Man United hold on for FA win at Reading
{{date|February 27, 2007}}

{{MatchScore|Reading F.C.|2|3|Manchester United}}
{{MatchResult|attendance= 23821
|team_home = Reading F.C.
|goalscorers_home = Kitson (23'), Lita (84')
|team_away = Manchester United
|goalscorers_away = Heinze (2'), Saha (4'), Solskaer (6') 
|bookings_home = de la Cruz (Yellow(20')), Bikey (Yellow (62'))
|bookings_away = None
}}
{{w|Reading F.C.|Reading}} and [[Manchester United]] clashed today in a fifth round {{w|FA cup}} replay at the Madjeski Stadium.  Neither team fielded a full strength side, with {{w|Leroy Lita}} and {{w|Steven Hunt}} von the bench for Reading, and [[Cristiano Ronaldo]] and [[Wayne Rooney]] as substitutes for United.

United started the game with a blitz, scoring 3 goals in the first 6 minutes.  {{w|Gabriel Heinze}} started the scoring by shooting in a {{w|John O'Shea}} cross. Two minutes later, {{w|Louis Saha}} received a long ball from {{w|Rio Ferdinand}} and sent the ball into the back of the net, doubling the lead. {{w|Ole Gunnar Solskjaer}} then scored the 3rd, as he beat the offside trap and curled the ball into the net.  Reading did not give up the fight, and scored on 23 minutes, when {{w|Dave Kitson}} headed home an Ingimarson cross.  The game stayed at the 3-1 scoreline for much of the rest of the game, until 84 minutes, when Leroy Lita scored to force an edgy finish.  Litas powerful header off a Glen Little cross left keeper {{w|Edwin Van Der Sar}} helpless, leaving Reading in sight of extra time.  A shot by {{w|Brynjar Gunnarsson}} which rattled of the crossbar could have caused an amazing comeback, but Manchester United were able to hold on, and advance to the sixth round of the FA cup.

Manchester will face [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] in the next round, who defeated {{w|West Bromwich Albion}} today after a penalty shootout.
==Sources==
*{{source|url=http://home.skysports.com/matchreport.aspx?fxid=317164&CPID=1&channel=|title=United Battle for Cup Victory|author=Alex Livie|pub=Sky Sports|date=February 17, 2007}}
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Reading and Manchester United clashed today in a fifth round Leroy Lita and  von the bench for Reading, and Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney as substitutes for United.

United started the game with a blitz, scoring 3 goals in the first 6 minutes.  John O'Shea cross. Two minutes later, Rio Ferdinand and sent the ball into the back of the net, doubling the lead. Dave Kitson headed home an Ingimarson cross.  The game stayed at the 3-1 scoreline for much of the rest of the game, until 84 minutes, when Leroy Lita scored to force an edgy finish.  Litas powerful header off a Glen Little cross left keeper Brynjar Gunnarsson which rattled of the crossbar could have caused an amazing comeback, but Manchester United were able to hold on, and advance to the sixth round of the FA cup.

Manchester will face Middlesbrough in the next round, who defeated  today after a penalty shootout.
Football match reports Sports England Cristiano Ronaldo Manchester United F.C. Football (soccer) Wayne Rooney United Kingdom Europe