UNITED held off a dramatic Reading comeback at the Madejski Stadium to progress to the FA Cup quarter-finals.
The Reds blasted three goals in the first six minutes - Gabriel Heinze, Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were all on target - to set up what looked like an easy win.
However, the Royals fought back admirably and almost forced extra time. Dave Kitson pulled one back before half-time and then, with United on the rack, substitute Leroy Lita got another with eight minutes remaining.
The hosts then bombarded their opponents looking for an equaliser. The Reds were wobbling and they would have toppled had Brynjar Gunnarsson not smashed an injury-time shot against the crossbar.
Ultimately, United advanced into the last eight where they will face a trip to Middlesbrough after Gareth Southgate's men beat West Brom on penalties. However, the manner of United's victory is not likely to please manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who spent the last nervous minutes stood in his technical area, having already called on upon Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo to help them out of trouble.
Reading boss Steve Coppell had suggested Reading 'could not lose', no matter what happened against United, or in their Premiership tussle with Arsenal at the weekend.
The observation was based partly on what the Royals have already achieved this term and also on a policy of dampening down growing expectation at the Berkshire club.
Astonishing
Coppell must have felt some correction was due during an astonishing first top-flight campaign.
But he could surely never have envisaged such a defensive nightmare against his former club, who have already endured three tough encounters against Reading this term.
After six minutes, the studious home manager must have wondered whether he had sent his team out minus half his players such was the porous nature of their rearguard.
Holes appeared everywhere, while, behind a seemingly non-existent back four, keeper Adam Federici was as poor as he had been brilliant at Old Trafford 10 days ago.
Admittedly, John O'Shea was allowed to reach the byline far too easily as the Red Devils launched their first meaningful attack.
But when the Irishman's cut-back rolled across the box to Heinze 20 yards out the Argentinian's shot, though powerful, should not have troubled Federici. Instead, it slithered under his body and into the net.
It was Heinze's first goal in 18 months and worse was to follow as Saha darted beyond the home defence, collected Rio Ferdinand's long ball on his chest, then found the target with an angled drive which, again, Federici should have stopped.
Solskjaer was similarly on his own when Kieran Richardson launched an angled ball in his direction shortly afterwards. This time, the finish left Federici with little hope of keeping it out.
For five minutes afterwards, United threatened a cricket score. With Saha and Solskjaer darting this way and that, Richardson and Park Ji-Sung finding space on the flanks and Reading no threat in midfield, it hardly seemed possible the hosts would breathe fresh life into the contest.
That they did so was partly due to the industry of Sidwell, but also because of the slackness that began to appear in United's play.
Threatened
Saha was culpable on more than one occasion and Reading had already threatened long before Kitson turned home neatly at the far-post after Kevin Doyle had flicked John Oster's corner into the danger zone.
Had Edwin van der Sar, one of only three players keeping their place from the United side that defeated Fulham on Saturday, not flown across his goal to turn a Seol Ki-Hyeon effort round the post, Reading might have spent half-time harbouring realistic hopes of completing one of the most memorable FA Cup comebacks of all-time.
It hardly seemed possible the veteran Dutchman, so impressive at Craven Cottage, would be United's hero again but that was almost the case as, with his own defence struggling, he intervened time and again to prevent Reading forcing home a second.
Oster was a particular thorn in the Red Devils' side with his teasing left-wing bursts that left Wes Brown dizzy.
In the end, there was enough concern on the United bench about the threat Reading were posing for Wayne Rooney to be introduced for Saha. Given the importance of Saturday's Premiership trip to Liverpool, the substitution was presumably not in Ferguson's masterplan.
Rooney made a difference to the visitors' attack, but not to their defence and when substitute Lita nodded home Ulises de la Cruz's cross eight minutes from time, it really was game on.
Had Gunnarsson been just a bit more accurate, Reading would have taken United to an extra 30 minutes. Instead, the ball bounced out. And with it went brave Reading's FA Cup hopes.
