Manchester United went into this evening's trip to Reading knowing that a win would send them three points clear of rivals Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.
What unfolded was one of the most remarkable matches in recent Premier League history.
The visiting Red Devils won by the odd goal in seven, with all of the goals arriving before the break.
To find out how the match unfolded, read our minute-by-minute updates below.
Afternoon all. So, Saturday's Premier League action ends with league leaders Man United travelling to struggling Reading. Everything points to an away win, but as so often in the English top flight, anything can happen.
Before we get into all the pre-match talk, facts etc - the team news has just this second been released...
Reading X1: Federici; Cummings, Morrison, Mariappa, Shorey; Robson-Kanu, Tabb, Leigertwood, McAnuff; Le Fondre, Roberts
There are no real surprises in that Reading team. Veteran frontman Jason Roberts has keep his place and will be supported by Adam Le Fondre. Despite a number of errors, Adam Federici starts between the posts.
Man United X1: Lindegaard; Rafael, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra; Carrick, Fletcher, Anderson, Young; Rooney, Van Persie
So Anderson's recent good form has seen him rewarded with another start for the Red Devils. Looking at that lineup, he may be asked to play from the left today. Javier Hernandez has dropped out, meaning that Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie lead the line.
Have to say that it is a defensive looking midfield from Ferguson. Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher play in a similar sort of position. It seems as though the onus will be on Ashley Young and Anderson to be the creative force.
Right, let's have a look at some of the stats heading into this one...
Heading into this one, United have drawn just one of their last 22 matches away from Old Trafford in the Premier League. Meanwhile, Reading have won just once in front of their own supporters this season.
BIG result just coming in for United. Man City have been held 1-1 at home by Everton. You can read our full time report from the Etihad Stadium here.
That means that City have returned to the top of the Premier League table. However, if United can topple Reading, they will open up a three-point gap ahead of next weekend's Manchester derby at the Etihad.
Incidentally, there was an even bigger upset at the Emirates Stadium. Two late goals from Michu gave Swansea 2-0 victory Arsenal, who were booed off again at the end. How much longer will Mr Wenger be in charge I wonder?
For all other results from at home and abroad, following this link. Here though we are going to turn our attention back to events in Berkshire.
It was touched upon earlier regarding Reading's leaky defence. They have shipped 23 in total and have allowed more shots at their goal than any other team. That is also having played a game less than the majority of clubs due to their postponed match at Sunderland back in August.
United have not exactly been watertight though. However, their powers of recovery have been there for all to see. They have picked up 18 points from losing positions this season - more than any other team. So, if Reading score first, they will know that this match is not over.
It's also not escaped my notice that I'm yet to bring you who is on the bench today. Well let's put that right now...
Reading: Taylor, Pearce, Harte, Guthrie, McCleary, Hunt, Pogrebnyak
Man United: De Gea, Jones, Smalling, Cleverley, Giggs, Hernandez, Welbeck
It seems strange that Pavel Pogrebnyak is among the substitutes for Reading. At the end of last season for Fulham he was on fire. He then made a big-money switch to Reading, but he's not really got started. A goal from the bench tonight may help him out!
Staying with Reading, a defeat today would leave them slightly stranded in the relegation zone. They are already four points adrift from safety. Even if they can steal a point from this one, it will be a massive result.
Here come the players. The travelling United faithful are in good voice at the moment.
Reading, kicking from left to right, get this match off and running...
Fair play to Reading - they've started confidently here. Granted they haven't worked a shooting opportunity yet, but they are keeping the ball well.
CHANCE! United's first sight of goal ends with Ashley Young almost hitting the corner flag. Anderson found the England winger wide on the left. He then cut inside, but got his curled effort all wrong and the ball trickled away.
GOAL! Reading 1-0 Man United (Robson-Kanu)
It's strange when you're not shocked that United fall behind. Jonny Evans only managed to half clear a cross to Hal Robson-Kanu, who took one touch before lashing the ball past Anders Lindegaard from close range. The Danish keeper had no chance. What a start for the Royals.
GOAL! Reading 1-1 Man United (Anderson)
Anderson is playing out of his skin at the moment! Having laid the ball off to Young on the left wing, the Brazilian midfielder carried on his run into area. Young finds him perfectly and Anderson smashes an instant shot inside Federici's post before the goalkeeper can react. A really good goal from United.
PENALTY TO MAN UNITED!
Jay Tabb makes a silly challenge from behind on Jonny Evans and the referee has no hesitation in pointing to the spot...
GOAL! Reading 1-2 Man United (Rooney, pen)
What a mad few minutes we've had here. It's a calm penalty from Rooney, slotting the ball to the right-hand side of the net as Federici dives to his left. What an earth was Tabb doing?! What a needless tackle.
GOAL! Reading 2-2 Man United (Le Fondre)
What is going on here?! He's one of the smallest players on the pitch but Adam Le Fondre frees himself inside the United area to power a header past Lindegaard. Poor marking from the visitors but credit to Reading, they've reacted well to falling behind so quickly.
