Both Reading U23s and U18s conceded four goals in their most recent games, losing 4-1 to Manchester United and 4-2 to Crystal Palace respectively.

A clinical display from Manchester U23’s earnt them the 4-1 win over Reading on Monday night.

Josh Barrett and Michael Olise came closest for the Royals in the first half, both placing their efforts wide of the target early on.

It was the visitors who did take the lead in the first half, with Martinez showing his composure to finish beyond Andresson in the Reading goal after being put through on goal.

Reading equalized just before the break, with Ethan Coleman bravely meeting Josh Barrett’s deep cross. Coleman’s header was latched onto by Adam Liddle who had the simple task of converting to level the game.

Both sides then hit the woodwork in the early stages of the second half. Traore came close for the visitors, cutting inside before hitting the bar with a powerful effort.

Ryan East then came close for Reading, smashing the post with a crisp drive.

United then showed their quality. Tahith Chong drove down the right wing before cutting back for Traore, who made sure he would not be denied a goal with a powerful finish from inside the area.

Chong then got in on the act, capitalizing on a weak pass from Andresson before finishing beyond the Icelandic stopper.

United added their fourth goal late on with Reading pushing forward, breaking quickly before Hoogerwerf finished well from the edge of the area.

As for the U18s, Crystal Palace were in town on Thursday night for a tie in the FA Youth Cup.

The visitors took the lead in the fourth minute, with Tetteh Quay Addy cutting the ball back to Brandon Aveiro to open the scoring.

Palace doubled their advantage in the 15th minute, with Malachi Boateng reacting quickest to score from close range after Jeriel Dorsett had kept the initial effort out on the line.

Reading halved the deficit shortly after, with Lynford Sackey doing well to find space for himself in the box before a neat finish into the right corner.

The young Royals then levelled the game in the 29th minute, with Claudio Osorio volleying beyond Palace keeper Russell after the ball dropped to him with Palace failing to clear their lines.

It wouldn’t be a repeat of the comeback against Spurs for Reading this time out however, with the visitors adding two more after the break.

Keutcha managed to beat a number of Reading players before finding Street in the area. He took his time and picked his spot after being afforded too much space in the box.

Palace sealed the victory when a stunning 25-yard free-kick from Aveiro found the top corner.