Manchester United vs Reading prediction, odds and betting tips

Manchester United will be looking to maintain their excellent recent form when they host Reading in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday night.

Manchester United vs Reading odds

Here are the latest match odds for Manchester United vs Reading from bet365.

• Manchester United: 1/7
• Draw: 7/1
• Reading: 16/1

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Manchester United vs Reading predictions

Manchester United march on. A 3-2 defeat by Arsenal last weekend was a setback for Erik ten Hag’s side, who are now surely out of the Premier League title race.

But United responded to that loss in impressive fashion, easing past Nottingham Forest in the first leg of their EFL Cup semi-final on Wednesday. 

A 3-0 aggregate advantage at the halfway stage of that tie means United will not be distracted by thoughts of Tuesday’s second leg when they host Reading this weekend.

This could still be a fantastic season for the Red Devils. The title was not a realistic objective at the start of 2022/23, so there is no shame in a failure to keep pace at the very top of the division.

United are on course for a top-four finish and they are bet365’s favourites to win the EFL Cup. They are still in the FA Cup and will face Barcelona in the Europa League next month.  

Saturday’s match is unlikely to cause United too many difficulties, even if Ten Hag shuffles his pack for the visit of Championship opposition.

Reading have been inconsistent throughout the campaign and they will struggle to keep United’s in-form attack quiet at Old Trafford.

Manchester United vs Reading betting tips

Manchester United are likely to rest two or three regular starters, but they should still have too much quality for Reading.

Manchester United win both halves – 11/10 (bet365)

That 3-2 loss to Arsenal was a rare blip for United, who have won 10 of their last 12 matches in all competitions.

The manner in which they brushed Forest aside in midweek shows that United have been able to put their defeat at the Emirates Stadium out of their minds.

Steve Cooper’s side have a decent home record and they had been in decent form, but Forest simply could not live with Ten Hag’s team.

Reading will face similar struggles here. They have not won any of their last four matches in the Championship, culminating in a 4-0 thrashing by Stoke City last time out.

Paul Ince will expect his team to compete for every ball at Old Trafford, but a comparative lack of quality will probably prove their undoing.

Manchester United made a quick start against Forest on Wednesday and they will look to do the same here, roared on by a home crowd that is enjoying watching their team play right now.

With fringe members of the squad keen to make a statement, do not expect United to let up at any stage.

After just one win in their last 10 league games on the road, Reading could be in for a difficult evening.

Goal after 77:59 – 5/6 (bet365)

Throughout Alex Ferguson’s tenure, Manchester United were renowned for scoring late goals. On the evidence of the campaign to date, the phrase ‘Ten Hag Time’ could soon enter the English football lexicon.

United have scored a Premier League-high nine goals between minutes 76 and 90 this season. That has been their strongest period in games, whereas their weakest is the first quarter of an hour (United have scored two goals and conceded five in that timeslot).

Matches involving Reading have also featured plenty of late drama in 2022/23. 

The Royals have scored seven goals and conceded nine from the 76th minute to the 90th. In no other 15-minute slot have they scored or conceded more. 

If United are being held by Reading going into the closing stages, they will throw everything at their opponents in a bid to grab a decisive goal.

But even if the hosts are comfortably ahead, they will not necessarily take their foot off the gas. In four of their last nine outings, United have scored in the last 15 minutes despite already being ahead.

And of their last 12 matches overall, the Red Devils have found the back of the net in that period in nine of them.

Alejandro Garnacho to score any time – 21/10 (bet365)

Betting on individual players in FA Cup ties can be a risk. It is much harder to predict a Premier League team’s starting XI in this competition than it is in the top flight.

If Ten Hag opts to select his strongest possible side for Saturday’s encounter, Garnacho will be on the bench.

But there is reason to believe the Argentine will be handed an opportunity to feature from the first whistle.

United have faced lower-league teams in cup competitions twice already this term, and Garnacho started against both Burnley and Charlton Athletic.

Ten Hag will be tempted to rest Marcus Rashford despite his recent goalscoring heroics, and the 18-year-old prospect is the most obvious replacement on the left-hand side of the attack.

Garnacho’s attitude has been called into question in the past, but there is no doubting his ability.

He scored a fine goal in the 2-1 victory over Fulham in November and shows no fear whenever he plays for United.

Even if Garnacho does not start, he is likely to get some significant game time off the bench. This feels like a match which is tailor-made for the Argentine to show what he can do.

How to watch Manchester United vs Reading

• Location: Old Trafford, Manchester, England.
• Date and time: Saturday 28 January 2023, 8pm.
• How to watch: ITV4.

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