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As it happenedended

Juan Mata and Romelu Lukaku combine as Manchester United cruise past Reading

Relive all the action from Old Trafford and the rest of the FA Cup third round

Kieran Jackson
Saturday 05 January 2019 10:31 EST
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Man United v Reading: FA Cup match preview

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's winning start to life at the Manchester United helm continued but the FA Cup third-round triumph against embattled Reading was the caretaker manager's most unconvincing performance to date.

United racked up their fifth straight victory since the Norwegian replaced Jose Mourinho, although the Royals provided a test that belied their place five points adrift of safety in the Championship.

Reading arrived at Old Trafford without a win in their previous 10 matches but proved a handful on an afternoon that saw United emerge 2-0 victors thanks to Juan Mata's penalty - after a lengthy video assistant referee delay - and a cool Romelu Lukaku strike.

PA

Relive all the action below

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45 minutes: Manchester United 1-0 Reading 

Five minutes of added time at Old Trafford, due to the McTominay injury and the pause for the VAR decision. 

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 13:17

45+3 minutes: Manchester United 1-0 Reading 

Reading finishing the half much stronger than United!

Yiadom again has a chance, and his fierce right-footed drive is tipped over by Romero. 

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 13:19

GOAL! Manchester United 2-0 Reading (Lukaku 49')

It's against the run of play, but United have their second!

Sanchez plays a deliciosu through ball to Romelu Lukaku, and with just the keeper to beat, the Belgian rounds Jaakkola and finishes into an empty net. 

Very harsh on Reading that.

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 13:19

HALF TIME: Manchester United 2-0 Reading 

That'll be a tough one for Reading fans to take. They've been the better team, but United have taken their chances. 

Juan Mata won and then scored a penalty in the 22nd minute after VAR involvement, and with a minute to go in stoppage time Lukaku has put United with one foot in Monday's fourth-round draw. 

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 13:21

GOAL! Shrewsbury Town 1-0 Stoke City (Norburn 45+4, PEN) 

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 13:22

Here's the scores from the six other third-round games at half-time:

  • Bournemouth 0-2 Brighton (Knockaert 31', Bissouma 34')
  • Burnley 0-0 Barnsley 
  • Sheffield Wednesday 0-0 Luton Town 
  • Shrewsbury Town 1-0 Stoke City (Norburn 45+4, PEN) 
  • West Brom 1-0 Wigan (Sako 31') 
  • West Ham 1-0 Birmingham (Arnautovic 2') 
Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 13:27

Here's Lukaku's goal on the stroke of half-time: 

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 13:37

SECOND-HALF: Manchester United 2-0 Reading 

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 13:38

49 minutes: Manchester United 2-0 Reading 

From a free-kick 30 yards out, Reading's John Swift hits it cleanly but its comfortably into the arms of Romero. 

Once again though, Reading dominating possession at the start of the second-half. 

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 13:40

53 minutes: Manchester United 2-0 Reading 

Reading go close again!

Excellent play by Loader on the edge of the box to feed Harriott, but his shot is saved by the legs of Romero. 

Replays show that he was offside, so VAR would have chalked it off anyhow. 

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 13:45

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