Man Utd star at risk of suspension in FA Cup clash with Reading, Ten Hag can't afford to lose him

Manchester United take on Reading in an FA Cup fourth round fixture on Saturday - but one Red Devils star is at risk of suspension.

United have already suffered as a result of the five yellow card rule in the Premier League this season, with Casemiro having served a one-match ban for the 3-2 defeat against Arsenal after receiving five bookings in the first 19 games of the campaign.

There is a similar rule in the FA Cup, where a player who is booked twice before the sixth round of the competition must serve a one-match ban for the fixture after their second yellow card. If their team is knocked out, the ban will carry over to the following season.

Erik ten Hag's side are well on their way to reaching the Carabao Cup final, having defeated Nottingham Forest 3-0 at the City Ground in the first leg of the semi-final.

And they will hope to progress further in the FA Cup, as they take on a Reading side managed by former United midfielder Paul Ince.

But Ten Hag will perhaps have a selection dilemma when it comes to one of his top stars.

Man Utd star faces ban

In United's 3-1 win over Everton in the third round, Bruno Fernandes was the sole Red Devils player to be shown a yellow card in the match.

As a result, if he is booked against the Royals, he will be banned for the fifth round if United make it past the Championship opposition at Old Trafford on Saturday, or the replay.

Fernandes has been virtually ever-present for Ten Hag's side this term. In fact, the only games he has missed this season have been through yellow card-related suspensions, both in the Premier League and Carabao Cup.

With six goals and five assists to his name in all competitions this term, the Portugal star could prove to be the key in helping to break through a Reading defence that has conceded 42 goals in the second tier - a record only better than only two other teams in the league.

However, the 28-year-old will have to be careful not to receive a booking over the 90 minutes, or in a potential fourth round replay.