What is your verdict on the game? Have your say.
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the result was good, you must feel sorry for reading though, they played excellent besides the first 6 minutes, extra time would have been interesting, it was a very good exciting game, both teams made for value for money.
Total and utter shambles. Darren Fletcher, NEVER AGAIN, John O'Shea, NEVER AGAIN, Kieran 'free-kick expert' Richardson, NEVER AGAIN. I know we don't like 4-5-1 but tonight it was 4-1-2. Understatement of the century from Motty, "There's not the same thread to the Utd midfield when Scholes doesn't play..." And Fergie, it's all very well going ballistic on the touchline, but you're the clown who keeps picking these clowns! I was frightening the neighbours with my screaming at Richardson. And Fletch, what's with the turning your back, LOOK AWAY! LOOK AWAY! 'challenge' for the first Reading goal. And O'Shea, why stand and watch Lita when it might be more helpful to compete for the ball. Thank God Van der Sar was playing or we'd be out...
Fantastic 6 minutes and great run out for most of the reserves but again the usual suspects KR,DF and J O'S came up seriously short.DF and JO simply can't handle a competitive, high tempo game and KR is simply useless. All three need to move on during the summer and let some of the young guns in JE etc plus one or two top class recruits such as OH.
In a cup, the performance is what matters. I am glad players like Richardson,Fletcher and O'shea played as it gives rest for our senior players. Robbo its easy to point out mistakes against these players but you choose to praise Van de Sar instead of picking out his mistakes, who I thought didn't have the best of games. The 1st goal was Rio not marking for the 2nd ball, although he was looking to attack it rather then man mark. How about Richardson's ball for Solskjaer, or O'shea's contribution for Heinze? I am sure looking at the team sheet, most on here would have predicted defeat. How about supporting the team for a change? OK they are not up to the standard of the 1st team, but nonetheless, not bad squad players and United players till the summer. Robbo surely you can see the benfits of playing these players with key players rested for the Liverpool game, or would you rather point out the negatives like most of the clueless fans on here? Fergie got it spot on!
The entire defence needs lining up and shooting (apart from maybe Heinze). Midfield was non-existent like last year. Kieran Richardson frightens me that he's a United player. Compare this lot with the Arsenal kids - now that truly is frightening!! But what did you expect? What's more worrying is the fact that this sloppiness is becoming inherent in our play at the business end of the season. We cannot continue to rely on poor football and grinding out results (owed in part to a hefty slice of luck).
I can't believe what happened today... I have to say I was very disapointed with Darren Fletcher today. I'm normally a patient person. He just seems to loose the ball so easy. I don't know whats going on in his head! At least Kiren set up ole for the goal but then he may aswell of just sat down.
Made hard work of it didn't we? Still any time you score 3 goals away from home, you shouldn't lose. (Yeah, OK, they tried). Emphasizes our lack of depth. JOS, Fletcher & Richardson just don't cut it. Still, Saha's goal was brilliantly taken ( nice ball from Rio too), Ole's was a pure class finish, and good build up to the first goal too, even though it was a bit lucky to go in. Can't wait to hear what Moaninho will say now.
This is a good Reading squad though, they don't lose many at home. Great spirit and talent, and should continue to do well in the PL this and next year. Big one coming up at Anfield, Saha & Rooney to start, with Larsson and Smitty available late on.rest are the usual suspects, first XI. We could just stuff the bindippers, we definitely will be up for it. If so, then PL is ours.
well we got off to a cracking start then it went from poor mistakes to worse,in the end i thought rooney and ronny would have to come on at some stage as if they would have got back to 3-3 they would have had to have done something special.
utd were a shambles and god if they Play a rubbish midfeild saturday against liverpool thell get hammered,liverpools midfeild is brilliant.
I just hope fergie sacks the likes of jos,df and kr they must go.
