Erik ten Hag hints at Man United line-up decision for FA Cup clash vs Reading

Erik ten Hag has hinted at a change in his Manchester United front three for the upcoming FA Cup clash against Reading.

After United placed one foot in the final of the Carabao Cup with a 3-0 win against Nottingham Forest on Wednesday, Ten Hag will be looking to progress into the fifth round of the more notorious English cup competition this weekend.

With The Reds being the only team in the country still competing in four competitions, there will be needed rotation against the Championship side.

Facundo Pellistri is one player that could be gifted important minutes in the fixture. He made his debut earlier this month just over two years after he was signed. His second appearance came in the semi-final clash against Forest mid-week.

After that fixture, Ten Hag explained what the Uruguayan offers on the right side of the attack.

“We have seen some physicality and he has some good movements and some good runs in behind,” Ten Hag told MUTV. “He has speed so he has to bring that into our game. I think he is also a player who can play really good between the lines because he can be ball-secure. That he has to bring into our game. 

“[He is] a little bit different, we have a left-footed right-winger in Antony, and Facundo is right-footed and I think a good chance he created was his cross for Wout Weghorst.”

The young winger was influential in both of his first-team appearances so far, assisting Marcus Rashford in the first and causing problems on the flank in the second. His close control and technical ability have excited fans.

With the fourth-round tie against Reading being the perfect opportunity for rotation, the United manager was questioned on whether Pellistri was in his thinking for a first start on Saturday.

“After today, I have something in my head,” he said after the victory against Forest. “But I have to settle this game down and look into my plans and I have to look into Reading and then we have to make a good plan to beat Reading.”

Jadon Sancho could also come into the side after he returned to train with the squad last week. Ten Hag said: “He is improving, he’s making steps and we will make the decision after training.”