Manchester United expect Reading to be highly motivated for Saturday’s FA Cup meeting and will not take their second-tier opponents lightly, manager Erik ten Hag said on Friday.

United have won five out of their seven games in 2023 and are fourth in the Premier League standings on 39 points.

They have also reached the semi-finals of the League Cup and the Europa League’s knockout stage, and are favourites to beat Reading in their FA Cup fourth round clash on Saturday.

“Football is not decided on paper. We have to be ready for every game. Every opponent will be tough, especially in the FA Cup. For them it is a perfect chance. We have to be on the front foot and fully focused,” Ten Hag told reporters.

“We want to win every game. We play every game fully. The next one is always the most important.

“We always have selection issues, but I think tomorrow (Saturday) we will have a strong selection for this game, we have a good squad, we can cover things.”

Klopp’s advice

Liverpool’s Juergen Klopp called on his side to be disciplined in defence as they prepare to face Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday in an FA Cup fourth-round tie, weeks after a humiliating 3-0 Premier League loss to the same opponents.

Cup holders Liverpool beat Wolverhampton Wanderers in a replay to set up a clash at Brighton, who have put three goals past the Merseyside club in both league meetings this season.

“I think we have showed we really want to go through. We always want to get better and that is what we will do,” added Klopp.