United moved back into the Championship's top six and boosted the goal difference column with a victory over former bogey side Reading.

Jonathan Fortune scored on his home debut, Richard Cresswell continued his purple patch and Chris Morgan added the third to secure a welcome and worthy win.

However, goalkeeper Mark Bunn was called upon to make a handful of impressive saves - including a first half penalty from Gylfi Sigurdsson.

The attacking trio of Evans, Cresswell and Ward returned to United's starting line-up and Harper, under the terms of his loan, was permitted to continue in midfield despite playing against his employers, Reading. Williamson, Camara and Henderson, himself a former Royal, dropped to the bench where they were joined by new boy Yeates. The visitors also made three changes but Lane old boy Howard and new signing Khizanishvili were only named amongst the substitutes.

As per the script, the Blades flew out of the blocks and forced the visitors into conceding a free-kick in a dangerous position in the opening 25 seconds. Cresswell and Evans both had touches from Bunn's long kick before Quinn was hacked down by Mills but from the set-piece an Evans shot deflected off the wall for a corner.

Evans had another powerful effort blocked by Mills on four minutes and United had little time to rue their luck as Reading broke straight away. Long lifted the ball over Bunn and just wide following McAnuff's through ball but it was a nervous moment.

United's bright start continued. From a Harper break Quinn's cross picked out Cresswell but the striker couldn't keep his header down and then Ward's swivel and shot needed to be pushed around the post by Federici.

Reading's goal appeared to be leading a charmed life but it wasn't to last as the Blades grabbed the lead on 12 minutes. A corner was half-cleared to Harper, who headed into the path of Montgomery to loft a ball back into the box where, surprisingly, FORTUNE was afforded the space to control of his thigh before firing a volley past Federici's left hand.

The visitors, to their credit, hit back with the next three chances - all good opportunities that United did well to repel. On 16 minutes, McAnuff's controlled low drive from the right came through a number of bodies but Bunn watched intently and made a save, diving to his left

Bunn excelled himself further with a reflex save from Ingimarsson, who found himself in space to meet McAnuff's free-kick and then Taylor raced back to block a shot from Thorvaldsson, who was put in the clear by Sigurdsson.

Griffin was booked for a clash with Quinn but Fortune was forced to clear from under his own crossbar as Reading's pressure continued. It appeared that the visiting side's intent had paid off when they were awarded a penalty on 39 minutes as Long fell under a challenge from Morgan. Sigurdsson scored a penalty in the final minute of a cup-tie at Anfield less than a fortnight ago but could not repeat the feat as Bunn dropped to his left to make a tremendous save before celebrating in front of the Kop!

Reading's misery was compounded less than three minutes later as United doubled the lead. Walker marauded down the right and although he was prevented from scoring a first goal for his hometown club, the parry from Federici popped up nicely for CRESSWELL to head into the unguarded net.

United negotiated the remainder of the half without concern but the majority of the half-time applause was reserved for the exploits of goalkeeper Bunn.

The second half began with a substitution from each side with Stewart and Lane old boy Howard introduced but it was Walker who was the first to show, creating two good chances in the opening five minutes.

Morgan was booked for a challenge from behind on Thorvaldsson and Bunn was again called into the action on 55 minutes when Cresswell was caught in possession and Long was put in the clear but the goalkeeper saved with his legs.

Harper was also cautioned, following a foul on Howard, who was involved in a lot of Reading's attacking in the early part of the second period. As the half wore on United stunted the visiting side's attacking prowess and from a Harper crossfield ball Evans almost made it three.

Another foul on Howard brought Quinn a booking, whilst the Reading substitute was the next to draw a yellow card from the referee, for holding back Montgomery.

A good move between Walker, Ward and Quinn almost created a third and Harper fired just wide before the Blades extended the lead.

Henderson was introduced just before a Quinn free-kick and he would have taken the attentions of the Reading defence, who neglected to prevent Ward connecting with a glancing header and MORGAN touching the ball over the line from approximately a yard out.

Yeates was handed a debut in the final five minutes but by then the game was already in the bag... United recording a home league win against Reading for the first time since March 1998!

Blades: Bunn, Montgomery, Morgan, Evans (Henderson 79), Harper, Taylor (Stewart 45), Cresswell, Ward (Yeates 85), Quinn, Fortune, Walker.
Unused: Williamson, Bennett, Geary, Camara.

Reading: Federici, Cisse (Howard 45), Mills, Long, McAnuff, Ingimarsson, Karacan (Kebe 74), Bertrand, Sigurdsson, Thorvaldsson (Rasiak 63), Griffin.
Unused: Church, Hamer, Pearce, Khizanishvili.