Home » Teams » Manchester United » [Image] Predicted 4-2-3-1 Man United XI to face Reading in the FA Cup – Solskjaer to make 8 changes?

[Image] Predicted 4-2-3-1 Man United XI to face Reading in the FA Cup – Solskjaer to make 8 changes?

Predicted Manchester United line-up to face Reading in the FA Cup

Manchester United will begin their FA Cup campaign on Saturday with a third-round tie against Championship outfit Reading.

The Red Devils will be bidding to maintain their remarkable resurgence under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who oversaw a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United in the Premier League on Wednesday. With the victory at Newcastle, Solskjaer became only the second manager in the club’s history to win the opening four games in charge.

Reading, on the other hand, come to Old Trafford on the back of a 10-game winless run in the Championship, which has seen them drop to 23rd place in the table.

Team News

Eric Bailly is suspended for seeing a straight red card in the 4-1 victory over Bournemouth. Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo remain out injured.

Probable Manchester United XI

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Manager: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Sergio Romero (GK)

Romero is normally United’s goalkeeper for cup competitions. He is expected to start against Reading.

Antonio Valencia (RB)

Valencia returned to the Manchester United starting XI against Newcastle but dished out a poor display. However, the Ecuadorian could get another shot on Saturday.

Victor Lindelof (CB)

Lindelof has been in stunning form since the arrival of Solskjaer. He is a certain starter against Reading.

Phil Jones (CB)

With Bailly suspended and Smalling and Rojo injured, Jones should continue to partner Lindelof in central defence.

Matteo Darmian (LB)

Darmian could be handed a rare start for Manchester United. He could be deployed at left-back.

Andreas Pereira (CM)

Pereira has played very little for United this season and should get minutes under his belt at the weekend.

Marouane Fellaini (CM)

The big Belgian could be a real handful for the Reading defence, offering the Red Devils a different dimension to their attack.

Tahith Chong (RW)

On the right, Tahith Chong could be handed a start. The speedy Dutchman is capable of causing all sorts of problems to the Reading backline.

Fred (CAM)

Fred is yet to fully adapt to the Premier League. He needs a run of games to show his true colours in a United shirt.

Alexis Sanchez (LW)

Came on as a substitute in the 2-0 victory over Newcastle, assisting Rashford’s goal and he’ll be desperate to prove his critics wrong. Sanchez is expected to start against Reading.

Read more: Go for it Solskjaer – This 24-year-old versatile Dortmund star would add immense value to Man United’s squad

Romelu Lukaku (ST)

Two goals in two games for Lukaku under Solskjaer and the Belgian will look to get on the scoresheet in the FA Cup tie against Reading.

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