United driven by hurt of last season

Reading manager Brian McDermott believes the Premier League is witnessing the repercussions of Manchester United’s agonising title failure last season.

With the treble a realistic target considering their dominance of the league and a favourable result against Real Madrid in the Champions League, an FA Cup success would spark genuine comparisons to the treble success of 1999.

And McDermott, whose side travel to Old Trafford tonight, believes the pain felt on the final day of last term has inspired United’s position of dominance. “It’s a surprise to see United so far ahead in the Premier League when you look at the calibre of opposition they’re up against,” he said.