Real Betis 0 - 1 Manchester United (Aggregate 1 - 5) After this clinical win, United will face another trip to Seville in the next round. They cruised into the quarter-finals of the Europa League with a 5-1 aggregate win at Real Betis. After an open first half, Rashford put United ahead in the 55th minute with a thunderous long-range effort dipping into the bottom corner. Head to European Super Football for more information. UCL and UEL (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com)
Manchester United 3 - 1 Reading
United eased to victory at Old Trafford and maintained progress in four competitions.
Casemiro underlined his importance to Manchester United with two goals as they cruised past Reading to reach the FA Cup fifth round at Old Trafford.
While the Brazil midfielder was brought to the club in August 2022 to deliver steel to the heart of United's midfield, he displayed his effectiveness further forward to break the Royals' resistance early in the second half.
He scooped home the opening goal after racing on to Antony's incisive pass, and doubled United's lead four minutes later, curling in from the edge of the box after collecting Fred's pass.
The midfielder's absence was sharply felt by United during their Premier League defeat at Arsenal last weekend, and he was given a standing ovation by the home supporters who fully recognise his value to the club.
You're just a s*** Andy Carroll
The foul that caused Christian Eriksen’s injury. No card was shown. pic.twitter.com/gkugc8FIEM
— UtdDistrict (@UtdDistrict) January 28, 2023
Reading hopes of mounting a recovery were dented when Andy Carroll was sent off after picking up his second yellow card shortly before Fred backheeled in the hosts' third goal from Bruno Fernandes' cross.
And although Ten Hag's side had opportunities to score a fourth, substitute Amadou Mbengue headed in a consolation for Championship side Reading from Tom Ince's corner.
Footage from BBC Sport - YouTube
One YouTuber commented: "Antony brings so much to the team: pressing, carrying the ball, picking up loose balls, short passing and keeping possession. Wan Bissaka was quality, making those overlapping runs all night and what can you even say about Casemiro, CDM who locks down games for us and also pops up to score two goals for us tonight? What an absolute fantastic player!"
There could be little doubt United deserved their victory after dominating a one-sided affair in which they initially struggled to make the breakthrough because of profligate finishing.
Fernandes twice dragged efforts across goal and wide, while Wout Weghorst, Christian Eriksen and Marcus Rashford all had opportunities to break the deadlock.
When United did get the ball in the back of the net VAR came to Reading's rescue, with Netherlands forward Weghorst ruled offside before he nodded the ball in Rashford's direction, with the England striker heading in at the back post in vain.
Casemiro quality shines through
Casemiro's quality came to the fore after the break. While he is renowned for breaking up play and his contribution in front of United's penalty area, he used his experience to drive forward from midfield and showed the nous to deliver a wonderful finish from Antony's pass.
His second came from much further out as the home side penned Reading in their area before his international team-mate Fred provided a sprinkling of samba flair with a sublime finish to ensure a comfortable passage for United.
More reaction
Erik ten Hag gave his thoughts on United's win. Footage from ESPN UK - YouTube
Liam, a United fan, told us: "A nice and comfortable win for us. That was great to see."
Amy added: "Can we win the Mickey Mouse Treble this season? Can we win the proper Treble next season? Onwards and upwards for us."
More stories from the world's greatest competiton
Fourth round
Preston 0 - 3 Tottenham Hotspur Spurs were up for the cup. Two excellent strikes by Son Heung-min and a debut goal for Arnaut Danjuma were enough to beat Preston and send Tottenham through in the FA Cup. Fa Cup: Spurs eventually cruise past Preston (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com)
Southampton 2 - 1 Blackpool. Southampton's Romain Perraud scored either side of half-time as his side survived a fightback by Championship strugglers Blackpool to reach the next round of the cup. Fa Cup: Southampton hold on (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com)
Manchester City 1 - 0 Arsenal.The Fa Cup 4th round schedule began with an interesting match in Manchester. Fa Cup: City edge out Arsenal (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com)
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