Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was celebrating a record five wins in his first five games as United manager, made no delusions of his side’s performance, admitting they were below the standard he would expect.
That #VAR decision was so wrong. The minute Mata plays that pass through to Fred, Fred is offside. The pass comes before the challenge on Mata therefore the offside supersedes the foul. Shambles!
— Christy McCamphill (@mccamcm) January 5, 2019
"The way we played wasn't the best - But we got the goals and managed to get through," Solskjaer told BBC Sport.
The Norwegian pointed to the nine changes he made to the squad that faced Reading as the reason for a lack of cohesion adding: "We made nine changes, so I made it hard for the boys because they hadn't played together too much.”
He also defended his decision as a chance to get a better look at his squad players in competitive action ahead of a tough trip to Tottenham
The big talking point of the tie against Reading was, of course, Manchester United’s opener which was controversially awarded via a VAR intervention. The Red Devils initially had a goal chalked off for offside, which went to a VAR review. During a three minute interval, the officials also flagged up a potential infraction on Juan Mata.
It doesn’t ‘Mata’ what you think!!
— marvyn browning (@Only1MisterB) January 5, 2019
Come on reds! Would love a decent cup run this year #MUNvREA pic.twitter.com/b3hnzCUod3
The goal was ruled out but United were awarded a penalty which Mata converted to give United the lead. Later replays showed the offside infraction to be before the penalty appeal meaning the correct decision should have been a free kick to Reading that nullified the later play.
Solskjaer wouldn't be drawn into comments about the offside call, instead claiming the foul was "clear and obvious and factual" and added, "I didn't need VAR to see that Mata was fouled."
Source : 90min