Hes best off bringing the real kids in like arsenal have and that way we could have a class of 92 all over again,untill then its not looking good.
I usually give the benefit of the doubt to Fletcher and O'Shea, but the second half was one big joke.. Fletcher and O'Shea play football like how we do at a kickabout in the park: "follow the ball".. They haven't the slightest clue about positioning whatsoever! Can't single them out though, Brown and Rio keeps feeding the ball back to the opposition and Van der Sar was unusually shakey... On the flip side, the regulars got a good rest and Saha played well so there.. Bring on Saturday!
pathetic display from the usual suspects, df, jos and kr.Despite his goal saha was also terrible. The worst thing is that i am almost 100% sure that df and jos will be at the club next year. Ill probly get abused for the next few statements but i genuinly believe them:
I dont think we are a very good team. I think we have some brilliant individuals in ronaldo, rooney, vidic, van der sar, giggs, neville, scholes and occationally evra. Beyond that i think we are distinctly average. I personally dont think any of the following are good enough for the club - saha, carrick, oshea, fletcher, richardson, silvestre, smith. Larsson is gone next month and ole has not got long left.
I think there is massive turmuil in the club - mainly due to the glazers. Some of our brilliant players have glossed over this turmuil this season and i think we will probobly win the league. Im 80% sure ronaldo will go in the summer. I wish he would stay but if we got near 50 million and replaced him with someone or combination of messi, kaka, xavi it would be ok - but as we all know that would never happen. We would end up with a massive net profit on transfer dealings and the glazers will have made a dent in that debt. A lot of people on this forum take the short term view. Personally im very worried about Utds future, any agree.....
Hello Aussie Dave submitting after a bit of a break. Love the result, hate the new format for the site.
I couln't get in so I signed up again this time as Hugh Jarse, and my bum's not big!
Anyway, great result and SAF knew we would likely need VDS in goal. We jagged it. I still want to keep DF and JOS for bit parter ,never in the same midfield but I now believe that KR should be in the Championship. No awareness of players available for a lay off, or imminent tackles.
Saha did well and he should helps us to silverware.
Still in three comps so JOS, FD and Wes will be needed but please give up on KR Fergie.
Please can we have the original site design, it was so comfortable, so easy.
3 STOOGES AT IT AGAIN,O`SHEA,FLETCHER,RICHARDSON,I UNDERSTAND WHY THEY WERE PLAYING TONITE(REAL PLAYERS NEED RESTING)UTD NEED TOGET BETTER COVER IN THE SUMMER,THE LAD JUST ARENT UP TO IT
Absolutly awfull, we were so lucky we scored three when they were not looking. How Richardson and Fletcher can put on a red shirt I dont know. I love the reds but we have to do something for our back up players. we do not have any class players on the bench, with the exception of Ole. If we think so much of Smith (and I love the guy) let them play. If this was our seoond team I hope we dont get any injuries.
How can a Man U team win the first 6 minutes and then lose the remainder of the match? That's something to ponder. Our second string look dazed against their second string, and our lot cost a heaps more. Heaven help us if our "top 11" emulate this on Saturday against Liverpool. In the meantime, let's promise NEVER to play Richardson again. Heinze is done. So is Brown, Silvestre, JOS, the Fletch, .... is there anyone left?
Martin NYC
I give credit to both sides: Manutd for having the best start ever to a game (although they clearly lost focus after 30 mins of the game) and Reading for their fighting spirit. Saha was magnificent despite being knocked and fouled every other minute. The worst player i believe on the pitch was Bikey and i do believe he should have got a second yellow just for his faults on Saha. Richardson should leave he is not Manutd calibre, easily lost too many possesions. Great game. Up the Reds!
We should have more faith in the squad we have, remarkable result....going to an inform team and making 7 changes in the starting lineup what a result and no extra time either. That's 3 difficult away games and 3 wins .....bring on the bindippers!
