It’s an easy task for managerless Reading, as they prepare to face the Premier League leaders Manchester United at Old Trafford. Eamonn Dolan will be at the helm for the Royals, following the sacking of Brian McDermott. Reading need a result to keep their survival hopes alive, while Sir Alex Ferguson’s team will want to wrap up the title as soon as possible.
Vital Quotes:
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson on the sacking of Brian McDermott – ‘The timing is surprising. If a new manager comes along, they can’t buy anyone. What he has got he has got. If they had done it in December or January maybe I would have understood it because it would have given a new manager time to bring players in during the window. He also got them promoted to the Premier League. I don’t know what more you can do. He was manager of the month in January – I hope I am not manager of the month this month.’
Reading’s caretaker manager Eamonn Dolan – “The group earned the right to play in this great league and you don`t want to surrender that. I think Reading Football Club deserve to be in the Barclays Premier League next year. That`s our aim and I`m very confident that we`ll do that. I love football. I was excited on Wednesday when our 18s played Fulham. Of course I`m going to be excited to go to Old Trafford, like everyone at Reading. With Sir Alex – they`re the greatest football club in the world, he`s the greatest manager of all time. But I won`t be thinking that tomorrow. It`s business on Saturday and we aim to get a result.’
Man Utd Team News:
Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that he will be without defender Phil Jones and Nani, who are both injured. Apart from this, United have no other notable injury worries.
Player to watch: Wayne Rooney
The England international has been the centre of attention for the past few weeks after his Madrid omission, but certainly proved his worth against Chelsea. Rooney will once again want to show Sir Alex what he was missing.
Reading Team News:
Goalkeeper Alex McCarthy has returned to the Royals squad, after beginning first team training again this week, while fellow goalkeeper Adam Federici is still out with an ankle problem. Winger Jimmy Kebe will also miss out, as will Pavel Pogrebnyak, who serves the final game of his suspension. Striker Jason Roberts
Player to watch: Alex Pearce
The defender is yet to sign a new deal at the Madejski Stadium and is being linked with a move away, in hope of remaining in the Premier League come next season. However, Pearce will need to prove himself on the big stage and prove he is capable of playing in this division.
Expected line-ups:
Manchester United – 4-4-2: De Gea, Rafael, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, Valencia, Carrick, Kagawa, Cleverley, Rooney, Van Persie
Reading – 4-4-2: McCarthy, Kelly, Pearce, Mariappa, Harte, Robson-Kanu, Leigertwood, Akpan, McAnuff, Hunt, Le Fondre
Ref Watch:
The referee will be Mark Clattenburg for this game.
Match Prediction:
Caretaker manager. Old Trafford. Manchester United. Everything seems like it is against us! As long as the lads give 100% throughout the game, I will leave a happy fan.
Vital Reading prediction: Man United 3 – 0 Reading
Next Fixtures:
Man United – Sunderland (A) – Saturday 30th March – Premier League
Reading – Arsenal (A) – Saturday 30th March – Premier League
