Casemiro bagged a brace as Manchester United advanced to the next round of the FA Cup with a 3-1 win over Reading on Saturday night.
FA Cup
Result: Manchester United 3-1 Reading
Date: 28 January 2023
Venue: Old Trafford
Man United made only one change to the side that beat Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg, as Harry Maguire returned to captain the side in place of Lisandro Martinez.
United were on the front foot early on and Rashford had a good chance on 14 minutes but had a shot in the box repelled by goalkeeper Joe Lumley.
Erik ten Hag's charges threw everything at Reading, who were defending deep and Rashford found the back of the net ten minutes before the break but his goal was disallowed by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) for offside in the build-up.
With the game on the balance, United almost went behind on the stroke of half-time after a miscued clearance by Tyrell Malacia gifted Reading a big scoring opportunity but they fluffed their chance.
United had a change of fortunes from their early dominance in the second stanza, as Casemiro eventually broke the deadlock ten minutes in with a dink over Lumley in the box after a through ball by Antony.
The Red Devils did not allow the visitors to regroup with a high press and Casemiro doubled their lead and got his brace just before the hour-mark with a curling shot that skimmed past Lumley.
Reading's chances of a come back suffered a blow after they were reduced to ten men on 65 minutes after Andy Carroll received a second booking for a foul on Casemiro and was sent off.
United capitalised on their numerical advantage immediately thereafter, as Fred, who had just come on, added the third goal with a cheeky back-heel at the near post from a curling cross by Fernandes.
The Royals, however, found a consolation goal with 18 minutes left, as Amadou Mbengue pulled one goal back with a close-range header from a corner situation.
After some good fighting spirit from Paul Ince's men, United regained control in the dying minutes and Antony should have made it 4-0 after he received a good pass unmarked in the box but lost his footing as he was about to pull the trigger.
In the end, the Red Devils were long home and dry, as they cruised to the fifth round.
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