I know we all can critize the 3 muskateers (do I need to mention them by name)but they are part of the squad whether we like it or not and while they wear the red shirt we must support not slag off. With the games coming thick and fast we will need to use the full squad. Just a thought am I right in saying that if either us or chelski get to the FA Cup semi-final our league match at stamford bridge which is due to be played on the same day, we will end up playing this game at the end of the season??
I strongly believe that if we get a result at the scousers (remember they have a very tough game with Barca tuesday) the PL trophy is coming home!
A very strange game. I thought we were quite poor, which seems odd to say having scored 3. I think SAF's reactions on the touchline were a fair indicator of how we let the game slip from our control and how often we wasted possession of the ball. That said though, job done and we rested everyone who needed to be rested. I really hope that Saha can use that run out to sharpen up because he looks very rusty. I actually felt sorry for the Reading keeper at the start, as Motty said his Dad was over from Australia to watch the game and i was hoping he wouldnt make any howlers in front of him! At least our lads were a bit more ruthless than me! Oh and one other thing, why didnt Smith get a run? Its not like he could have given the ball away more than anyone else
It was at best an average performance by the Reds but apart from the first six minutes Reading played the best football I have seen for a while but lets not for get we won so get behind our team and stop whining about O¿shay Richardson and Fletcher seems to me when a side actually play well against United the snipers come crawling out of the wood work to point fingers and suck teeth grow up
"It was a fantastic cup tie. Credit to both sides, they put on a great show.
"Anyone watching that can only be delighted with the performance of both teams."
- Sir Alex Ferguson
WHO THE HELL IS HE TRYING TO KID!!!!!!!!
3 hard away games in 8 days and we've won the lot! Having said that I think we've used up all our luck for the season. All the main players had a rest last night so watch out Liverpool!
Wonder if Nev will play as I just don't rate Wes as a right back - much better as a centre back.
AAbsolute rubbish,hardly supring we lost to COPENHAGEN,SOUTHEND, drew with CREWE(90MINS),EXETER,BURTON..........BURTON......EXETER.
Reading were rubish to ,it was more like a pub game ,i dont think i have ever seen a Utd team boot the ball away like last night......GOOD GAME!!!!!!! your having a laugh BEST SQUAD FOR AGES!!!!!!!!!!
v d gouw ,brown,may ,berg,neville, jordi,scholes,chadwick(??????) greening(?????)ole. teddy.
Get KEANO in now the writing is on the wall,he wont tolerate second rate players in a first class club.
Stop burying our heads in the sand .
Very strange game, if we hadn't scored so early I doubt that we would have been so complacent and sat back nearly inviting disaster. Fair play to Reading for not rolling over and having a go. Half thje side showed exactly why they should go in the summer, no commitment from several players who were also totally ineffective.
Yesterday I was hoping that DF would prove me wrong and show that he can play football, never mind! Thanks for the present Reading and let's hope that Boro like to give matches away and won't play their first team!!
Things I learnt from watching the game last night..... Richardson is not united class and is not a suitable replacement for either ronaldo or giggs. Wes Brown looks well off the pace and needs a lot of games to get to the level he is capable of. Darren Fletcher is possibly the worst player i have seen at united for a long time. He gives the ball away so many times it is frightening. He has little pace, cant defend and is very poor at marking in a corner situation. He would struggle to even get into citys squad let alone 1st team. Get rid of him now fergie the guy is a liability!!
In the end so glad we got through!
I never expected champagne football but i had hoped we'd at least play like a team!
We defended too deep after the unbelievable start! The midfeild couldn't keep the ball long enough after that and the ball keeps coming like a ping-pong back, putting defence under ridiculous pressure.
A little team play would have been good, but the early goals went to a few players heads and we wasted a few promising opportunities!
Thanks for van der Sar, he showed what a class man he is! I couldn't get my head round how difficult JUST DEFENDING has turned out to be! We were at times like 7yr olds!
Well done Reading!
A REAL CUP-TIE!!!