Ones to Watch: Manchester United vs Reading (FA Cup)

Manchester United will look to advance themselves into the fifth round of the FA Cup, welcoming Reading to Old Trafford on Saturday.

Erik ten Hag is predicted to make changes to the XI that defeated Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, with the manager speaking on needing to utilise his entire squad in the upcoming schedule during his pre-match press conference.

“That’s why we need all the players we have here in the squad,” he said. “To develop them but especially to get the right results out of it. We want to stay in those games and leagues, cups as long as possible and we have to fight for it.

Read More: Ex-United defender says Manchester United are not Carabao Cup favourites

“I think that is good for the development of the club, if we are ahead or not in the process I don’t know but what we do is every day, we have to give our maximum. Every day we have to approach it and say good is not good enough and we have to do better. This is so that we keep going in the progress, and then the progress it is about that and it will never end.

“We have to approach it like that and if we are ahead or not in the process it is not that important and it is where we are now and we want to win every game, no matter the opponent.”

Here are the ones to watch for the FA Cup clash on Saturday evening.

Manchester United: Facundo Pellistri

After making his competitive debut for Manchester United earlier this month, Facundo Pellistri has received plenty of praise from Ten Hag and United fans, grabbing an assist on his debut and involved in Bruno Fernandes’ goal against Forest on Wednesday.

Erik ten Hag has been speaking on the winger who started for Uruguay during the 2022 World Cup, saying that the fact that Pellistri is becoming more involved is an indication that he is part of the Dutchman’s plans going forwards.

With Pellistri predicted to start against Reading, this could be the moment he needs to grab the full attention of the Old Trafford faithful and force his way into the thoughts of Ten Hag long term, providing a different type of outlet to right-winger Antony.

Reading: Andy Carroll

A throw-back name for many Premier League fans, Andy Carroll is now plying his trade at Reading under the guidance of Paul Ince.

Despite originally being ruled out of the fixture, Ince confirmed that Carrol is back in full training and experiencing no more problems with his ankle, and should he start, he will provide the United back line with a big problem to handle.

Standing at 193cm tall, Carroll has scored and assisted 140 goals across his 387 domestic career appearances, which has unfortunately been blighted with injury. His height and ability to score incredible goals will make him a tough test for whoever starts in the centre of defence.