Man Utd reach FA Cup quarter-finals

Goals from Nani and Javier Hernandez was enough to help treble-chasing United into the last eight of the FA Cup with a 2-1 win over Reading.

Nani who came on as a first-half substitute for the injured Phil Jones made an immediate impact breaking the deadlock with a right-foot drive past Adam Federici after 69 minutes.

United doubled their lead three minutes later as Javier Hernandez met Portuguese winger Nani’s cross at the near post to head in his 15th strike of the campaign.

Reading pulled one back through Jobi McAnuff , but United held on to set up a home tie against Middlesbrough or Chelsea.

The shine, however was taken off there victory as Phil Jones limped off with an ankle injury following a first-half challenge, which will be a concern to United manager Sir Alex Ferguson who is looking for a repeat of their historic 1999 treble.

Ferguson made eight changes to the side which earned a 1-1 away draw against Real Madrid in their Champions League last-16 first-leg match last Wednesday, with only David de Gea, Jones and Danny Welbeck retaining their places.

Reading manager Brian McDermott, meanwhile, made six changes, giving in-form striker Adam Le Fondre a chance in the starting line-up.

United made most of the chances in the opening 45 minutes, and looked as if they might overwhelm McDermott’s side with an early burst of pressure, but the visitors defended solidly and Federici was only rarely called into action.

The keeper reacted well to stop Welbeck’s early drive, moments after the United striker and team-mate Valencia had been unable to turn home a loose ball when Hernandez had a shot blocked.

Federici did made a terrific double save midway through the first half, pushing aside Tom Cleverley’s 20-yard drive and then recovering to turn Ashley Young’s follow-up around the post.

Reading striker Noel Hunt had to change his shirt twice after an early aerial collision with defender Nemanja Vidic that left both men bleeding, and needed additional treatment at half-time.

The visitors rarely threatened in the first half, although McAnuff had a penalty appeal rejected after claiming he was fouled by Jones as he tried to drive into the United penalty area.

With the home side temporarily reduced to 10 men after Jones went off, Le Fondre turned on the edge of the penalty area and hit a shot that De Gea held.

But Reading had two escapes at the end of the first half, when Nani struck the post with an excellent volley, and then hit a left-foot strike from the edge of the penalty area that Federici did well to push aside.

United continued to press in the second half, with Hunt clearing a deflected Vidic header off the line, before Federici saved from Anderson and Nani flashed a shot wide.

Ferguson’s obvious frustration at the visitors slowing the game down extended to a message apparently being sent to the ball-boys to do their jobs with a little more speed.

United finally broke through when Nani collected Valencia’s pass and drove the ball into the corner of the net.

De Gea denied Le Fondre an instant equaliser with a smart save, before Hernandez evaded Reading centre-back Sean Morrison to head in Nani’s cross.

But McAnuff set up a nervous finale for United when he wriggled through to slot the ball home and give McDermott’s side hope.

Le Fondre almost equalised in a frantic finish, with Hernandez denied by Federici at the other end, as United saw the game through.