Manchester United fans should be excited about a new partnership.
Sancho sits it out
Jadon Sancho is back in contention for Manchester United, but that doesn’t mean he is in a position to be involved yet. The England international has not played a competitive match in three months, and it is clear that he will be eased back into action after such a long time out.
Many people seemed to expect him to play some role against Reading last night, but his absence served as another reminder of how much work he still has to do before he is trusted in the starting lineup again.
A bench role against Nottingham Forest next week appears to be the most sensible way of getting him back up to speed, but expectations of him when he finally returns to the pitch must be managed carefully.
Read next: How the United players rated vs Reading
Casemiro
It almost feels like every time Casemiro takes to the pitch, he does so with the sole aim of destroying the stereotypes about his style of play.
The Brazilian joined United billed as the answer to their defensive midfield issues, and while he has done that, he has also given them an extra threat in their attacking play.
Casemiro shone again against Reading as the anchor to United’s immense attacking talents, but as the frustrations grew, he took it upon himself to break from the shackles and solve the problems himself.
A superb forward run saw him latch onto Antony’s excellent defense-splitting pass, and on a night where United had rushed their chances, he had the calmness to delicately dink the ball over Joe Lumley in the Reading net.
Four minutes later, he opted for a more direct approach. This time, he launched a fierce low effort at goal that found the far corner of the net courtesy of a slight deflection.
There have been many times when Casemiro has saved the day with his defensive contributions, but this time he set the tone with what he did at the other end of the pitch. Again.
It’ll be all right on the night
For the better part of a decade, United’s right wing has been a problem. On Saturday night, it proved to be a persistent one for Reading.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been reborn in recent weeks and arguably put in his best-attacking display in a United shirt as he tormented the opposition defense with his perpetual bursts forward.
A key part of that transformation has been the partnership he has struck up with Antony, as the duo linked-up time and time again to pose a regular threat throughout the match.
Antony’s desire to play quick passes with his teammates, as well as a tendency to cut inside onto his dominant foot, has proven to be exactly what Wan-Bissaka needed. He has benefited not only from the extra space in the final third but also from the fact that he frequently has a teammate close by to play the ball with if a cross into the box isn’t on.
There can be no ignoring the shortcomings of the full-back himself for large parts of his Old Trafford career, but it is important to remember much of it was played without a regular right-sided forward to support him in his role.
Antony hasn’t only solved that right-wing option; he might have solved the right-back issue too.
Up for the Cup
It was clear from the moment the team news dropped that Ten Hag is targeting success in the FA Cup this season, and you can understand why. United is the second-highest-ranked side left in the competition following Arsenal’s exit, and they have already beaten the only side left above them in Man City this year.
In the long run, United’s aim is to challenge for the Premier League and the Champions League, but they are in no position to turn their noses up at the silverware that is on the line.
Winning breeds success, and victory in the domestic cups this season could provide the springboard for any future triumphs that they have.
A warm reception
Reading manager Paul Ince is one of the great modern United midfielders, but he was not always remembered fondly as one, given that he played for Liverpool after leaving the club.
He was taunted by United fans when he managed Blackburn against them at Ewood Park, though it appears that enough time has passed now for him to be appreciated by a large chunk of the fan base.
The 55-year-old was given a warm reception as he headed out of the Old Trafford tunnel pre-match and enjoyed a warm embrace with Ten Hag on the touchline pre-match.
There would be another at full-time, given that he didn’t orchestrate an upset.
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