Reading exited the FA Cup despite a valiant display at Old Trafford, losing 3-1 to Manchester United in the fourth round.

Keeping it goalless until the break, a quickfire Casemiro brace and Fred’s backheel put the game beyond Paul Ince’s side on his return to the Red Devils.

Andy Carroll saw red but the Royals did manage to score their first Old Trafford goal in a decade as substitute Amadou Mbengue gave the 3,000 travelling supporters something to take home with them.

At the home of giants Manchester United, many had expected the Red Devils to dominate possession, create a hatful of chances, and inevitably win. For the first 45 minutes, that is exactly what happened- minus the goal. Christian Eriksen came close from a free-kick, Antony regularly beat Baba and tried his luck after cutting in, invariably ending up in Joe Lumley’s arms. The first big chance fell to Eriksen. Marcus Rashford’s dipping free-kick was only palmed away by Lumley, and it looked a simple task for the Dane to finish from inside the six-yard box, but Mamadou Loum had other ideas, diving in the way to deflect the shot behind.

Tom Holmes, playing like a man possessed, did similar up against Wout Weghorst shortly after, with the upright living a charmed life. That was until the half hour mark, when Rashford headed the ball over the line and into the net. However, everyone’s favourite invention, VAR, came to the Royals’ rescue, showing Weghorst to be offside in the build-up. A cheer usually saved for celebrating a goal erupted from the 3,000 in the away end as it was chalked off. Reading offered very little threat in the opening half, but should have taken an unlikely lead in stoppage time as Baba’s cross was intercepted by Tyrell Malacia, but the full-back dallied and was tackled by Junior Hoilett, who’s tame strike was saved and the chance cleared.

Unfortunately, there was to be no repeat of the first half shutout, with a pair of quickfire goals shortly after the restart all but killing the tie. Antony threaded a ball through to Casemiro, with the Brazilian delicately dinking over the head of the onrushing Lumley. Just three minutes later the midfielder had his brace, curling home a powerful effort, although a small deflection off Holmes’ head certainly helped. It went from bad to worse in the first 20 minutes of the half as Andy Carroll saw red for two quick yellow cards. Substitute Fred cleverly beat Lumley at his near post a matter of minutes later and the game was done.

There was a glimmer of hope with 15 minutes remaining as Amadou Mbengue headed home unmarked from a corner to give the travelling supporters something to cheer. It could, and should, have been better when Tom Ince and Shane Long broke into the United half with 10 minutes remaining, only for Tyrese Fornah to delay his shot and see the chance go begging. Bringing off their key men and giving minutes to fringe players, the hosts faded as the match went on, though still capable of moments of magic. Reading grew in confidence and threw caution to the wind in the search for a second, but it would not come.

Now out of the cup competitions, it is back to the ‘bread and butter’ of Championship action. Play-off chasing Watford visit the SCL Stadium on Saturday.