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As it happenedended

Juan Mata and Romelu Lukaku combine as Manchester United cruise past Reading

Relive all the action from Old Trafford and the rest of the FA Cup third round

Kieran Jackson
Saturday 05 January 2019 15:31 GMT
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Man United v Reading: FA Cup match preview

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's winning start to life at the Manchester United helm continued but the FA Cup third-round triumph against embattled Reading was the caretaker manager's most unconvincing performance to date.

United racked up their fifth straight victory since the Norwegian replaced Jose Mourinho, although the Royals provided a test that belied their place five points adrift of safety in the Championship.

Reading arrived at Old Trafford without a win in their previous 10 matches but proved a handful on an afternoon that saw United emerge 2-0 victors thanks to Juan Mata's penalty - after a lengthy video assistant referee delay - and a cool Romelu Lukaku strike.

PA

Relive all the action below

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2 minutes: Manchester United 0-0 Reading

Bright start from the visitors, who are dominating possession and pressing United very high up the pitch. 

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 12:33

GOAL! West Ham 1-0 Birmingham City (Arnautovic 2') 

We have our first goal of the day, as Marko Arnautovic reacts quickest to head home from close range after a smart save from Birmingham keeper Lee Camp. 

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 12:34

7 minutes: Manchester United 0-0 Reading 

United win in a free-kick in a dangerous area, and McTominay has a chance in the box but in the process of winning the header he bangs his head against a Reading player. Reading clear, but McTominay is down clutching his head.

Play has paused whilst the youngster receives treatment. 

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 12:39

13 minutes: Manchester United 0-0 Reading 

Another break in play here as Reading's Tiago Ilori recieves treatment after a heavy fall. 

Reading have more than matches their opponents so far though - even game. 

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 12:43

16 minutes: Manchester United 0-0 Reading 

Alexis Sanchez goes close after a threaded ball to him from Fred. Just outside the box, the Chilean's right-footed curling effort goes just over Anssi Jaakkola's goal. 

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 12:46

17 minutes: Manchester United 0-0 Reading 

The ball breaks to Reading right-back Andy Yiadom in the box but his effort is high and wide. 

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 12:47

Meanwhile, not an awful lot happening in the other six games, which aside from West Ham's game are goalless. Here's Arnautovic's goal for West Ham though: 

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 12:50

20 minutes: Manchester United 0-0 Reading

Drama at Old Trafford as VAR is in action!

Mata goes down in the box and the ball breaks to Fred, who slots home but is in an offside position. I believe they're checking the offside call, as well as the potential penalty. 

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 12:51

21 minutes: PENALTY TO MANCHESTER UNITED! 

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 12:51

GOAL! Manchester United 1-0 Reading (Mata 22')

After a long delay, VAR gives the pnealty for what was a clear foul on Mata. 

The Spaniard himself steps up and sends Jaakkola the wrong way, down low to the left. 

A killer blow for Reading, who have started this game really well. 

Kieran Jackson5 January 2019 12:52

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