PLAYER RATINGS: Casemiro shows his class with two fine finishes
Casemiro #Casemiro
Manchester United eased past Reading to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday with a 3-1 victory at Old Trafford.
With the visitors holding out well and the score at 0-0 at half time, Casemiro produced a moment of brilliance to break the deadlock before scoring again.
Fred made it 3-0, and Andy Carroll was sent off before Amadou Mbengue netted a late consolation.
Below, Sportsmail’s Ian Whittell rates both teams’ players after the game.
Man United (4-2-3-1)
David De Gea Along with Rashford, the only survivor from United’s 2016 FA Cup Final win was alert to save from Hoilett and had little else to do 6
Aaron Wan-Bissaka Full-back was lively in attack and often appeared in the Reading penalty area. Little to worry about at the defensive end of the field 6
Victor Lindelof Clattered early by Carroll but shook off the effects and relished the tussle with Reading’s physical strike pair although won’t be happy with the Reading consolation 6
Harry Maguire Handed a rare start and made a couple of very good long-range passes as United tried to break down Reading’s defence. Looked more composed than off late 7
Tyrell Malacia Poor mistake in first half injury-time almost gifted Reading a shock opener and did not offer too much in attack. His late booking summed up his night 5
Casemiro Rashly gave away an early free-kick in a dangerous spot but that was his only error of a night which featured two stunning goals in the space of four minutes 9
Christian Eriksen Ticked over quietly and impressively with an excellent range of passes – one of which set up the opening goal before he was subbed 7
Antony Remains chronically one-footed and missed with a couple of curling efforts although his link-up play and passing was sharp 7
Bruno Fernandes Busy performance and while his shooting left a lot to be desired, was involved in a lot of good moments, including the assist for Fred’s goal 7
Marcus Rashford Looking to score in a record tenth straight home game, he was a constant threat and denied by VAR decision in the first half. Taken off early to save him 7
Wout Weghorst The narrative may be that the big Dutchman is not a United-style striker but still fits in perfectly and set up a disallowed Rashford ‘goal’. Missed a half chance just before the break 7
Substitutes
Fred for Eriksen 56 mins 8
Alejandro Garnacho for Rashford 67 mins 6
Facundo Pellistri for Fernandes 68 mins 6
Anthony Elanga for Weghorst 72 mins 5
Kobbie Mainoo for Casemiro 73 mins 5
Substitutes (not used) Martinez, Varane, Heaton, Williams.
Reading (5-3-2):
Joe Lumley Looked suspect in letting Rashford’s disallowed goal over the line and didn’t cover himself with glory for Casemiro’s second 5
Junior Hoilett Veteran was tortured by Rashford but didn’t panic and grew into the tie. Should have done better with Reading’s only first half chance 6
Andy Yiadom Skipper led by example but struggled to cope with the pace and mobility of United’s front men who ran past him too easily 5
Tom Holmes First half blocks from Weghorst and Eriksen helped keep Reading in it and enjoyed his tussle with United’s big Dutch striker 6
Tom McIntyre One of three centre-halves who had trouble coping with Weghorst’s physicality and could do little to shackle the pace and movement of the runners around him 5
Baba Rahman Popped up to set up Reading’s best chance with a left-wing cross but was virtually anonymous the rest of the way 5
Jeff Hendrick Another Reading midfielder whom the game passed by. Rarely saw the ball, didn’t keep it when he did and then couldn’t win it back 5
Mamadou Loum Was over-run by the Casemiro-Eriksen axis and couldn’t make an impression or limit United’s midfield stranglehold. No surprise he was first Reading player to be subbed 5
Tom Ince Wasted an early free-kick by blasting straight into the wall but, despite a lack of service, at least had the chance to lay on the corner for the consolation goal 6
Lucas Joao A physical presence for Maguire to battle against but offered little threat even though his work rate was good 6
Andy Carroll An FA Cup Final goalscorer in 2012, offered little but his physicality and carried out a series of stupid fouls before picking up two yellows in four minutes and going off in shame 4
Substitutes
Tyrese Fornah for Loum 61 mins 5
Amadou Mbengue for Hoilett 69 mins 7
Dean Bouzanis for Lumley 75 mins 5
Michael Craig for Hendrick 75 mins 5
Shane Long for Joao 76 mins 5
Substitutes (not used) Dann, Meite, Azeez, Guinness-Walker.
Referee: Darren England 6
