Royals In Cup Hell?

The Royals continue their FA Cup campaign on Saturday with the simple fifth round task of a trip to Old Trafford, and the Premiership leaders, the Red Devils of Manchester United.

Reading boss Steve Coppell has stated that he will make a number of changes to the side that beat Aston Villa last weekend, continuing his ‘rotation’ policy for cup competitions.

Adam Federici is set to start in goal, and there could also be places for Ulises De La Cruz, Sam Sodje, Brynjar Gunnarsson, John Oster, Bobby Convey, Seol-Ki Hyeon and John Oster.

Dave Kitson continued his comeback from a five-month absence in Tuesday’s reserve victory at Tottenham, and could start at Old Trafford.

Kevin Doyle faces a late test on the hamstring injury that has kept him out for a month, although he did manage 70 minutes for the reserves on Tuesday.

Recent signings Michael Duberry and Greg Halford are cup-tied, while Alan Bennett won’t be considered as he continues to work on his fitness.

Ibrahima Sonko is missing with a long-term knee injury.

Sir Alex Ferguson may follow Steve Coppell’s lead and rest a number of his senior players.

Wayne Rooney will definitely be missing as he serves a suspension, while Edwin Van der Sar is still out with a broken nose so Tomasz Kuszczak will continue in goal.

With Tuesday’s Champions’ League trip to Lille looming, Ferguson may choose to rest the likes of Paul Scholes, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs.

He has plenty of strength in depth, though, with Henrik Larsson, Kieran RIchardson, John O’Shea, Wes Brown and Mikael Silvestre all available to come into the starting line-up.

There could also be a return for Alan Smith after three months on the sidelines following an unsuccessful comeback from his long-term ankle injury.

Vital Quotes: Alex Ferguson

‘Steve [Coppell] has made a marvellous contribution to the Premiership this year.

What’s encouraging is that he’s done it mostly with British-based players,

‘At a time when there’s a contentious issue over the number of foreigners in our league, he’s done it in a way which is surprising people.’

Manchester United Team News:

Man Utd (from): Kuszczak, Heaton, Neville, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Silvestre, O’Shea, Evra, Heinze, Fletcher, Ronaldo, Scholes, Carrick, Park, Giggs, Richardson, Saha, Solskjaer, Larsson.

Player to watch: Cristiano Ronaldo

The inspired winger missed the routine victory over Charlton last weekend, so may feature despite Tuesday’s Champion’s League trip to Lille on the horizon. Even if the Portuguese magician starts the game on the bench, he has the quality to decide the game when coming on as a substitute.

Reading Team News:

Reading (from): Federici, Hahnemann, de la Cruz, Murty, Ingimarsson, Bikey, Sodje, Shorey, Seol, Oster, Gunnarsson, Convey, Lita, Kitson, Long, Doyle, Hunt, Harper, Sidwell, Little.

Player to watch: Dave Kitson

Having missed both league encounters with the Red Devils, Kitson will be champing at the bit about the prospect of facing the country’s best. The big frontman played a brilliant cameo role against Aston Villa, and scored in the midweek victory in reserve competition.

Match Facts & Stats

The Royals have won five in a row and are unbeaten in eight games in 2007. We’ve qualified for the last 16 for the first time since 1997-98, but we’ve only ever reached the quarter-finals once before in our 136-year history.

I’m not going to highlight Manchester United’s FA Cup history, as there’s not enough space for it! United are hoping to win the Cup for a record 12th occasion!

Ref Watch:

Graham Poll (Hertfordshire).

Poll is the man in the middle at Old Trafford.

Poll has taken charge of the Royals twice this season, for home games against Charlton (2-0) and Blackburn (1-2).

It will be his fourth trip to Old Trafford this season, having previously overseen victories against Manchester City and Liverpool, and their only home defeat against Arsenal.

So far this season he has issued six red cards and 115 yellows in 33 fixtures.

Match Prediction:

This is obviously as tough as they come, but our cup side has given a good account of themselves so far this term. If everyone’s on-form, then the possibility of bringing the Red Devils back to the Madejski is possible. However, I think United will be too strong, and will edge a close encounter. 2-1 to the team in red.