Manchester United 4-0 Reading: FA Cup third round - as it happened

Well that brings an end to our coverage from the game at Old Trafford. We'll be back late with live coverage of Preston North End vs Arsenal from 4pm. But until then, goodbye.

Full time: Manchester United 4-0 Reading

Reading's misery is over and Manchester United collect an eighth straight win and cruise into the fourth round. The headlines belong to Wayne Rooney, who goes level with Sir Bobby Charlton on 249 United goals. Anthony Martial doubled the lead before Marcus Rashford's late brace secured the win. Jaap Stam's side rarely threatened throughout the 90 minutes but they can return to their promotion challenge.

Liam Kelly's free-kick gives Reading a chance to get a consolation but his effort is headed behind by Obita. Not been at the races from the first minute, have the away side. But of course, promotion is the priority this season. They trail second place Newcastle but six points with a game in hand in the Championship.

A look at that horrible Al Habsi error.

Rashford extends the United lead with an easy finish.

GOAL! Manchester United 4-0 Reading (Marcus Rashford)

The wheels have come off Reading now. Al-Habsi miss-kicks as he ball rolls into his own six-yard box and Rashford has the simple task of smashing into an empty net. Perfect afternoon for United.

GOAL! Manchester United 3-0 Reading (Marcus Rashford)

Cool finish from the England striker as United put the tie firmly to bed. Michael Carrick plays a 30-yard pass to Rashford, who races past Gunter and passes beyond Al-Habsi. Caps what has been a polished United display.

Danny Williams takes aim from 25 yards after a long passing move, but it goes well wide. Sergio Romero has not been tested once this afternoon, as we enter the final 20 minutes.

Bit of pressure from Reading as Kermogant is denied by Smalling's block before Jones gets his foot in to deny McCleary an effort from point blank range. Good spell from the visitors.

It has been a matter and when, rather than if with regard to a third United goal and Reading somehow survive again. Rooney and Rashford link up to deadly effect, but Ver der Berg gets a toe on the ball to deny the latter making it three.

Rooney should have the United goal record. Al-Habsi gets down to deny Fellaini and the loose ball falls to Rooney, who is denied by the leg of the Reading 'keeper.

Ashley Young is a very lucky boy. He dives in on Jordan Obita and leaves a foot in, but is shown only a yellow card. Bit of a let off for the full-back.

Low shot from Michael Carrick, who is back on after being patched up, beaten away from Al-Habsi. Reading looking a bit more solid but United still creating chances.

Break in play after a clash between Kelly and Carrick, which has left the United midfielder needing treated for a gash on his head. Both players look ok to continue. Let's hope the respective medical teams have assessed them properly.

Liam Kelly has impressed in attempting to get Reading back into the game.

Can Rooney create history today? One chances comes and goes for him as, on the stretch, he diverts Young's cross over the top.

Jordan Obita on and Tyler Blackett off for Reading at the start of the second half. No changes for United.

Half time: Manchester United 2-0 Reading

Jose Mourinho is heading for an eighth win in a row and into the fourth round of the FA Cup, after United eased into a comfortable lead over an overwhelmed Reading. Wayne Rooney is the man of the hour after equaling Sir Bobby Charlton's goalscoring record, before Anthony Martial made it two. Jaap Stam's return to Old Trafford has turned somewhat sour.

Chances aplenty for United first as Evans blocks Mata's effort and then Young's cross just evades Rooney. Now Mata skews over. Reading have improved as the half has progressed, but they've allowed United continual efforts on goal.

Anthony Martial puts United into a position of comfort with the second goal.

Al-Habsi wining the duel with Rashford, who is denied again after being played through by Rooney. The Reading stopper did well to stay on his feet and the Royals remain in the tie.

Rooney aiming to go clear of Charlton this afternoon and he tries a little chip which sails over Al-Habsi's goal.

Marcus Rashford should have his first goal since September. Martial finds the England man, who rounds Al-Habsi but only finds the side-netting from a tightish angle. Reading cut apart, again.

Another half chance for Reading. Van der berg volleys a right-wing corner across goal and Liam Moore halfheartedly sticks out a leg and can't direct the ball goalwards. Not a bad opening.

First genuine attack from Reading comes after 20 minutes as McCleary crosses to the back post and when the ball is recycled Kelly almost steals in, but Carrick hacks clear.

Slight blotch to United's afternoon as Marcos Rojo is replaced by Phil Jones. Ashley Young is also injured and was initially expected to be replaced. Eric Bailly at the Africa Cup of Nations remember.

GOAL! Manchester United 2-0 Reading (Anthony Martial)

The Royals are being blown away here and United double their advantage as Martial strolls into the penalty area and simple passes the ball past Al-Habsi. Too easy.

