Manchester United academy coach Paul McShane has told Erik ten Hag which Reading players he needs to be wary of during Saturday's FA Cup fourth round clash.
The Professional Development Phase chief played for the Royals between 2015 and 2019, featuring in more than 100 games and eventually becoming club captain. McShane, who started his football career in United’s youth ranks, made the FA Cup final with Hull in 2014, where they lost to Arsenal.
He will be hoping his current club can take a step closer to Wembley with a win over Reading, who have won just one of their last five games, on Saturday. McShane said the match-up would be “an interesting game” and pinpointed six players who United need to keep tabs on throughout the match, some of whom have Premier League experience.
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Speaking to club media, the 37-year-old said: “I know a few of their players and I know they have a good blend of youth and experience. Shane Long I know very well from my time with the Irish team.
“He’s always a threat, He’s an experienced player and he’s also got raw pace and power. He can get a goal. Andy Carroll, also a handful.
“You’ve got Tom Ince, [and] then you have young lads, [Tom] Holmes and [Tom] McIntyre. I knew them when I was there and Andy Yiadom, he was there when I was at the club.
“They’ve got some really good players that can do something on the day, so by no means will it be a walk in the park [for United].
"It will be difficult, as every cup game is. So I think United will have to be ready for it, which I have no doubt they will be. It will be a good game.”
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