Goals from Juan Mata and Romelu Lukaku fired Manchester United to a 2-0 win over Reading in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday.
Manchester United made it five wins from five matches under interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, as they defeated Championship outfit Reading 2-0 at Old Trafford this weekend.
The Norwegian made nine changes to the team that had defeated Newcastle United earlier this week and it showed on the field, as Manchester United looked largely disjointed for large phases of the game.
However, a penalty from Juan Mata and a composed strike from Romelu Lukaku in the first-half were enough to see off the Royals and seal the Red Devils’ progression to the fourth round of the competition.
It was an unconvincing display from the home team, with the second division side dominating possession and having more shots at goal, with Sergio Romero being called into action on a number of occasions. Here’s how the fans reacted to United’s latest victory;
Mata ? ✔️
Alexis assist ✔️
Lukaku ? ✔️
Clean sheet✔️
Tahith Chong debut ✔️
On to the next round✔️
5 out of 5 win for Ole✔️
Ole’s first FA Cup match✔️
Glory Glory Man United ?Not a good performance, but got the job done.
United 2 Reading 0#MUFC #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/2TnQZmOE25
— Fergie's Fledglings (@RedDevilTimes) January 5, 2019
Been a bad game too watch if I'm being honest. But at least we're through
— Sumit (@MajesticShaw) January 5, 2019
Though we won, I rather not seeing them playing like this anymore. Complete disaster.
— infinityDoggo (@aohashiro) January 5, 2019
course it is, ugly or not a wins a win but it’s naive to think that playing players with very little match time this season and the amount of changes we made to the team won’t cause us to struggle. You can’t expect to make that many changes and it then to play fluid football
— Michael H.Williams (@mjhw2305) January 5, 2019
All I care about is that the positive vibes are back @ManUtd again from both players/fans and so is the spirit.
Utd are slowly improving again, being more creative/attacking with intent. Ole has made a difference, but we will need a clear out and few arrivals in Summer. #MUFC
— Faizal Perager (@man18united) January 5, 2019
Another clean sheet. Win, Win, Win boys @ManUtd ??❤️?
— coco josberg ? (@josberg1) January 5, 2019
Another game, another @ManUtd win.. could get used to this ? #olegunnarsolskjaer #GGMU
— Mark Tanner (@marktanner1992) January 5, 2019
Phil Neville: “It's probably the poorest of the performances we've seen by United under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but it's five wins out of five now.” #MUFC
— Manchester United (@MUFCScoop) January 5, 2019
In the process, Solskjaer equalled Sir Matt Busby’s record of five wins in first five matches as the Manchester United manager. And the fans were in full praise of the impact that the Baby-faced Assassin has made at Old Trafford;
?? Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s record as @ManUtd manager:
? 5 Games
✅ 5 Wins
? 0 Draws
❌ 0 Defeats⚽ 16 Goals Scored
? 3 Goals Conceded
? 2 Clean Sheets? Ole's at the wheel… pic.twitter.com/HVm8xWVOs6
— SPORF (@Sporf) January 5, 2019
Won 2-0, gave Chong his debut and people are moaning it wasn’t exciting enough. Solskjaer’s raised expectations at an exceptional rate and I love it.
— Sam Homewood (@SamHomewood) January 5, 2019
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer equals Sir Matt Busby's record first five wins as Manchester United manager. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/uf0LM2i0hq
— manutd (@unitedlogy) January 5, 2019
#MUFC fans realising Solskjær might actually be the one ? pic.twitter.com/4IjVEw5fAq
— ShotOnGoal (@shotongoal247) January 5, 2019
Solskjaer immediately applauded the L Stand supporters at full-time. Phenomenal atmosphere from them in a drab FA Cup tie and daft kick-off time. Regardless of winnable opponents, Solskjaer's done fantastically in five games. Result never in jeopardy today, despite display. #mufc
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) January 5, 2019
Love solskjaer being honest says like it is to Norwegian tv that united diden't deserve to win 2 – 0 and team did a poor performance and his biggest test comes next weekend at wembley against Tottenham love this man my kind of manager #mufc #GGMU ?? pic.twitter.com/i6qW1rG4Me
— Morten Frøyland (@mortenfr) January 5, 2019
Bringing that winning feeling back to Old Trafford…5 wins from 5…”so please don’t take my #Solskjaer away” …making a solid case for the permanent position. 1st real test at Wembley, Jan 13. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/kV6ZhUZpkC
— Laszlo Szele (@szele1) January 5, 2019
Academy prospect Tahith Chong made his first-team debut, coming on as a substitute for Juan Mata. And while the youngster did not set the stage on fire on his bow, fans were elated to see another young talent being given a chance in the senior team;
Tahith Chong is coming on for United. Ole sticking to the history and traditions of United. ???? #mufc pic.twitter.com/WWlxtK9Rui
— United Xtra (@utdxtra) January 5, 2019
Delighted for young Tahith Chong, hope he takes the opportunity well! #EmiratesFACup
— Sai Chakrapani (@SaiChakrapani) January 5, 2019
Didn't get to see much from him but I'm pleased Tahith Chong got some minutes today. Vital we give the best possible chance for our youth players to succeed, it's what this club has always been about. #MUFC #MUNREA
— J.A.O (@JuanAnderOnly) January 5, 2019
Just watching Tahith Chong on the pitch and not being scared to express himself is making me happy. The Stretford End are loving it too.
— The Man Utd Way (@TheManUtdWay) January 5, 2019