Royals Reserves hold wasteful United
Manchester United 0 Vs 0 Reading – 17th February 2007
Steve Coppell’s Reading rotation once again proved its worth as his hardworking team earned a replay against Manchester United in the FA Cup 5th Round.
United, six points clear in the Premiership were looking to avoid fixture pile up problems which haunt both Arsenal and Chelsea but Sir Alex’s side will be forced to do battle at the Madejski if they are to achieve a place in the quarter finals.
The Red Devil’s were largely favoured in this tie despite suspension to Wayne Rooney and the manager choosing to rest Paul Scholes and Henrik Larsson. Reading made seven changes to the team which beat Aston Villa in their last Premiership game and played with one man up front in a bid to foil United.
The early exchanges were dominated by the Premiership leaders, who as ever we led by Cristiano Ronaldo. Reading looked to contain the home side and did so very well until Luis Saha broke through midway through the first half but found his shot screwing wide off his wrong foot.
Manchester United continued to press and continued to make chances. Park, found himself in the box on three separate occasions but a combination of blue and white defenders foiled his goal scoring ambitions on each occasion.
Reading looked to hold on until the break and were given a let off when Solskjaer had a goal ruled out for offside, though at second glance the striker appeared to be level. A poor Reading clearance bounced off a united player to set up the Norwegian, who despite and excellent finish saw the flag rule out his effort.
Park again found himself in a goal scoring position shortly before half time but a good save from the Reading stand in Federici denied his goal bound effort. The way side then created a chance of their own as De la Cruz went close in the opposition box after cutting inside Heinze. His shot however was slightly scuffed into the ground and missed the post from close range by inches.
United’s dominance then paid off as Carrick gave his side the lead. Good play from Ronaldo set up the midfielder who in space 25 yards out found the bottom corner setting his team up nicely for a place in the quarter finals.
In the second half, Reading again came out with a defensive outlook and looked to sit deep and see what United had to offer. Ronaldo was now becoming more of a threat and wasted an opportunity shortly before Saha fired straight into the keepers hand from the edge of the area.
It was almost two when another great run from Ronaldo opened up a gap in the Reading defense, he was found by a ball from Brown but his shot lacked power and despite taking a deflection on it’s way to goal the ball squirmed wide. The one way traffic continued as United began to becoming increasingly wasteful in front of goal. Saha saw another weak effort saved and Ronaldo was guilty of a bad miss then he was one on one with the keeper and still Reading were in the game.
The home side were then hit with a killer blow as Reading, against all odds, equalized through Gunnarsson. A well worked set piece allowed the Icelandic defender to roam forward and smash a powerful header passed Kuszak in the united goal.
Looking to instantly regain the lead, United brought on Scholes and Larsson but could still not find a way though the tough backline of the Royals. Ronaldo, with flicks and tricks, found his path to goal frequently blocked and Larsson was denied by a fantastic save five minutes from the end after an excellent link up with Scholes.
In the final minute Luis Saha squandered an opportunity to give United a route through as he burst in on goal but was well wide with a side footed effort.
Reading celebrated at the end of the game as if they had won the Cup and United trudged off the pitch knowing that they could and should have prevented a replay but will now face an uphill battle if they are to line up alongside Chelsea, Plymouth and Manchester rivals City.
The Red Devil’s were largely favoured in this tie despite suspension to Wayne Rooney and the manager choosing to rest Paul Scholes and Henrik Larsson. Reading made seven changes to the team which beat Aston Villa in their last Premiership game and played with one man up front in a bid to foil United.
The early exchanges were dominated by the Premiership leaders, who as ever we led by Cristiano Ronaldo. Reading looked to contain the home side and did so very well until Luis Saha broke through midway through the first half but found his shot screwing wide off his wrong foot.
Manchester United continued to press and continued to make chances. Park, found himself in the box on three separate occasions but a combination of blue and white defenders foiled his goal scoring ambitions on each occasion.
Reading looked to hold on until the break and were given a let off when Solskjaer had a goal ruled out for offside, though at second glance the striker appeared to be level. A poor Reading clearance bounced off a united player to set up the Norwegian, who despite and excellent finish saw the flag rule out his effort.
Park again found himself in a goal scoring position shortly before half time but a good save from the Reading stand in Federici denied his goal bound effort. The way side then created a chance of their own as De la Cruz went close in the opposition box after cutting inside Heinze. His shot however was slightly scuffed into the ground and missed the post from close range by inches.
United’s dominance then paid off as Carrick gave his side the lead. Good play from Ronaldo set up the midfielder who in space 25 yards out found the bottom corner setting his team up nicely for a place in the quarter finals.
In the second half, Reading again came out with a defensive outlook and looked to sit deep and see what United had to offer. Ronaldo was now becoming more of a threat and wasted an opportunity shortly before Saha fired straight into the keepers hand from the edge of the area.
It was almost two when another great run from Ronaldo opened up a gap in the Reading defense, he was found by a ball from Brown but his shot lacked power and despite taking a deflection on it’s way to goal the ball squirmed wide. The one way traffic continued as United began to becoming increasingly wasteful in front of goal. Saha saw another weak effort saved and Ronaldo was guilty of a bad miss then he was one on one with the keeper and still Reading were in the game.
The home side were then hit with a killer blow as Reading, against all odds, equalized through Gunnarsson. A well worked set piece allowed the Icelandic defender to roam forward and smash a powerful header passed Kuszak in the united goal.
Looking to instantly regain the lead, United brought on Scholes and Larsson but could still not find a way though the tough backline of the Royals. Ronaldo, with flicks and tricks, found his path to goal frequently blocked and Larsson was denied by a fantastic save five minutes from the end after an excellent link up with Scholes.
In the final minute Luis Saha squandered an opportunity to give United a route through as he burst in on goal but was well wide with a side footed effort.
Reading celebrated at the end of the game as if they had won the Cup and United trudged off the pitch knowing that they could and should have prevented a replay but will now face an uphill battle if they are to line up alongside Chelsea, Plymouth and Manchester rivals City.