Given the visit to Lille on Tuesday and Coppell's insistence on concentrating on the league, it was no surprise that both managers fielded weakened teams. The only surprise was that United failed to finish off a well organised Reading. What started as a routine run out for United finished as an entertaining cup tie.
With 3 central defenders and only Kitson up front, Reading clearly signalled their game plan. United were frustrated by Reading's organisation and lack of attacking intent and the first half saw little of the fluid football that has characterised United's season. Park worked hard as ever and got himself into threatening positions on at least 4 occassions, only to lack the composure to finish any of them. Credit does have to go to the Reading defence, who were quick to close him down and give him little time on the ball.
Solskjaer did manage to score but the goal was wrongly ruled to be offside and it looked like a dull half was to finish in stalemate until Ronaldo went on another of his runs. Finding himself running towards a dead end, he laid the ball off for the Carrick to run onto. Although nearly 30 yards out, his drive was low and accurate, flying in at the near post beyond Federici's reach.
Reading continued to defend deep in the second half, forcing United to abandon their usual short passing game and attempt to punt long balls to their forwards. Ronaldo did have several chances to finish the game, one time through with only the keeper to beat but managing to shoot across goal and wide. Reading rarely ventured forward but on one of their rare attacks, they forced a corner. Oster crossed and Gunnarsson, given too much space by Silvestre, headed the ball beyond Kuszczak's reach. It was a poor goal to concede leaving Ferguson making immediate changes to a team that should have won easily.
Larsson, Scholes and Evra all came on, with Larsson almost scoring straight away only to see his shot pushed away thanks to Federici's quick reactions. The last quarter of the game was played in the true cup spirit. United didn't want a replay and Reading saw the chance for an upset, United's nerves in the final minutes forcing errors that Reading attempted to capitalise on. Saha had a chance to win the game as he ran through the Reading defence but only managed to shoot wide when laying the ball off to the left would have played in either Larsson or Ronaldo.
In the end it finished a draw, a result that only Chelsea will be pleased about.
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