Alex Pearce eyeing Manchester United upset

Reading defender Alex Pearce has insisted that his side can avoid defeat when they travel to Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday.

The Royals, who sacked manager Brian McDermott on Monday, go into the game at Old Trafford four points adrift of safety.

"We've got a couple of tough games coming up next and we need to do the best we can," Pearce told the Reading Chronicle.

"If we go [to Old Trafford] and put on a proper team performance you never know what might happen."

Academy coach Eamonn Dolan will take charge of Reading for their match against the league leaders.