Barclays Premier League

FT: MAN UTD 1 READING 0

United move 15 points clear of second-placed Manchester City with victory over the Royals in a lacklustre match that had more of the feel of a pre-season friendly and less of a Premier League match affecting both ends of the table. The only goal came on 21 minutes and followed an incisive run forward from Rio Ferdinand. The ball broke to Wayne Rooney on the edge of the area and his shot took a wicked looping deflection off defender Alex Pearce before ending up in the net. Reading might have thought with luck like that they could be on the end of a hiding, but the match panned out totally differently. Instead, the home side played well within themselves and let the visitors call the tune without having the quality to really unlock their defence. The best effort from the Royals came from Hal Robson-Kanu, whose long-range curler just missed the post. If he was watching at home, axed Reading manager Brian McDermott would have been proud of his charges and caretaker boss Eamonn Dolan can have no complaints about the work-rate displayed by his side. But with other results going against them earlier in the day, the seven points between Reading and safety is surely too big a gap to bridge.

VAN PERSIE SHOOTS OVER

A flowing United passing move ends with Kagawa crossing from the right and Van Persie attempting an acrobatic right-footed volley which sails into the crowd behind the goal.

STOPPAGE TIME

There will be a minimum of five minutes of added time. An audible “what?” from United's fans echoes around Old Trafford.

READING SUBSTITUTION

Reading make their final switch, with Sean Morrison replacing Kelly.

ROONEY SHOOTS OVER

United finally mean business. Welbeck pulls the ball back for Rooney, who fires over from 20 yards. Shinji Kagawa then replaces Anderson for the home side.

TAYLOR ON HIS TOES

A rare United threat sees a first-time pass from Van Persie put Giggs in the clear. The Welshman's shot deflects off Mariappa and Taylor saves with his legs.

HESITATION FROM DE GEA

De Gea causes some consternation in the United defence by refusing to come out and claim a through ball. Vidic eventually runs the ball to safety, with the Spaniard happy to remain totally unemployed between the posts.

DO YOU GET CHIPS WITH THAT?

Rooney exchanges passes with Anderson, but his ambitious chip from 25 yards clears the crossbar by some distance.

UNITED SUBSTITUTION

Ashley Young is replaced by Michael Carrick for United. Expect Sir Alex to withdraw the former Villa man from the England squad later.

CAN ROYALS MAKE HISTORY?

The last time Manchester United led in a league game at half-time and lost was 29 years ago. Mark Hughes gave the Red Devils a first-half lead against Ipswich on May 7, 1984, but United ended up losing 2-1 to strikes from Mich D'Avray and Alan Sunderland.

SHUDDERING COLLISION

McCleary overruns the ball and both he and Ashley Young are hurt in the resulting collision.

DOUBLE SUBSTITUTION

Reading make a double change, with Adam Le Fondre and Nick Blackman replacing Robson-Kanu and Hunt.

ROONEY HAS A HEADACHE

Lee Mason stops play after the back of Wayne Rooney's head is caught by the point of Pearce's elbow. It was purely accidental, but it hurt nonetheless.

NOW THAT'S A TATTOO

Hunt needs a change of shirt and reveals a huge tattoo on his back reminiscent of those sported by Robert De Niro in the film Cape Fear. Max Cady and Sir Alex Ferguson, there are two people not to mess with.

THUNDEROUS SHOT FROM RVP

Van Persie unleashes a blistering 25-yard free-kick that is well parried by Taylor, diving to his left.

WELBECK SHOT BLOCKED

There's Van Persie. He's just tried a shot that went out for a Reading throw-in. Welbeck's later effort is better directed and deflects off Shorey for a corner.

TIMELY TACKLE BY KARACAN

Young turns impressively and links up with Buttner, who surges forward into the area before being felled by an excellent challenge from Karacan. Both players come up limping, but Buttner opts against treatment.

READING BOOKING

A lunging tackle from Kelly catches Young on the ankle and that is the second caution of the campaign for the Irishman.

WHERE'S ROBIN?

If you had not studied the teamsheet today you would imagine Robin van Persie had been rested. I cannot recall the 19-goal striker touching the ball in the first 55 minutes in any meaningful areas of the pitch.

TIME FOR A CHANGE

Fergie cannot be happy with what he is seeing here. Reading are bossing the game, albeit without creating a meaningful threat. Expect a substitution or two from the home side before long.

PLAYING FOR PRIDE

If Reading lose by two goals tonight they will drop to the bottom of the table below Queens Park Rangers.

SERIOUS PENALTY CLAIMS

Reading threaten from a right-wing corner. Vidic appears to push Mariappa over but, surprise, surprise, Mr Mason rules it not to be a penalty.

HERE WE GO AGAIN

Reading kick off the second half. Neither side has made changes at the break.

