Mainoo And Maguire To Start, Rashford On The Bench: United’s Predicted XI To Face Reading

Mainoo And Maguire To Start, Rashford On The Bench: United’s Predicted XI To Face Reading

After fielding a strong eleven in the Carabao Cup midweek, United manager Erik ten Hag is expected to rotate for the FA Cup clash against Reading today.

Tom Heaton is likely to put on the gloves, with David De Gea being rested. Aaron Wan-Bissaka may stay in the side at right-back, though, with Diogo Dalot still out injured, and Tyrell Malacia could keep his place ahead of Luke Shaw on the opposite flank.

Club captain Harry Maguire may be recalled ahead of Lisandro Martinez, with the England international partnering Victor Lindelof in the centre of defence.


Kobbie Mainoo could be handed another opportunity by ten Hag after being given sixty minutes against Charlton earlier this month. The 17-year-old is expected to be joined in midfield by Fred and Scott McTominay.

Up front, Wout Weghorst is likely to lead the line in Anthony Martial’s absence, but Alejandro Garnacho and Anthony Elanga could both come into the side ahead of Marcus Rashford and Antony.

Manchester United’s Predicted XI To Play Reading:

Heaton, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Malacia, McTominay, Fred, Mainoo, Elanga, Weghorst, Garnacho

David Tully

David Tully

David has worked as a football reporter for the last fifteen years. Having started as an intern at Snack Media, he then went on to become a freelancer, working on various different sites. At the start of 2023, he took up his current role as content writer for National World's Football News Network.