Manchester United will look to continue their impressive form in domestic cups on Saturday night when they host Championship side Reading.
United beat Everton 3-1 in the last round to set up the clash with Reading, with Antony and Marcus Rashford scoring either side of a Conor Coady own goal to secure the victory. Erik ten Hag's side enter the clash on the back of an emphatic 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, with United now within touching distance of the final.
Despite Reading being relegated from the Premier League back in 2013, this will be the two sides' third meeting in the last five years, with United beating the Royals in the FA Cup in 2017 and 2019. Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw are both set to miss the clash, but Jadon Sancho could make his return to first-team action for the first time since October.
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So, can United book their spot in the FA Cup fifth round this weekend? Let's take a look.
Man United vs Reading score predicted by simulation
To complete this simulation, we used FIFA 23 and updated the squads with the latest injuries and suspensions.
We predict that United could line up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Heaton; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Malacia; Fred, McTominay, Mainoo; Pellistri, Weghorst, Garnacho.
We predict that the visitors could set up in a 3-5-2 formation, with their line-up as follows: Bouzanis; Holmes, Dann, Mbengue; Abrefa, McIntyre, Loum, Baba, Azeez; Long, Joao.
United dominated from the start at Old Trafford, and they quickly raced into a 2-0 lead to secure a firm grip on the game in the first half. Scott McTominay opened the scoring after eight minutes, with the midfielder guiding Facundo Pellistri's pass into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
11 minutes later, United were two ahead with a bit of help from some poor goalkeeping. A long ball forward to Wout Weghorst was picked up by the striker on the byline, and the Dutchman tried an ambitious shot from the tightest of angles. Hit with power, the Reading goalkeeper made a mess of his save, allowing the ball to roll into the net at his near post as United doubled their lead.
Two minutes after the restart, Reading managed to pull a goal back and shock Old Trafford when Lucas Joao flicked a corner towards goal at the near post, and his header flew through the arms of Tom Heaton to halve the deficit. United continued to push forward and looked to open up the gap to two goals again, and they did just that after 68 minutes through Fred.
Pellistri skipped past his marker down the right as he surged towards goal, but after running into a blue and white wall, the winger picked out the run of Fred inside the box. The Brazilian cut inside before dragging a shot back across goal and his effort fired through the legs of the defender before finding the net.
With seven minutes to go the Royals made it 3-2 to put the pressure on United when Victor Lindelof was dispossessed inside the box and Shane Long prodded past Heaton from close range. Rashford was introduced for the final moments as Reading threw bodies forward and the man in form grabbed United's fourth in the 92nd minute to confirm the win.
Tyrell Malacia sent a cross into the box aiming for Weghorst, but too much power on the ball sent it over the striker's head and fortunately into the path of Rashford. The Englishman volleyed the cross towards goal, finding the bottom corner to make it 4-2.
FIFA 23 predicted score: Man United 4-2 Reading
Here are the full-time match stats:
FIFA 23 predicts that United could produce a dominant performance against Reading on Saturday, winning 4-2 in the simulation. In front of goal Ten Hag's side were unstoppable, but some defensive fragility allowed the visitors to make it a much tougher clash than needed, something United won't want in the real game.
What do you think the final score will be? Let us know in the comments.
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