Casemiro inspires Manchester United to 3-1 win against Reading

Manchester United successfully navigated their way past a dogged Reading side to book their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 3-1 win.

A brace from Brazilian midfielder Casemiro and his compatriot Fred sealed the win for Manchester United against the Championship team.

The result extended their winning streak at Old Trafford to 11 on the bounce and solidified their chances of winning a trophy this season.

Manchester United started out strong in the first half with Christian Eriksen and Marcus Rashford each coming close to finding the breakthrough from direct free-kicks.

But it was in the second half they really turned up the heat and established dominance on Reading who themselves came close to taking the lead on the stroke of half-time.

Antony played an incisive defence-splitting ball through to international teammate Casemiro, who ghosted into the box and nonchalantly lifted over the helpless Joe Lumley in the 54th minute.

Casemiro then doubled his and United's tally just for minutes later with a curling effort from long range which was helped by a small deflection.

Former England international Andy Carroll became visibly frustrated by the lack of chances up front for Reading and picked up two avoidable yellow cards within five minutes which led to a sending off in the 65th minute.

Fred capitalised on the red card to make it 3-0 in United's favour in the 66th minute with a deft near-post flick from a Bruno Fernandes assist.

Fortunately for the travelling fans, substitute Amadou Mbengue nodded in a late consolation from a corner, giving them something to cheer about as they bow out of the FA Cup.