Casemiro scored twice as Manchester United cruised past Reading to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup at Old Trafford.

After a frustrating first period for the hosts the Brazil midfielder broke the Royals' resistance early in the second half, scooping in the first of his two goals after racing on to Antony's incisive pass.

He doubled United's lead four minutes later, curling in from the edge of the box after collecting Fred's pass.

Andy Carroll was sent off for the visitors after picking up his second yellow card shortly before Fred backheeled in the hosts' third goal from Bruno Fernandes' cross.

While Erik ten Hag's side had opportunities to score a fourth, substitute Amadou Mbengue headed in a consolation for Championship side Reading from Tom Ince's corner.

United manager Erik ten Hag later said, "I think in the first hour we played really well. It was a really good performance and we were playing in the way I want, dominant and in the opponents half with good tempo and a lot of movement. We created many chances but we didn't score and it was the only thing missing at half time.

"They made it difficult, they are a decent team. They were compact but we still made a lot of chances. We scored and were unlucky as it was disallowed but then in the second half we scored the goals, great goals, the Brazilian connection.

"He [Casemiro] is really important with all his experience but he is such a smart player and intelligent. He knows the positions, how to deal with the ball and also he is creative as well and we are really happy with him. He is important for the improvement of the team.

"We want to win every game. We have a squad and we have to plan as well but there is a big responsibility for the players to be ready, be fit. It is about recovery, sleep and football."