MANCHESTER UNITED cruised into the next round of the FA Cup with a 3-1 win over Reading.
Two goals from Casemiro and a strike from sub Fred set the Red Devils on their way to victory at Old Trafford.
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Their Championship opponents huffed and puffed as United were made to work for their win.
Yet Erik ten Hag will be delighted at seeing his men get over the line as Andy Carroll was also sent off for Reading.
But who was United’s best player on the night? And did anyone have a game to forget?
Here, SunSport’s Neil Custis delivers his player ratings…
DAVID DE GEA – 7
Didn’t have a lot to do but when called up showed his reactions are as sharp as ever.
Produced a brilliant instinctive stop with his legs to deny Junior Hoilett right on half-time.
But questions remain over future with contract running down.
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AARON WAN-BISSAKA – 7
The argument used to be that, yes, he could tackle, but didn’t offer enough further up-field.
Well that is starting to change as he gets more and more involved with United’s attacks.
VICTOR LINDELOF – 6
Called up for the two Cup games this week and has barely put a foot wrong.
Ten Hag has real strength in depth at centre-back.
HARRY MAGUIRE – 6
There is always extra pressure on Maguire when he gets a chance now he is not first choice.
But he looked solid last night as he tries to fight his way back into the team for the Premier League.
TYRELL MALACIA – 5
Almost cost United right on half-time when he dithered dealing with a cross that allowed Junior Hoilett a shot on goal.
Malacia was thankful for De Gea coming to his rescue.
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CASEMIRO – 9
What a signing he has been.
Runs games as he strolls from box to box and proves he has an eye for goal as well with two in this victory over Reading.
CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 6
Subbed off just short of the hour after a fairly quiet game.
Curled an early free kick just wide.
ANTONY – 7
Got criticised for his performance at Arsenal but has recovered with two good games in four days.
Superb slide-rule through ball for Casemiro’s opener but lost his man for Reading’s goal.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 6
Not at his influential best.
Sent a few long-range shots flying over but did provide the assist for Fred’s goal.
MARCUS RASHFORD – 6
Denied his moment in history by VAR.
He thought his far post header in the first half had made him the first United player to score in ten straight home games but Wout Weghorst was slightly offside in the build-up.
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WOUT WEGHORST – 5
Broke his duck for United at The City Ground in midweek but was quiet on his home debut.
He is not the long-term answer up front for United.
SUBS:
Facundo Pellistri (for Fernandes, 68) – 6
It has taken a while for him to get his chance but this was his third appearance as a sub recently to show he is in Ten Hag’s plans now.
Alejandro Garnacho (Rashford, 68) – 6
Real one for the future. Loves picking the ball up and just charging at opponents.
Fred (Eriksen, 57) – 8
What an impact he had teeing up Casemiro for his second and got a goal himself with a clever flick of his instep.
Kobbie Mainoo (Casemiro, 73) – 6
Admitted to feeling a bit starstruck when he replaced Casemiro against Charlton and did so again in the second-half here and helped United see the game out.
Anthony Elanga (Weghorst, 73) – 6
Thought this could be breakthrough season for him but largely being used as a late sub.
