Iliman Ndiaye was the hero for the Blades on the night before limping off later with an injury, giving United something of an injury concern ahead of more key games coming up.
But United showed their character to bounce back from Saturday's disappointing defeat at Blackburn, with would-be new owner Dozy Mmobuosi watching on from the stands.
Here's how we rated United’s players in victory in Berkshire...
Here's how we rated United’s players in victory in Berkshire...
![Did well to stretch and poke away a dangerous ball from Long that would have sent Carroll free but for the vital intervention. Had a good sight of goal later in the game from Norwood's corner but his volleyed effort went just over the bar on the angle](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjM5OTM4NzgxLTViYjYtNGE5Mi04NTllLTRjZGNiMDljOGI0MDowZWIyY2I0Yi1kYTRhLTQ4M2MtYjI0OC1kZjRjNGYxOWZiZjI=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
5. John Egan 7
Did well to stretch and poke away a dangerous ball from Long that would have sent Carroll free but for the vital intervention. Had a good sight of goal later in the game from Norwood's corner but his volleyed effort went just over the bar on the angle Photo: Simon Bellis
![Had a good running battle with his former Liverpool teammate Andy Carroll and survived penalty appeals from the Reading fans when he appeared to bundle over Shane Long in the box. Great bit of composure and vision to find Lowe down the left in build-up to a good chance. Continued his good form of late down the left](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjgwZGQ4NjY4LTBiYjgtNGI5Ny05NDI5LTgxYTUyNGEwM2Q2YTpkOGE2MDNhNi03NTNjLTRkZGUtYTczNi00M2QzOGIyMjYxNGU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
6. Jack Robinson 7
Had a good running battle with his former Liverpool teammate Andy Carroll and survived penalty appeals from the Reading fans when he appeared to bundle over Shane Long in the box. Great bit of composure and vision to find Lowe down the left in build-up to a good chance. Continued his good form of late down the left Photo: Paul Terry
![Improved from recent showings and almost picked up an assist when his lovely clipped cross found Sharp in the middle, but the skipper's shot was tipped over by Lumley. Lost a bit of composure late on with keeping the ball in play, as United were looking to see out the game](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmU2MGY4ZGEwLTgyNjctNDJkYi1iMjZhLWE5ZTM5MjJlNzExYjo5OGIyMDY3MS0wYmI0LTRiZTktYTljOC1hNmFmNDIxMTIwMDU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
7. Max Lowe 6
Improved from recent showings and almost picked up an assist when his lovely clipped cross found Sharp in the middle, but the skipper's shot was tipped over by Lumley. Lost a bit of composure late on with keeping the ball in play, as United were looking to see out the game Photo: Paul Terry
![Facing his old club and didn't have things all his own way as Reading pressed and harried him, giving him little time on the ball to dictate the pace of United's play. Was good off the ball too, so often putting a foot in to break up play](https://www.thestar.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmYxZTZmOWMyLTZlY2QtNDE1NC05OGFiLTQ2YjdjYjQ2ZTc4ZDpkYTVjZGFmYi0zZjUyLTRiMGYtYWJkZi1iZTM3ZTVkODlmNDU=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
8. Ollie Norwood 6.5
Facing his old club and didn't have things all his own way as Reading pressed and harried him, giving him little time on the ball to dictate the pace of United's play. Was good off the ball too, so often putting a foot in to break up play Photo: Simon Bellis