Manchester United’s FA Cup win in May was only their second since the turn of the century. They’ve won the trophy twelve times, a record they share with Arsenal, and this season’s competition represents the chance to become the record holders outright to compliment their league title supremacy.
It’s also a chance to usher in the new era under Jose Mourinho which, in recent weeks, has looked like it could be one of great success.
United are on a seven-game winning streak in all competitions, finally turning around an inconsistent start to the season.
The busy festive schedule as tough on the legs but they’ve come out of that looking better than ever and with the visit of Championship side Reading today, they have the chance to rest some players and give fringe options a chance to impress the Old Trafford faithful.
This is the rotated XI we’ve chosen to get the job done against Jaap Stam’s side…
GK: Sergio Romero
David de Gea hasn’t put a foot wrong in the Man United goal recently but cup action provides the opportunity for Sergio Romero to get some much-needed game time.
A start against Reading keeps him sharp for the possibility that De Gea picks up an injury or loses form dramatically.
The Argentine has started four games for United this season, one in the League Cup and three in the Europa League, keeping a clean sheet on three occasions.
RB: Antonio Valencia
The Manchester United right-back has been in exceptional form in recent weeks and given his natural work ethic and fitness is one of the few we wouldn’t rotate out of the team for the visit of Reading.
His engine is crucial down United’s right-hand side and as an experienced squad member will ensure that there are no slip-ups or cup upsets when Reading come calling.
CB: Chris Smalling
Chris Smalling returned to the starting line-up for United on New Year’s Eve against Middlesbrough and made an appearance off the bench against West Ham. With Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones having played a heavy schedule of games, it makes sense for the England international to come in here and relieve them for a fixture.
Smalling probably hasn’t played as many games as he’d like this season and the FA Cup match represents a good opportunity to show what he can do.
CB: Daley Blind
The versatile Daley Blind hasn’t looked out of place at centre-back this season when called upon, making seven appearances in the position so far. With Eric Bailly on international duty, he’ll be the man for Mourinho to turn to if he does indeed want to rest both Rojo and Jones.
Blind is a reliable figure in the United squad, always performing to a high quality when required, no matter the position or role. Partnering Smalling, they should both have enough to keep Reading quiet in an attacking sense.
LB: Luke Shaw
Luke Shaw hasn’t featured since playing a half of EFL Cup action against West Ham in November, and it’s time for him to take a place back in Mourinho’s XI.
United have had capable replacements at left-back in his absence but the potential Shaw has is significant and perhaps coming into a side that is performing better now will help him raise his game to a level expected of his large transfer fee.
CM: Ander Herrera
Manchester United don’t have great depth at midfield, so to maintain an acceptable level of performance, some of the consistent starters over the festive period will have to remain.
Michael Carrick likely needs the rest more so the responsibility falls on Ander Herrera to keep Manchester United ticking in the heart of the pitch.
The Spaniard has been in excellent form over the last six weeks, notching up three assists and putting in two Man of the Match performances against Tottenham and West Ham.
CM: Marouane Fellaini
Marouane Fellaini has had a frustrating season in a Manchester United. As unpopular with the fans as he’s ever been, he’s struggled for form, made some key errors and generally looked out of place at Old Trafford.
As we mentioned, though, the Man United midfield doesn’t have the greatest level of depth and with Mourinho preferring to play two central midfielders alongside Paul Pogba in recent weeks, Fellaini could come in to get some much-needed game time.
He played against Middlesbrough on New Year’s Eve and actually had a decent game, so perhaps things are starting to turn around for him this season.
AMR: Juan Mata
Juan Mata has played starring roles from the bench in United’s last two fixtures against Middlesbrough and West Ham.
He got an assist in the first before scoring a vital goal at the London Stadium, and after a series of below-par performances prior to them, we reckon that double impact means the attacking midfielder deserves a chance from the start once again.
He certainly has the quality required to punish Reading and another good performance could be a huge confidence boost heading into more Premier League fixtures.
AM: Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba has been a machine this season and we see no reason to rest him against Reading. In fact, he could be vital in inspiring his team-mates to victory in an understrength XI.
The French midfielder has been nothing short of sensational since his world record transfer. With six goals and four assists from midfield this season, he’s been the driving force of Mourinho’s United and a key part of turning their general form around.
AML: Marcus Rashford
Like Juan Mata, Marcus Rashford was a hugely important impact sub in the last match against West Ham and deserves his chance to impress the Old Trafford faithful.
The teenager exposed the Hammers’ backline, finding space and running off his team-mates, offering a different dimension in the final third.
He got the assist for United’s opener and was the spark needed to get a victory. Can he do the same against Reading?
ST: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan Ibrahimovic wants to play every match, that much is clear. Despite being 35, he’s barely been rested this season and will surely want to play his first game in the iconic FA Cup.
Ibrahimovic came to United to win trophies and will want to be an integral part of any cup run. The FA Cup is an important trophy and Mourinho can’t take any risks with his attack.
With 17 goals already this season, Reading could pay the price of the Swede’s hunger to be the main man at United in all competitions.