MANCHESTER UNITED
De Gea
Rafael, Smalling, Evans, Evra
Valencia, Carrick, Anderson, Young
Rooney, Van Persie
READING
Taylor
Kelly, Pearce, Mariappa, Harte
Leigertwood, Akpan
McCleary, McAnuff, Robson-Kanu
Le Fondre
Sir Alex Ferguson admitted that full-backs Patrice Evra and Rafael were knackered after the 2-2 draw with Chelsea last Sunday, but are not expected to be rested after nearly a week off between games.
Darren Fletcher (bowel condition) will miss the remainder of the season, while Nani (hamstring), Paul Scholes (knee) and Phil Jones (ankle) are all doubtful and will undergo late fitness tests.
Ahead of his first match in charge of Reading's first team, caretake boss Eamonn Dolan has a few injury concerns to contend with ahead of the trip to Old Trafford.
Goalkeeper Adam Frederici (ankle) looks set to be out until the end of March and he is joined by Jimmy Kebe (groin) and Pavel Pogrebnyak (three-match suspension).
Jason Roberts (hip) continues to miss out, but Alex McCarthy has been back in training and looks to be touch-and-go due to a lack of match fitness.
DID YOU KNOW?
Following Brian McDermott's sacking, academy coach Eamonn Dolan will take charge of his first match for Reading's senior side on Saturday.
The Royals have not beaten Manchester United since 1927 when they triumphed over the Red Devils in the FA Cup.
Reading come into this match on the back of five consecutive defeats in all competitions.
The Royals have already lost twice to United so far this season, losing 4-3 at the Madejski Stadium in the league and 2-1 at Old Trafford in the FA Cup.
United have come out with three points in 14 of their last 16 Premier League matches.
The only team to beat the hosts in their last 20 fixtures is Real Madrid.
Reading have completed the least amount of passes in the league with 69 per cent meeting the intended target.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side, on the other hand, have completed 85.7% of their passes, a stat bettered only by Arsenal.
Robin van Persie has scored just one goal since the end of January, coming against Everton over a month ago on February 10. He is 15/8 with bet365 to score two or more goals on Saturday.
Prediction
There are plenty things to consider coming into this fixture, with United looking to banish those recent Real Madrid and Chelsea results from memory and Reading being managerless heading into a vital relegation-threatened run-in. This match seems to have only one likely outcome; a comfortable home win.
Editor's Prediction
Man Utd. 4-0 Reading
