United On Fire

Man United v Reading (Sunday 12th August 16:00 BST)

It’s back, and we’re the defending champions, which will mean muppets like Mark Lawrenson will say that “as champions every team will want to beat Man United”. Mark, oh mustachioed one, every team wants to beat us every season, just they rarely manage it.

This is a short preview as I’m away this weekend (back in time for the game obviously which Sky thankfully moved back to the 4pm Sunday slot) but every pundit seems to be writing little old Reading off again this season which isn’t good news when you face them first. My mate Terry, a Reading fan reckons Reading will have no points after two games. Hopefully, he’ll be wrong. And Reading will beat Chelsea midweek. However, here at Old Trafford we should start with a win.

Scholes and Tevez are available, but Fergie is saying Tevez will not play. I expect Scholes will start with Carrick as Hargreaves is not fully fit.  Other than that, the team picks itself.  The usual defence, Giggs, Ronaldo and Rooney up front with the newcomers on a much stronger bench than last season.

Reading are a tough team to crack and usually against the big teams play more defensively.  Despite Sidwell leaving, they will be as good as last season, and I expect a close game.  But Reading won’t trouble us very much and in the end it will be a comfortable win

Prediction: 2-0 

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