as the opponents ended with 10 men.
United eliminated Reading from the competition in 2017 and 2019, and were heavy pre-match favourites to repeat the trick. That was especially true once manager Erik ten Hag had named a strong XI to face their second-tier opponents.
It wasn’t all straightforward, though, and there were nearly 55 minutes on the clock when Casemiro lifted the ball over Joe Lumley to open the scoring. The Brazilian’s deflected effort made it two just moments later, and Fred added a third after the visitors’ Andy Carroll saw red for two bookable offences, with Paul Ince’s side pulling one back as United rung the changes.
Christian Eriksen threatened early for the hosts, sending a shot whistling past Joe Lumley’s far post. The Dane also saw Reading bodies throw themselves in the way of his effort as he looked to follow up a Marcus Rashford free-kick.
Bruno Fernandes went close just before the hour mark as United continued to create without threatening too much. The hosts had the ball in the net, with Marcus Rashford turning a Wout Weghorst header over the line, but the goal was ruled out for offside against the Dutch striker and United were almost punished against the run of play when Junior Hoilett forced a save from David de Gea on the stroke of half-time.
United didn’t have long to wait for a breakthrough in the second half, though, with Casemiro’s quickfire double putting the game out of the visitors’ reach. The visitors were a man down by the time Fred’s flick made it three, and Amadou Mbengue’s consolation was too little’ too late.
1. Casemiro the unlikely goal hero
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You have to go back to January 2020 for the last time Casemiro scored twice in the same match. On that occasion, he was playing for Real Madrid against Sevilla, and his double – either side of a Luuk de Jong equaliser – gave Los Blancos victory
The midfielder isn’t in the team for his goals, and these were only his third and fourth in England. He has a defined role, and this was just a bonus.
It was a welcome bonus, though, and the first of the two suggested United might want to get him on the ball in the box more often. This United team has goals running through the side, and it was ultimately a case of who would break the deadlock
2. A rare start for Maguire
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When Harry Maguire was left out of the starting XI for the third round victory over Everton, it prompted speculation about his future. The England centre-back returned for the visit of the Royals, though, with Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane both given a rest.
The prospect of facing Andy Carroll could have been a daunting one. The ex-England striker isn’t the player he once was, though, and caused Maguire few problems.
“He is training very well, training very dominant,” Ten Hag said before the game. “And that is what I want to see from him. He is a leader and captain and I have big expectations of him.”
The one blot on Maguire’s copybook came in the final 20 minutes, with Mbengue escaping his clutches to plant a free header beyond De Gea. It was another first-team run-out though, and the former Leicester man will hope the all-round performance reminded Ten Hag of his value.
3. Antony showing Sancho the way
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In the lead-up to the game, Erik ten Hag suggested Jadon Sancho is getting closer to a return. The England international has been unavailable for first-team duties since before the World Cup, with the manager insisting he will not rush him back.
If and when Sancho does return to the fold, one man whose minutes could be under threat is Antony. The summer signing played like a man aware he needed to show up after a mixed few weeks, and looked for the ball at every opportunity.
A highlight came just after the half-hour mark, when the Brazilian cut in from the right and fed Bruno Fernandes, only for the midfielder to drag his shot wide. It got even better after the break, though, with another perfectly-weighted ball freeing Casemiro to break the deadlock.
4. Fast-starting Eriksen
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While Christian Eriksen’s quality was self-evident before he moved to Old Trafford, it wasn’t immediately clear how prominent a role the Dane would be allowed to play. As it turns out, he has been involved a similar amount to his five months at former club Brentford, and United have benefited.
While his team-mates started slowly, Eriksen attempted to take the game to the visitors. Two early efforts reminded Reading of the quality they were facing, and ensured the home side had something to build on by the time the rest of the attack got into gear.
Eriksen ended up making way early, with Fred coming off the bench to replace him and ultimately scoring United’s third. Ten Hag may want to manage the former Spurs man’s minutes, but he showed once again how he can offer what others can’t.
5. Lumley can’t repeat history
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Joe Lumley had fond memories of facing Manchester United before this game, having been between the sticks for Middlesbrough when they knocked the Premier League side out of last year’s competition.
The former QPR keeper needed to be alert early on to parry Rashford’s free-kick, and was quick off his line on other occasions. He got lucky with the disallowed goal, though, after he was slow to Rashford’s header and saved by VAR.
History wasn’t going to repeat itself this time, though, and the keeper may be disappointed in himself for failing to get near Casemiro’s second. Lumley made way for Dean Bouzanis late on, safe in the knowledge that he wouldn’t be responsible for another giant-killing.
