Manchester United will hope their campaign for the treble will still be alive after tonight’s match up with Premier League rivals, Reading, in the FA Cup.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side will be looking for a win tonight after drawing away to Spanish giants, Real Madrid, in the last 16 of the champions league (Real Madrid 1-1 Man Utd).

The underdogs of tonight’s meeting, Reading, will put their plans to avoid relegation to one side as Brian McDermott is hoping his side can cause an upset at the theatre of dreams.

The last time Reading beat Manchester United and the only time was way back in 1927 at Villa Park in the FA Cup.

Both sides last meet in the 2006/07 FA Cup having to have a replay at the Madejski stadium after a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford. The red devils won the replay 3-2.

The most recent match between the two was back on the 1st of December for the Premier League when Reading hosted United in one of the closest matches of the season. It was goals galore in the first half but non in the second as United ran away with the three points.

After both teams witnessing the quarter final draws last Sunday evening knowing that if they beat their fifth round opponent it could be possible that they will host the holders of the cup, Chelsea, if the blues beat Middlesbrough.

Match information

Date – Monday 18th February

Kickoff – 20:00 (local time)

Venue – Old Trafford

Referee – Andre Marriner

Previous meetings

Manchester United wins – 9

Reading wins – 1

Draws – 1

Recent starting line-ups

Manchester United’s against Real Madrid

01 De Gea; 02 Rafael, 03 Evra, 04 Jones, 05 Ferdinand , 06 Evans; 16 Carrick, 26 Kagawa; 10 Rooney, 19 Welbeck, 20 Van Persie.

Reading’s against Stoke City

01 Federici; 05 Pearce, 06 Mariappa, 23 Harte, 27 Kelly; 08 Leigertwood, 11 McAnuff, 14 Kebe, 28 Akpan; 07 Pogrebnyak, 30 Blackman.

Jamie’s prediction

Manchester United 3 – 1 Reading

On paper Manchester United should whiz through to the quarter finals especially the fact that the match is being held at Old Trafford. United’s home form this season is fantastic and it truly goes against Reading, but on match day statistics should not mean anything it’s mainly how the team performs on the day.

Manchester United will be more pressured than Reading tonight due to the fact that Sir Alex Ferguson is hoping his side can seal a second treble since clinching their first treble back in 1999. Reading have nothing to lose but if they do cause an upset it’ll give the team a lot more confidence which would help them avoid relegation to the championship.

I’m expecting the red devils to win another match over the Royals but it is the FA Cup and we have seen a lot of shocks at the theatre of dreams before and I’m sure Leeds and Portsmouth fans etc will know what I’m talking about.

Match preview by Jamie Davies

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