With Manchester United in cruise control in the English Premier League, and the Champions League tie against Real Madrid perfectly poised, the Red Devils will take on Reading in the fifth round of the F.A. Cup hoping to keep their treble dreams alive.
United will be the overwhelming favorites to progress into the quarterfinals, where they face a potential clash with Chelsea, depending on the Blues' result against Middlesbrough in midweek.
Sir Alex Ferguson admitted he would make a few changes keeping in mind the rest of the fixtures that United are set to face, with the second leg against Real Madrid the most crucial on March 5.
"We've come through Wednesday's game without any injuries," Ferguson told reporters. "That's the best thing, apart from the result of course.
"I'll make some changes for Monday night, even though it's an incentive to get to the quarterfinal. I don't think that's lost on any of the players.
"There's a good spirit in place and they're all contributing. Whatever side I pick we're expected to qualify. That's what happens at United.
"Whatever team you play you're always expected to win. I went to see Reading last week and they're a team who are showing plenty of fighting qualities at the moment, as you'd expect given they're down the bottom of the league.
"We'll take nothing for granted. In the F.A. Cup you always expect the unexpected. It happens so many times. You just hope you're not a casualty or a shock. We've had a few over the years. But I can't be more pleased than I am at the moment with the form and spirit in the place. It's good."
United do not have too many injury worries, with only Paul Scholes, who missed the Real clash at the Bernabeu, struggling with a knee injury.
Reading will be without striker Jason Roberts (knee) and goalkeeper Alex McCarthy (shoulder).
The Royals manager Brian McDermott admitted he was surprised at the big lead that United have built up in the Premier League.
"It's a surprise to see United so far ahead in the Premier League when you look at the caliber of opposition they're up against," he said.
"They're 12 points in front with 12 games to go and Sir Alex Ferguson won't take anything for granted, there's no doubt about that.
"To move on the way they did from last season, to take that on to the pitch and that hurt, tells you the power of the people there.
"The hurt that day would have given them a tough summer, but you have two ways of going - you either go under as a club or get stronger. United have got stronger."
Expected lineups: Manchester United: Lindegaard; Smalling, Evans, Vidic, Buttner; Valencia, Anderson, Cleverley, Young; Welbeck, Hernandez.
Reading: Federici; Kelly, Pearce, Mariappa, Harte; Kebe, Akpan, Leigertwood, McAnuff, Blackman; Pogrebnyak.
Prediction: 2-0 to United
