Manchester United 2 Reading 1: Influence of substitute Nani sees United deny dogged Reading

The Portuguese was thrown on after Phil Jones suffered an injury and helped United see off a dogged Reading side 2-1.

The winger made an instant impact when he hit the post, before opening the scoring with a well-taken second-half strike.

He then set up Javier Hernandez for a second and United held out, despite Jobi McAnuff`s late goal for Reading.

“Everyone is ready to help the team,” said the 26-year-old.

“I was glad to get an opportunity to come on, I enjoyed the game and helped the team.

“I scored the first goal and that changed the game and I am pleased to get an assist to help the team to this big win.”

Hernandez took his tally for the season to 15 and acknowledged how tough an opponent Reading had been.

“We know they are difficult, they wanted to score for the draw but we are very happy to go through,” said the Mexican.

“Then Nani came on, got the first goal and he was brilliant and made chances for us.

“We were respectful of them, they are a very good team and we`re very happy. Now we have to focus on QPR in our next game.”

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson hailed his side for their all-round performance as they secured a last-eight tie at home with the winner of Chelsea’s game with Middlesbrough.

“It was a good cup tie and ended up being a really good one,” he said.

“They (Reading) went for it, piled the ball into the box and we withstood that. We played some great football, missed chances, had shots blocked and their goalkeeper made some saves.

“I`m satisfied with the quality of the game. We had to defend, our goalkeeper made some excellent saves because at 2-0 we were never comfortable.”

On his goalscoring duo, the Scot added: “The great thing with Hernandez is his energy and enthusiasm, he gives you a solid effort all the time.

“Nani deserved his goal, he had two great strikes before that. In the second half he had the goal and I had a feeling he would win the match for us.

“You can’t ask for anything more than a home tie.”

Reading are becoming renowned for their refusal to lie down and manager Brian McDermott was full of praise his players’ attitude.

“At 1-0 we had a chance with Adam Le Fondre and their goalkeeper made an unbelievable save,” he said.

“We nearly scored from a corner at the end.

“To come to a place Old Trafford and play like we did will be good for us going into the last 12 games of the league season.

“Manchester United were very good at times.”