LONDON - There are always favourites and underdogs in football but Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag insists that will not be the way he views matches, as his side prepare to host second-tier Reading in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday.
The Red Devils are heading into the Old Trafford clash after winning all of their last 10 home games in all competitions, scoring 26 goals and conceding only four.
United, who are battling for a top-four spot in the Premier League, are also unbeaten in their Reading last 14 home fixtures in the FA Cup.
They had defeated twice in the last six years, winning 4-0 in 2017 and 2-0 in 2019, both in the third round.
But ten Hag is wary that a Cup tie, even against lower-tier opponents his team are expected to beat, is never straightforward.
United were eliminated on penalties by Championship side Middlesbrough in the fourth round last season, although he was not in charge then.
This story is from the January 28, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.
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This story is from the January 28, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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