Manchester United 3-1 Reading: Brazilian midfield duo Casemiro and Fred on target in FA Cup win

Old Trafford received a portion of Saturday night samba as Brazil’s Casemiro and Fred crushed stubborn resistance from Championship Reading in the FA Cup fourth round.

Casemiro scored twice in four minutes early in the second half before his compatriot Fred stepped in to end the tie.

Reading, managed by former United great Paul Ince, had striker Andy Carroll sent off for a late challenge on Casemiro, but managed a consolation from substitute Amadou Mbengue.

A Casemiro-inspired Manchester United overcame a challenge from Reading at Old Trafford to advance to the fifth round of the FA Cup

History and form had suggested a home win at Old Trafford. Reading’s only win against United was in 1927 and they sit 16th in the Championship, while Erik ten Hag’s side are still battling it out in four competitions.

Ince, who won two FA Cups as a United player, received a warm welcome from United fans despite his acrimonious departure from the club 28 years ago, but he faced a strong home team that featured only one change from to their victory in the Carabao Cup semifinal. in nottingham forest

With the three thousand Reading fans in good cheer, Casemiro’s early attack on Jeff Hendrick indicated it would be a proper tie under the lights.

Marcus Rashford appeared to have scored a record tenth goal in consecutive games for the club in the first half

But the fit striker’s header was eventually ruled out for offside by VAR and the game was level at the interval.

Brazil international Casemiro was instrumental in United’s success and put the hosts ahead with his 54th-minute strike.

The first chances fell to United’s Christian Eriksen and Wout Weghorst and Reading goalkeeper Joe Lumley was forced into action after 14 minutes blocking a Marcus Rashford free-kick.

From the follow-on, Royals skipper Andy Yladom gamely blocked a shot from Eriksen and there were more bodies on the line as Tom Homes slid to deny Wout Weghorst and skipper Andy Yiadom intercepted to stop Rashford.

The away fans also laughed at Weghorst’s missed shot after 27 minutes, chanting ‘You’re so *** Andy Carroll’ to him.

United entered the half hour mark with 84% possession, but still had no goal to prove. Antonio’s trickery down the right wing gave Fernandes a chance to shoot, but his shot missed the far post.

The former Real Madrid star added a second goal just three minutes later to double United’s lead against the Royals.

Rashford was looking to make club history by scoring in his 10th successive home game and looked distraught after 35 minutes when his header was ruled out by VAR because Weghorst was offside before giving the assist.

United had a strong penalty appeal turned down when Junior Hoilett’s clumsy challenge caught Casemiro and the underdogs almost took a stunning lead with the last action of the first half.

United’s Tyrell Malacia tried to chest the ball towards his own goal and missed Hoilett lurking behind. The Canadian stole and David de Gea brilliantly parried a shot as Ince looked on in frustration.

Having survived the scare late in the first half, Manchester United upped their game and pulled off a double lead before the hour mark, both times from Casemiro.

Former England striker Andy Carroll was sent off for a second booking after fouling the Brazilian in the second half.

After coming on for Christian Eriksen in the second half, Fred would add a third goal for Ten Hag’s side against ten-man Reading.

His first on 54 minutes followed a fine play in which Eriksen switched play to Antony on the right side and the Brazilian winger slipped a pass into the path of his compatriot which Casemiro finished off with style from eight yards.

The second, four minutes later, was from further away and had a touch of samba. Fred, another Brazilian, fed his World Cup teammate 25 yards from goal and the shot off the outside of his right foot could have beaten Lumley on goal even without Holmes’ additional header. .

Casemiro’s intervention was too much for Carroll, who got out of control and caught the midfielder in the 65th minute to receive the red card. Carroll, 34, apologized to Casemiro apparently blaming a slippery pitch, but referee Darren England was unsympathetic, handing the former Liverpool and Newcastle striker a second yellow.

But Paul Ince’s team gave the traveling fans something to be happy about when Amadou Salif Mbengue scored from a corner.

United were now in ruthless mode and converted a third when Fred converted a Fernandes cross from close range.

It was the signal for Erik ten Hag to replace Rashford with the striker disappointed at not being able to mark his milestone.

Reading’s traveling supporters had their moment of celebration on 72 minutes when Tom Ince’s corner was headed in by substitute Amadou Mbengue to make it 3-1.