Manchester United's Under-18s have eased through in the FA Youth Cup after seeing off Reading.
United booked their place in the fifth round with a 3-1 win in Berkshire, with Kobbie Mainoo, Sam Mather and Charlie McNeill grabbing the goals.
Having beaten Scunthorpe 4-2 in the previous round, Travis Binnion’s young protégés were looking to get off to the perfect start as they looked to continue their progress in the cup, and they did just that midway through the first half.
Mainoo picked up the ball on the edge of the box and worked his way into the area before supplying a composed finish to put the visitors ahead.
McNeill threatened to double the lead on the half-hour mark only to be denied by a superb challenge, before Mather grabbed United’s second before the break.
The midfielder exchanged passes with McNeill before firing goalwards, with the ball taking a deflection on its way into the back of the net.
And the game was all but decided just a minute later as the visitors claimed a third, with Alejandro Garnacho cutting the ball back for McNeill to turn the ball home, and all-but send United through.
With their passage assured, the second half ambled along until Reading grabbed a consolation with eight minutes to go, with Aston Greaver smashing the ball in to offer up the faintest glimmer of hope for the hosts.
United weren’t to be denied though, and they eased into the fifth round where they will face the winner of Everton’s tie with Sheffield United.
The fifth round is currently scheduled for February 5, with the tie likely to be held at Old Trafford, with the senior team playing the previous night against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup.
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