Man Utd squad confirmed for Reading FA Cup tie

Manchester United host Championship relegation battlers Reading in the third round of the FA Cup at Old Trafford this lunchtime.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to make it five wins from five after a very impressive start as caretaker manager.

The Norwegian has already announced that both Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku will start today’s game against the Royals, whilst he has also said that he will make a few further changes from the side that won 2-0 at Newcastle United in the Premier League on Wednesday.

Those changes could include two teenage debutants as both Tahith Chong and James Garner have both been included in the provisional matchday squad by Ole.

19-year-old Chong actually travelled with the squad to the Cardiff City and Newcastle games but didn’t make the matchday squad on either occasion. With Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard splitting time down the right wing over the festive period, it’s possible that the teenager is handed a start in our front three alongside Sanchez and Lukaku later today.

James Garner is a central midfielder. With Paul Pogba picking up a knock on Wednesday he has been rested for today’s game. So have Nemanja Matic and Ander Herrera, who have started all four games under Solskjaer so far. This could open up a place for the 17-year-old to be named in the starting lineup today, though he will be competing with the likes of Andreas Pereira, Fred and Marouane Fellaini, all of whom are looking for more playing time.

David de Gea has also been left at home, so Sergio Romero can expect to face the Championship side, with Lee Grant on the bench. Phil Jones and Victor Lindelof are the only centre-backs named in the squad, with Eric Bailly suspended and both Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo out injured. Ole Gunnar Solksjaer said that Matteo Darmian was the backup centre-back for the Newcastle game so the Italian is likely to play the same role this afternoon.

The confirmed Manchester United squad for today’s game is as follows:

Sergio Romero, Lee Grant, Diogo Dalot, Ashley Young, Phil Jones, Victor Lindelof, Matteo Darmian, Luke Shaw, James Garner, Scott McTominay, Andreas Pereira, Marouane Fellaini, Fred, Juan Mata, Alexis Sanchez, Tahith Chong, Marcus Rashford, Romelu Lukaku, Anthony Martial