Jose Mourinho doesn't have a heck of a lot to worry about with his Manchester United squad this year. The Europa League is going to be a secondary tournament until the latter stages should the team ultimately get there, and the gap on Chelsea almost certainly isn't being closed. That said, if there's a serious piece of silverware to go get, it's the FA Cup. Will he go all out for it? We'll find out a lot about how he's going to handle the Red Devils against Reading in the first of a slew of FA Cup matches on the day.
Don't miss the FA Cup action from Old Trafford at 7:30 a.m. ET on Saturday, January 7, 2016. Catch every moment of the match live on FOX Sports 1.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Manchester United -425
Reading +1200
Draw +510
Over/Under 3
Odds Analysis
It's not surprising that Manchester United is a massive favorite here against a championship side. The margin of -425 is massive, and it's clear if the team goes all out in this one, it'll probably eliminate its foe with relative ease. But the Cup isn't as easy as it sounds, even in these early stages, and Reading isn't going to go down without a fight even though it's a two-goal underdog on the Asian Handicap.
Still, scoring could be tough. Reading only has 36 goals in 24 Championship matches this year, and the likelihood definitely states that it isn't going to score in this fixture at Old Trafford either.
Injury Report
Manchester United is going to have a few shortcomings here. Wayne Rooney, a veteran of the FA Cup with so much success at this level, has a thigh injury and certainly won't be risked, while James Wilson came back from Derby County on loan thanks to an injury. Eric Bailly is off playing in the African Cup of Nations and is away from the squad.
The real question though, is whether Mourinho elects to play some of his superstars or rests them. This isn't the type of match you'd figure to see Zlatan Ibrahimovic in, though with the form that he's in at the moment, not having him out there could become a real problem for the Red Devils.
Recent Form
Man U has been so darn good of late. The team beat West Ham in its first match of the new year, and that came on the heels of dismissing Middlesbrough, Sunderland, West Brom, Crystal Palace and Tottenham in succession. Has the schedule been tough? No, it hasn't. But wins are wins in the top flight, and this is no tougher of a match than any of the ones that have been on the docket during the crowded holiday fixtures.
Reading is one of these scary teams out of the second division, though. The team is coming off of a win over Bristol City, and in its last three completed matches, it also included wins against last year's EPL side, Norwich City and Blackburn Rovers. Two of the three wins came on the road where this match is going to be played as well.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
Reading has a few things on its side in this match. One is its form. One is its 35-year old keeper, Ali Al Habsi, a man who has been here and done this before in his career in the FA Cup. Furthermore, you know that Reading isn't going to be scared of going into Old Trafford, and the Red Devils have that extra bulls-eye on their back having won this tournament last year.
Can Reading win this match? No, we don't believe so. But can this turn into a replay? We certainly think there's a chance. Give us the two goals for sure. In the magic that is the FA Cup, strange, strange things happen.
FA Cup Odds: Manchester United 0, Reading 0
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