United step up treble bid

SIR Alex Ferguson has urged his Manchester United players to step on the gas in their quest for the treble.

Twelve points clear in the Premier League and back home from Madrid with an encouraging draw in the Champions League, United's attentions switch to the FA Cup when they entertain Reading tonight.

With a quarter–final encounter against either Chelsea or Middlesbrough booked for the winners, the prospect of a repeat of that historic 1999 campaign is beginning to get clearer.

"The manager has stressed that he expects to go to the end in all three competitions," said defender Chris Smalling.

"The FA Cup is notoriously unpredictable. Luton reached the fifth round this year, which shows that anything can happen so there is no point looking too far ahead. But our home form has been good and another victory can give us the impetus to kick on and get to another final."