FA Cup holders Manchester United begin the defence of their title when they host Championship high-flyers Reading in the third round at Old Trafford tomorrow (12.30pm kick-off).

The Red Devils won the trophy last season for the first time in 12 years courtesy of a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace in the final, in what turned out to be Louis van Gaal’s final game in charge.

Jose Mourinho’s United will begin their quest for a record-breaking 13th title tomorrow against the Royals, who are managed by ex-United defender Jaap Stam, who won the FA Cup with the club back in 1999 as part of that historic treble.

The Dutchman replaced Brian McDermott in the summer, and has since led his side to third place in the Championship, winning 14 of their 24 league games, including eight of their last ten.

United will certainly be wary of the Royals, given that the Berkshire side have reached at least the last eight of the FA Cup in four of the last seven seasons, but the Red Devils have won their last six Premier League games, and look to be hitting their stride after a tricky opening few months of the campaign.

Having played twice in the space of three days earlier in the week, Mourinho is likely to shuffle his pack tomorrow, so here are THREE players who deserve a chance against Reading on Saturday…

Chris Smalling

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

With Eric Bailly on African Cup of Nations duty over the coming weeks, Mourinho is slightly short in the centre-back department, and could ideally do with a fully fit Chris Smalling to give him another option.

Thus, the England defender should come back into the side against Reading.

Smalling had lost his place in the starting line-up after sustaining an injury in the defeat at Chelsea in October, and has since had to make-do with a spot on the bench after the good form of Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo.

However, the 27-year-old was beginning to strike up a solid partnership with Bailly before both got injured, and you sense that, if fully fit, that would be the partnership Mourinho utilises.

Thus, a return to the starting eleven could be in the offing for Smalling tomorrow.

Marcus Rashford

Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

England international Marcus Rashford made the crucial difference in United’s 2-0 victory over West Ham on Monday, and could be set to lead the line against Reading tomorrow.

The 19-year-old came off the bench after an hour at the London Stadium, and his pace and directness severely tested a tiring West Ham backline, and it was he who broke down the left, and calmly crossed for Juan Mata to fire home the opener.

And, with Mourinho likely to rest Zlatan Ibrahimovic after his exploits over the last few weeks, he could turn to Rashford.

Another display like the one on Monday, and the Reading backline could be in for a very tricky afternoon.

Anthony Martial

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

French international Anthony Martial was surprisingly dropped from the starting eleven against the Hammers, despite a goal and a man-of-the-match display against Middlesbrough a few days previous.

However, with Mourinho likely to rotate some members of his first team, the 21-year-old could return to the starting line-up tomorrow.

Martial has clearly not hit the heights of his first season at Old Trafford, where he netted 17 times in 49 appearances, yet there were signs against Boro, as there were a few weeks ago against Everton, that he was beginning to rediscover his form.

As aforementioned, Mourinho is likely to rest Ibrahimovic, so Martial could be the man to fire United into the fourth round on Saturday.