HT: MAN UTD 1 READING 0

Well, what a nondescript half of football that was, such a contrast to the pulsating first 45 minutes these two sides served up at the Madejski Stadium in December. United lead thanks to a deflected effort from Wayne Rooney midway through the half, his shot looping up off defender Alex Pearce and ending up in the net. It took Reading more than half an hour to attempt a shot, but when it came it was almost something very special, with Hal Robson-Kanu's excellent 25-yard curler missing the post by a whisker. United look like they are ready for their summer holidays already. There could hardly be any less intensity about the play of the champions-elect and you feel Mr Ferguson might have something to say about that at half-time.

READING BOOKING

McAnuff wants a free-kick for a perceived foul by Young on the edge of the area. Mr Mason disagrees and then cautions Hunt for a studs-up tackle moments later.

PROMISING FROM READING

Karacan just over-hits his pass to Robson-Kanu, who is left with no other option than delivering a pass across the face of goal with no team-mate there to profit.

POOR TRY FROM WELBECK

Welbeck takes the ball down expertly inside the area, but his low shot is scuffed straight at a Reading defender and the visitors clear.

ROBSON-KANU GOES CLOSE

What an effort from Robson-Kanu. He collects a pass from McCleary and curls a wonderful shot from distance that almost shaves De Gea's right-hand post

EASY SAVE FOR TAYLOR

So United have not faced a shot of any description - even one that ends up by the corner flag - in the last two hours of league football at Old Trafford. Van Persie shoots from distance, Taylor saves easily.

TAME SHOT FROM ROONEY

Rooney tries a shot from 25 yards which lacks the venom to trouble Taylor. We still wait for a shot from Reading. Norwich didn't muster one in 90 minutes when they visited Old Trafford.

WELL WIDE FROM WELBECK

Welbeck goes on a searing run down the centre of the pitch, but ends up screwing a shot well wide of the target.

GOAL: MAN UTD 1 READING 0

United are in front. A great dribble out of defence by Ferdinand ends with Rooney getting the ball and his shot deflects off Pearce and loops into the corner.

TAYLOR TO THE RESCUE

A wonderful defence-splitting pass by Giggs looks to have put in Young, but Taylor rushes out of his goal and heads the ball to safety from just outside his own area.

VOLLEY OVER BY WELBECK

Rooney's cross is headed away by Pearce but only as far as Welbeck, who volleys over the crossbar from the edge of the box.

LACK OF URGENCY FROM UNITED

This match is very reminiscent of United's last home league game with Norwich. They were very ordinary and almost disinterested that day and still ended up winning 4-0. Expect a similar outcome.

YOUNG CURLER GOES WIDE

The first chance falls United's way. A great switch of play from Ferdinand finds Young in space on the left and he cuts in before curling a shot wide of the far upright.

ALEXANDER WHO?

Alexander Buttner, United's left-back, is a 24-year-old Dutchman who signed from Vitesse Arnhem in August last year. His lone Premier League start prior to tonight was in the 4-0 win over Wigan on Sep. 15, a game which saw him net his first United goal.

STARING DOWN THE BARREL

Results earlier in the day could hardly have gone any worse for Reading. Wins for Southampton and Aston Villa mean the Royals kicked off this evening seven points adrift of safety.

CHANGE TO TODAY'S REFEREE

There is a change to the advertised referee, with Lee Mason having replaced Mark Clattenburg, who hurt his calf officiating at Ewood Park on Wednesday. United might be happy, because the last time Clattenburg took charge of a Premier League game at Old Trafford Manchester City won 6-1.

FAR FROM OVERAWED

Smalling almost makes a mess of Shorey's cross from the left, but Ferdinand clears the danger. It's been a solid start from the visitors.

IS FERDINAND RIO BOUND?

Sir Alex was not best pleased Rio Ferdinand was picked in the England squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers. Is he making a point today by selecting the central defender in his starting line-up? It wouldn't be a surprise to see Rio withdraw from the international squad after the exertions of this match.

HERE WE GO

United kick off, attacking the goal to our right.

TODAY'S TEAMS

Man Utd: De Gea, Smalling, Ferdinand, Vidic, Buttner, Welbeck, Giggs, Anderson, Young, Rooney, van Persie. Subs: Lindegaard, Evans, Valencia, Hernandez, Carrick, Powell, Kagawa. Reading: Taylor, Kelly, Pearce, Mariappa, Shorey, Karacan, Leigertwood, McAnuff, Robson-Kanu, McCleary, Hunt. Subs: McCarthy, Gunter, Le Fondre, Morrison, Harte, Akpan, Blackman. Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear)

TEAM NEWS

United make five changes to the side that beat Norwich in their last league game. In come Butter, Ferdinand, Giggs, Young and Welbeck. Out go Evra, Evans, Valencia, Carrick and Kagawa. Reading caretaker boss Eamonn Dolan makes three changes, with Shorey, Karacan and McCleary replacing Harte, Akpan and Le Fondre.

