FA Cup: Rashford (Manchester United) v McCleary (Reading)

Holders Manchester United begin the defence of their FA Cup title on Saturday (12.30pm kick-off) when they welcome former defender Jaap Stam and his Reading team to Old Trafford.

The Red Devils ended a 12-year wait for glory in the competition by coming from behind to beat Crystal Palace in last year’s final at Wembley, and Jose Mourinho’s men will have high hopes of achieving back-to-back titles.

United going into their third round clash against the Royals having won their last six Premier League matches, and Mourinho will hope that Marcus Rashford, who came off the bench to make a huge difference against West Ham on Monday, will help fire his side to victory.

However, they’ll find it tough against Stam’s Reading, as the Berkshire side are third in the Championship having won 14 of their 24 league matches this season, including eight of their last ten.

The Royals are no strangers to a cup run, having reached at least the quarter-finals in four of the last seven seasons, including a memorable run to the semi-finals in 2015 where they lost 2-1 to Arsenal.

Reading’s goal-scorer that day was winger Garath McCleary, and the Jamaican international is currently their top-scorer for this campaign having netted eight times in 22 Championship matches, and he’ll be the one United need to keep an eye on at Old Trafford on Saturday.

So, with these two key forwards set to go head-to-head this weekend, here is how Rashford and McCleary match up so far this season…