Rooney jumps for joy as he levels Bobby Charlton's scoring record.

Here is that historic Rooney goal for those of you who may have missed it.

Stam and Mourinho embraced before kick-off.

Reading haven't got their passing game going at all and United are threatening to run riot in the early minutes. Mata finds Rooney on the left with a delicious pass but Carrick can't make anything of the pull-back and drags his effort wide.

GOAL! Manchester United 1-0 Reading (Wayne Rooney)

History for Wayne Rooney and it must be said, it has been coming. Rashford's miss-hit shot falls the way of the England forward who directs the ball beyond Al-Habsi. Old Trafford rises in unison to pay tribute to Rooney, who goes to 249 United goals, level with Sir Bobby Charlton.

United have made nine changes today but nine of this team started the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace in May so there is plenty of strength there.

First chance for Wayne Rooney to create history comes and goes, as the England captain is denied by Al-Habsi. Not a great start for Reading, who have been exposed twice in the opening two minutes.

Underway at Old Trafford and a chance straight away for United. Marcus Rashford has started in the middle and he thrashes on goalwards and it bounces just wide.

Plenty of respect between the two managers before kick-off.

Players on there way out at Old Trafford. Jaap Stam given a good reception. Can Reading spring the first shock on third round day?

FA Cup third round day is etched in the minds of every football fan and today promises to be just as dramatic as any previous weekend. There are another 23 ties at 3pm to get your teeth into, before Preston host Arsenal in the tea-time kick-off. We'll have live coverage of the game from Deepdale later.

Wayne Rooney back in the United team today and he could become the club's all-time leading goalscorer today. Two goals will see him jump ahead of Sir Bobby Charlton and become the leading marksman at Old Trafford. But can Reading upset his big day?

Naturally a lot of the scrutiny before the game has been on the return of Jaap Stam, who returns to Old Trafford 16 years on from being sold unceremoniously after just three years at the club. Reports at the time suggested Sir Alex Ferguson was unhappy with comments made in the Dutchman's book, and dismissed the defender as a result. But the Reading boss has a different account of his exit.

"Every club has like three or four players who are, how you call it? Like the spokesmen, the committee, and I was in there as well and occasionally you speak with a couple of people from the board and about the situation of the club," Stam said, according to The Daily Telegraph.

"That's when they told us that budget-wise they needed to do something. They didn't mention names but... It wasn't about the book. We spoke about it with the board as well about having a problem with the budget at the time.

"They needed to sell somebody eventually and, of course, if there had been an offer placed for a player. I had been there three seasons, a bit more, and won everything with the club. They paid, what was it, £10-11million for me? And they could sell me three years later for £15-16million."

Fans assemble at Old Trafford ahead of kick-off.

It's a real day out for Reading's fans today.

Former United trainee Paul McShane misses out today. Reading have confirmed why.

Nine changes made by Jose Mourinho. Wayne Rooney returns in attack, Ashley Young comes in at right-back and Marcus Rashford plays too. Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are on the bench if required.

Reading make two changes from the win over Bristol City last weekend. George Evans and Liam Kelly come in for Paul McShane and John Swift. Tyler Blackett makes starts against his former club.

And now the Reading team named by Jaap Stam.

Manchester United team has dropped.....

Reading arrive at Old Trafford.

Unless you were living under a rock you will have seen that West Ham and Manchester City kicked off the third round last night. Pep Guardiola's FA Cup debut went down a storm as City eased to a 5-0 success at the London Stadium, which was near enough empty at the full-time whistle. No home comforts for The Hammers.

We're expecting both teams to be confirm in around half an hour or so, but until then how do we expect both sides to line up?

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney will return to the first team after injury, while goalkeeper Sergio Romero will deputise for David de Gea. Memphis Depay and Morgan Schneiderlin are not being considered due to the ongoing speculation regarding their future.

Reading are without Callum Harriott, Stephen Quinn Anssi Jaakkola and Deniss Rakels due to respective hamstring, knee and ankle injuries.

No longer the zenith of the new sporting year, third round day in the FA Cup may have been diluted by television companies and ridiculous scheduling but hopefully today faith can be restored in the oldest cup competition on the planet. Manchester United and Reading kick-off the weekend action at Old Trafford in an intriguing battle on Saturday lunchtime.

Not only are the Royals flying high in the Championship but they are managed by former United defender Jaap Stam, who despite enjoyed two successful years with the club left unceremoniously after criticising Sir Alex Ferguson in his autobiography. Ferguson has since admitted his mistake, but nevertheless the Dutchman will be keen to sought some revenge this afternoon.

We'll have all the build-up and team news ahead of the 12:30pm kick-off on the way. Don't dare go anywhere.