PREVIEW

United may be top of the table and on course for a record 20th league title, but for once this match is not all about them. It is never easy to be stunned by what goes on in the Premier League these days, but the sacking of Reading boss Brian McDermott on Monday appeared to be one of the harshest dismissals of this or any other season. Taking his side from nowhere to the promised land, it was no great surprise that the Royals have struggled in the Premier League this season, but Reading's Russian owner Anton Zingarevich felt a change was necessary after home defeats by Wigan and Aston Villa. While few could agree with the timing of the decision, United will need to be wary because there is every chance that Reading's players will go out and give their all in this game in honour of their former boss. Academy boss Eamonn Dolan has been put in temporary charge with Paolo Di Canio, latterly of Swindon, the bookmakers' favourite to be given the job on a permanent basis. The meeting between these sides at the Madejski Stadium four months ago produced one of the games of the season, United coming from behind to win 4-3, with all seven goals coming in the first half. It is hard to envisage anything other than a goal-fest again here today. But with a home defeat by Real Madrid in the Champions League being followed by their throwing away a two-goal lead against Chelsea in the FA Cup, you feel United's players will go out feeling they have just as a big a point to prove as their Reading counterparts and that could be very ominous for the visitors. Today's game kicks off at 1730GMT, so join us around 30 minutes beforehand when we should have the confirmed team news, which will be followed by a match commentary.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

It's not that easy to gauge quite what side Sir Alex Ferguson will field today, but both his big guns Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney will be anxious to make their mark should they get the start. Van Persie has 19 goals to his name in the Premier League, but a barren run recently has seen him fall three behind Liverpool's Luis Suarez in the race for the Golden Boot. The Dutchman has failed to find the net in his last six outings, having scored 12 in the 14 matches prior to that. Despite netting against Chelsea in the FA Cup last weekend, you can bet Rooney will still be smarting after being omitted from the starting line-up for the Champions League match with Real Madrid and will be on a mission from now until the rest of the season to prove his manager wrong. Reading will be looking to Adam Le Fondre for goals. The Manchester United supporter scored in the meeting between the sides earlier in the season and is the Royals' leading scorer with ten goals, despite 17 of his 27 appearances having come as a substitute.

HEAD TO HEAD

Meetings between these two sides over the years have been few and far between, but it is no surprise to learn that United have had the edge. They have won three of the five head-to-head meetings, with the other two being drawn. At Old Trafford there has been one United win and one draw. The last meeting in Manchester on Aug. 12, 2007, ended goalless, something of a contrast to the game between the sides at the Madejski Stadium last December. United twice came from behind to win that match 4-3 with goals from Anderson (13 minutes), Wayne Rooney (pen 16 and 30) and Robin van Persie (34). Reading's scorers were Hal Robson-Kanu (8), Adam Le Fondre (19) and Sean Morrison (23).

FORM GUIDE

United started the weekend top of the table with 71 points from 28 games, 12 points clear of second-placed Manchester City. Reading are next to bottom, with 23 points from 29 games and are four points from safety. The Royals have won just one of 14 away from home (a 2-1 victory at Newcastle on Jan. 19) and have lost their last four overall, the 2-1 home defeat to Aston Villa last weekend spelling the end for Brian McDermott. By contrast, United have won their last five, beating Norwich 4-0 at home last time out in the league without needing to get out of first gear. They have won nine of the last ten and 14 of their last 16, drawing the other two. At home, United have won 13 of 14, the only reverse being the 3-2 defeat by Tottenham on Sep. 29. Since that setback they have won 11 successive games at Old Trafford and are the highest scorers at home in the Premier League with 38 goals.

EARLY TEAM NEWS

United winger Nani suffered a hamstring injury against Chelsea in the FA Cup last weekend and misses the game. Phil Jones is still sidelined having injured his ankle against Reading in the FA Cup a month ago and midfielder Paul Scholes (knee) is also out. Reading are again missing goalkeeper Adam Federici, who has an ankle problem. Pavel Pogrebnyak serves the last of his three-match ban and Jimmy Kebe (groin) and Jason Roberts (hip) are ruled out by injury, with the latter unlikely to feature again this season.

MAN IN THE MIDDLE

Taking charge of today's game is Mark Clattenburg, who has been a member of the elite panel of Premier League referees since 2004. This is the 18th top-flight appointment of the season for the Tyne & Wear whistleblower, who has produced 56 yellow cards and dismissed six players, joint most along with Anthony Taylor. Unusually, five of the players to receive red cards from Clattenburg have come from the home side, the last being West Brom's Goran Popov against Tottenham a month ago. Clattenburg took charge of the match between Norwich and Southampton last weekend and saw himself surrounded by visiting players after the final whistle following his decision to award the Canaries the softest of late penalties. His assistants today are Stephen Child and Dave Bryan, while Phil Dowd is the fourth official.