PLAYER RATINGS vs Reading: Nani Is The Game Changer In 2-1 Win

David De Gea: Kept his place after heroics against Real Madrid, but didn’t have much to do on the night. Made a brilliant save from a Le Fondre shot and kept out the follow up even if it was deemed offside before United went down the other end and made it 2. 7.5

Alex Buttner: Up and down his flank as is to be expected from the Dutchman given his display’s this season. Put some nice crosses into the box but can still make you a bit nervous with his defensive efforts. 6.5

Phil Jones: Been a huge plus for United in midfield recently but today was employed at right back. Night was pretty much over before it started, injured in a challenge with Jobi McAnuff. Left Old Trafford on crutches and in a protective boot, which doesn’t bode well for us considering his display against Real Madrid last week. 6

Nemanja Vidic: Like against Everton, Vidic wasn’t in the mood to let anything get past him tonight. Dominated in the air and threw himself infront of anything Reading tried along the floor. Got into the Reading box at set pieces and saw a deflected effort cause alarm but caught up in the mix up that lead to Reading’s goal. 7.5

Chris Smalling: Had a decent game heading over from a corner early on and keeping Reading at bay at the other. His passing needs work though, with a back pass that put the team in danger as well as two forward passes that resembled clearances. Tried to track Hunt as Guthrie’s ball caught the defence asleep but his weak clearance went straight to McAnuff who scored. 7

Anderson: Perhaps didn’t have as much influence as you would have liked, but was good to see him get some much needed game time. Had a right footed effort saved around the hour mark after surging forward. Hopefully he can get back to his performances pre injury when he was more of an influence. 6.5

Tom Cleverley: Fizzed a number of shots at Reading and Federici but unfortunate not to find the net. Linked well with the rest of the team and put a couple of decent balls into the box including one that lead to an RVP effort being blocked. Energetic as ever. 7.5

Ashley Young: Criminal miss in the first half, trying to place the ball in the only place that Federici could have saved it. Looked rusty but to be expected as he comes back from injury. Replaced by RVP in the second half. 6

Antonio Valencia: Switched to rightback after Jones went off and looked a tad more impressive. Notched an assist, setting up Nani for United’s opener. 6.5

Danny Welbeck: Saw 2 chances go begging early on. Worked well up top, linking up well with Hernandez and other players but would like to see him get amongst the goals. A late moment of comedy when the striker broke forward and tried to shift the ball onto his right foot, only to mix up his feet and send the ball out for a goal kick. 7

Javier Hernandez: A testament to how good our attack is that Javier Hernandez struggles for playing time. More than just a goal scorer as he works hard with and without the ball. Sent 3 Reading players flying in the second minute with a shift of the ball but saw his shot blocked. Continued to toil and was rewarded for his work with a goal in the second, nodding past Federici. 7.5

Subs

Nani: Looked well up for this coming on at the end of the first half, cracking off an amazing volley that crash into Federici’s post whilst a strong shot forced a strong save from the Reading keeper moments later.

Continued to test the keeper with rasping shots and got his reward in the second, when he received a pass from Valencia just inside the box, teed himself up with his left and volleyed in with his right.

Nani wasn’t finished though and he whipped in a ball from the right for Hernandez to head in United’s second.

Has been out of the first team picture of late, but hopefully he can build on this performance and play his way back into the manager’s plans. 8

Robin Van Persie: Another play who’s introduction brought United to life. Replaced Ashley Young and United immediately went up a gear. His cross field ball was magnificent and his touches and flicks as well as overall presence was impressive. 7

Michael Carrick: Brought on for the tiring Anderson to add composure N/A