United hang on to book place in QFs

Three goals in the first six minutes helped Manchester United beat Reading 3-2 in their FA Cup fifth-round replay yesterday and earn a place in the quarter-finals. Defender Gabriel Heinze started the scoring in the second minute with a low drive past...

Three goals in the first six minutes helped Manchester United beat Reading 3-2 in their FA Cup fifth-round replay yesterday and earn a place in the quarter-finals.

Defender Gabriel Heinze started the scoring in the second minute with a low drive past Reading reserve keeper Adam Federici.

Two minutes later, Louis Saha struck the ball home for his first goal in 11 matches for United since December.

The Premier League leaders' relentless start continued when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer curled a shot past Federici in the sixth minute.

Reading pulled a goal back on 23 minutes after John Oster's corner was headed across goal by Ivar Ingimarsson for Dave Kitson to nod in.

Striker Leroy Lita set up an interesting final few minutes when he headed the ball into the right corner of the net in the 84th minute.

Brynjar Gunnarsson then rattled the bar at the death but a shaken United clung on.

United will face Middlesbrough in the quarter-finals after they beat West Brom 5-4 on penalties after the match ended in a 1-1 draw.

Blackburn Rovers host Arsenal in today's replay.

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