SHEET HITS THE FAN
Lumley ............................................ 4 Hoilett ............................................ 5 Yiadom ........................................... 4 Holmes ........................................... 4 McIntyre ......................................... 5 Rahman .......................................... 5 Hendrick ......................................... 5 Loum .............................................. 4 Ince ................................................. 5 Joao ............................................... 5 Carroll ............................................ 2
Fornah (Loum, 62) ......................... 5 Mbengue (Hoilett, 68) ................... 5 Bouzanis (Lumley, 75)
Craig (Hendrick, 75)
Long (Joao, 75)
“We have to see what the reality is and we’re still a club under construction,” added Casemiro. “Of course, we’re already respected, the opponents know we’re strong, that we have good dynamics, the manager is doing a good job, the players as well.
“United is a big club. If we look at the titles, it’s the biggest in England.
“In our lives we have to have goals and challenges. It was a challenge for me to keep growing and developing in my career.
“We’re on a good path. This is the way to win titles, but we need to keep growing.” (left)
PAUL INCE admitted he feared the worst for his Reading side when he saw Manchester United’s team-sheet.
Former United midfielder Ince said he spent the week wondering what kind of side Erik ten Hag would field against his Championship side.
And former England captain Ince admmitted his heart sank when he saw Ten Hag had picked a virtually fullstrength side for the FA Cup fourth round tie.
Brazilian midfielder Casemiro’s two goals set the Red Devils side on their way to a comfortable FA Cup win over Reading and kept glory on four fronts in their sights.
by David McDONNELL
Casemiro 55, 58, Fred 66
Mbengue 72
“You plan all week thinking, ‘Is he going to change, is he not going to change, is he going to play?’,” said Ince.
“Then all of a sudden you look at the team-sheet and it’s like, ‘Jesus, he’s going full throttle on this one’.
Unlucky
“But that’s what you want as a player. When you come to Old Trafford, you want to play against the best and we were fortunate to do that.”
Ince felt Reading striker
Andy Carroll was unlucky to be sent off for a second yellow card in the 65th minute, for going through Casemiro.
“I’m disappointed with the referee, because the first one in the corner wasn’t even a yellow card,” said Ince.
“The linesman hasn’t even flagged, but the referee can’t wait to get the yellow card out. So it was a poor, poor decision. But once you’re on a yellow card, you’re on a tightrope. He made a poor tackle on Christian Eriksen, which could easily have been another booking.
“Then the one on Casemiro, he’s sliding but pulls his legs away, because he knows he can’t go through, and the referee plays on.
“Next minute, the crowd goes up a little bit, he turns around and, again, can’t wait to book him. That was probably the only negative from the night.”
Casemiro has started 20 of United’s last 23 games in all competitions and only missed the 3-2 defeat at Arsenal through suspension, his influence and availability proving the wisdom of his signing.
Helping
“I’m happy with my adaptation here, and my teammates and the staff are really helping me,” said Casemiro. “With the English language, it’s been quite hard, but I’m really trying to get better.
“Everyone here has been lovely with me and since the first day I feel at home here. I appreciate all the effort that the club has done to bring me.