Manchester United were drawn against Reading in the fourth round of the FA Cup, and it is fair to say that both sides know each other well, having met five times in the last 16 years in the FA Cup.
ℹ️ Find out more about our @EmiratesFACup tie with Reading.#MUFC || #FACup
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 8, 2023
Yesterday’s outcome now means that the Reds will take on Reading for a fourth time in ten seasons in the FA Cup, with the most recent game between the two sides coming in 2019, where Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United won 2-0 as Juan Mata and Romelu Lukaku got on the scoresheet that day.
Before, we look at the previous FA Cup meetings between the sides, this article will detail how both sides reached the next round of the FA Cup. United beat Everton 3-1 on Friday night at Old Trafford, thanks to goals from Antony, Marcus Rashford and an own goal from Conor Coady. Whilst, Reading booked their spot in the fourth round with a 2-0 win over fellow Championship side, Watford.
Reading, who are now managed by former United player, Paul Ince, are currently three points off the Play-Offs in the Championship and the Royals are no strangers to meeting United in the FA Cup as they have met in recent times in 2007, 2013, 2017 and 2019. United have won all those four matches.
Back in 2007, United and Reading met twice in the FA Cup as the Royals held United to a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford but United won the replay 3-2 in a game that saw United score three goals in the opening six minutes of the game.
Six years later, United and Reading locked horns again during the Red’s title winning Premier League season and it was United who once again came out on top as they won 2-1, thanks to goals from Nani and Javier Hernandez before Jobi McAnuff pulled one back for the Royals. David de Gea started that game as the Reds booked their place in the quarter-finals that year.
The two sides again met in the FA Cup at Old Trafford once again and United trounced the Championship side 4-0 back in 2017 as goals from Wayne Rooney, Anthony Martial and a double from Marcus Rashford sealed a comprehensive third round win for United.