Apt a tribute as it was, it probably was not the one Paul Ince wanted. As a Manchester United great returned to Old Trafford, his Reading side were condemned to defeat by a defensive midfielder who showed an eye for goal. It was a hallmark of Ince in his playing days and, when Reading were producing a display of admirable defiance, Casemiro delivered a five-minute brace. The breakthrough featured a late surge into the box that was reminiscent of the powerhouse in the United midfield three decades ago. The general feel, of a midfielder grabbing the game by the scruff of its neck, was one United relished in the 1990s.
Ince won the FA Cup twice as a United player and now Erik ten Hag’s team remain the only side in four competitions. The manager felt a contributor to their eleventh successive win at Old Trafford: partly by fielding his strongest available midfield and attack and then, after United’s first-half dominance brought just two shots on target from 15 efforts and no lead, by sending out a side who showed more purpose. A talisman duly secured progress.