GOAL! Reading 3-2 Man United (Morrison)
This is crazy! Just crazy! Another corner from Reading and another goal. This time it is Sean Morrison who gets a run on Evans and powers a header into the net from close range. We've only had 24 minutes!!
BOOKING! United's Rafael goes into the book for hauling down Jobi McAnuff. He'll have to watch himself from now on.
GOAL! Reading 3-3 Man United (Rooney)
And now we are level again! Neat play between Young and Evra down the left releases the latter, who drills in a cross for Rooney to guide the ball into the net from 12 yards out. Madness!
SUBSTITUTION: An unhappy Rafael is hauled off by Ferguson with just over 30 minutes gone. He's been booked and one can only assumed that is why. Chris Smalling comes on.
GOAL! Reading 3-4 Man United (Van Persie)
Words are beginning to fail me! A deft flick from Rooney releases Robin van Persie, who finds himself all alone inside the Reading area. He takes one touch before guiding the ball past an outrushing Federici with his weaker right foot.
SAVE! At last we've had a save! It's Lindegaard who achieves the feat, scampering across his line to deny Le Fondre a second from 25 yards out.
OFF THE LINE! Rooney sees a header palmed away from Federici, before Van Persie's powerful drive from the rebound is hacked off the line.
Hang on though. Replays have shown that Van Persie's shot was clearly over the line before it was cleared. It should be 5-3 to visitors. Goal line technology anyone?!
SAVE! Close for Reading. Robson-Kanu whips in a dangerous cross that evades everyone. Luckily for United, Lindegaard manages to get his body behind the ball and the dangers is cleared.
SUBSTITUTION: Another switch for United. A back injury forces Anderson off and his place has been taken by Phil Jones.
There will be at least three minutes of stoppage time...
HALF-TIME: Reading 3-4 Man United
I don't think I've ever seen a half of football like that! Seven goals, a goal not given and chances galore! Madness. It's great for the neutral, but if you support either team, I suggest you go an lie down in darkened room for 15 minutes - I know I'm going to just so I can keep up in the second half!
For those that are staying with us during the break, why not give our half-time report a read? It should take you up until the start of the second half to get to the end!
Another big talking point to come from that half was the non-award of the Van Persie's goal. It sort of got lost in all the other action! The ball was clearly over the line. The technology cannot come quick enough.
Right, deep breaths everyone. The players are back. Surely we won't have a similar sort of half will we? United gets us back underway...
It's been a positive start from United. Van Persie gets to the byline and dinks over a teasing cross, which just evades Darren Fletcher. Reading yet to settle.
What's going on? We haven't had a goal yet! That's largely because United are keeping the ball extremely well. It's as if they are waiting for Reading to make a mistake.
PENALTY APPEAL! Big shout for a penalty as Mariappa goes down under a challenge from Evra. The referee is not interested though and replays show that the United defender got the ball.
Since Jones has come on, he's played in virtually every attacking role for United. Right wing, left wing, up front - you name it, he's been there. Not bad for someone who is a natural defender!
CHANCE! Jones is having a stormer at the moment! This time he raids down the left before cutting the ball back for Van Persie. The Dutchman cannot arrange his feet quickly enough though and he fires over the bar.
WHAT A MISS! Van Persie has been excellent for United so far but he's just produced a contender for miss of the season. He robbed Federici of possession in front of his own goal, before inexplicably smashing the ball over the bar when a simple tap-in would have done. This match has been crazy!
SUBSTITUTION: Here comes Pogrebnyak. He has taken the place of veteran Roberts up front for Reading.
SUBSTITUTION: Final change for United and it is Van Persie who exits. Danny Welbeck comes on in his place.
SAVE! McAnuff cuts inside from the left and stings the palms of Lindegaard with a low shot from the edge of the area. The Danish keeper held the ball at the second attempt.
BOOKING! Reading's Tabb goes into the book for a late challenge on United winger Young.
SUBSTITUTION: It's an attacking change for Reading as skipper McAnuff is replaced by former Nottingham Forest frontman Gareth McCleary.
SUBSTITUTION: Final roll of the dice from Reading as goalscorer Robson-Kanu is replaced by Noel Hunt.
The game is petering out at the moment. United are seeing a lot of the ball and in the Reading half as well. The home side need to get a grip of proceedings, and quick.
Reading will have three minutes of added time to rescue something from this match.
SAVE! A corner from Shorey is headed into the ground by Morrison and Lindegaard is forced to tip the ball over. Reading are pushing hard.
CHANCE! A second corner again finds Morrison, but on this occasion he heads well over the crossbar. That could be Reading's last chance.
FULL-TIME: Reading 3-4 Man United
You will not see an opening 45 minutes like that in any other Premier League match this season. It had everything! In contrast the second half was quiet, but very watchable.
For United the win means that they are now three points clear at the top going into next weekend's Manchester derby. Reading though remain second from bottom. It looks like a long season ahead for the Royals.
That's all we have time for from Berkshire. Thanks for joining us this evening and be sure to have a look at our analysis, which will be coming your way shortly.
Written by
Liam Apicella
Liam Apicella
