Prediction: Manchester United vs Reading

Verdict: Manchester United win to nil

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to extend on their FA Cup adventure on Saturday night, Manchester United will welcome Championship outfit Reading to Old Trafford.

Manchester United

Starting with the hosts, while Manchester United might have been left heartbroken by their last-gasp 3-2 defeat away at Arsenal last weekend, Erik ten Hag’s men made an immediate thumping return to winning ways. Putting one foot in the final of this year’s EFL Cup after storming their way to a 3-0 romp away at Nottingham Forest, the former Ajax boss has seen his side gain a string of plaudits. While the Red Devils might face a huge uphill struggle if they’re to mount a shock title charge during the second-half of the season, United are cruising towards a top-four return. With the mood in their camp at a red-hot high, ten Hag’s side have suffered just a single defeat across any format since way back on November 6th. Quickly gaining a reputation for their free-scoring displays in the final third, it should also be noted that Saturday’s hosts have won each of their previous 10 straight showdowns at Old Trafford.

Team News

Despite returning to training last week, the duo of Axel Tuanzebe and Jadon Sancho will not feature on Saturday night. Likewise, Dutch international Donny van de Beek will not play any part for the remainder of this season.

After serving a one-match suspension, England defender Harry Maguire will be hoping to make a rare start at Old Trafford. The likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Anthony Elanga will be hoping for a full recall this weekend.

Reading

As for the visitors, while Reading might almost find themselves sat in Championship limbo, Paul Ince’s men are enduring an extended wobble. Last seen putting in a nightmare display as they were hit with a 4-0 drumming away at Stoke, the Royals will be more than aware that they face a huge challenge on Saturday night. Although the Berkshire-based outfit might have claimed a much-needed 2-0 victory against Watford earlier in the month as they extended on their FA Cup adventure, that is the only domestic win that Reading have collected from their last five outings. Tipped as a landslide underdog here, it should also be noted that Ince’s side have shown some rather glaring struggles on the road. Including an action-packed 3-2 defeat away at Birmingham, the one-time Manchester United midfielder has seen his side win just one of their last 10 matchups away from the Madejski.

Team News

Reading will once again be without one-time Liverpool striker Andy Carroll on Saturday night. Likewise, Ince’s side will travel to Old Trafford without the likes of Naby Sarr, Sam Hutchinson and Liam Moore.

Despite suffering a knee injury earlier in the month, Reading remain hopeful that Kelvin Abrefa will be able to feature here.

Key Factors to Consider

• Manchester United have won each of their last 10 straight showdowns at Old Trafford – a run that stems all the way back to October 16th.
• The Premier League giants have also scored at least a pair of goals in nine of those 10 consecutive home victories.
• England international Marcus Rashford has scored 10 post-World Cup strikes.
• Reading have won just a pair of their previous seven matchups across all formats.
• Likewise, the Royals have also recorded just a single victory away from the Madejski Stadium in their last 10 attempts.

Conclusion

Making an immediate return to winning ways earlier in the week thanks to a 3-0 romp away at Nottingham Forest, Manchester United are certainly enjoying an extended purple patch. Only continuing on a remarkable 10-match winning run at Old Trafford, Saturday’s hosts are rightfully tipped as a landslide pick here. With Reading last seen getting hit with a woeful 4-0 drumming at the hands of Stoke, Ince’s struggling squad are also enduring a nightmare run of form outside of Berkshire. Mustering just a single away win since the middle of September, it is hard to see anything other than a routine home victory in Manchester.

Verdict: Manchester United win to nil

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Unibet