Reading 0 Manchester Utd 2:Graeme Murty had arranged to get Cristiano Ronaldo's jersey at the end of the game, so the Reading captain was angry when it then went missing in the dressingroom.

The prime suspect lies in the ranks of the apprentices, who had better beware. This episode, trivial as it may be, does underline the status that the Portuguese holds in the minds of most of Manchester United's opponents.

Reading could only be admired for their determination to carry the game to the visitors, but it is still an advantage to the Premier League leaders that they can usually inspire a little awe.

Ronaldo thrives on that and so far has been comparatively ineffective against major clubs who are impervious to his charisma. He has not, for instance, done especially well yet against Chelsea, who are more likely to be after his scalp than his shirt as a keepsake.

It is only elite defenders such as those at Stamford Bridge who are right to think that they can compete with Ronaldo on equal terms. A breakaway goal in stoppage time at the Madejski was his 23rd of this campaign, equalling the attacker's total for the whole of last season.

Despite the overall splendour of United's squad, Reading boss Steve Coppell is adamant that it is Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney, scorer of the opener, who make the difference. "Two frighten me, the rest don't," he said. "If they don't play, they are a different team."

Coppell observed that Rooney has been missing on the three occasions United were defeated in the league this season. "That is significant. At Aston Villa (in the FA Cup) it is 0-0, Rooney comes on and the game's transformed (into a 2-0 win). That combination, that electricity between (Rooney and Ronaldo), that is what you have got to stop."

United, however, are not affording the pair any special treatment. Instead of enjoying recovery time close to home, the squad flew to Riyadh on Saturday evening to take part in a testimonial match for the former Saudi Arabia attacker Sami Al-Jaber.

Those naive enough to think this a meaningless exercise are forgetting the fee in excess of €1 million United will receive.

At Reading, United simply got a run for their money. Leroy Lita could not get a shot past Edwin van der Sar in the ninth minute and Dave Kitson might have had a penalty in the melee that ensued. After 32 minutes van der Sar went far from his line to clear and was stranded as Kitson aimed for the net from 40 yards, but a backpedalling Rio Ferdinand headed clear.

The match was still goalless in the 67th minute when Kitson got behind Nemanja Vidic. With van der Sar closing on him, the forward's bid to hoist the ball over the fast-approaching goalkeeper was unwise. Opting for that method against the tall Dutchman at close quarters is like trying to lob a church spire.

Reading, with Kevin Doyle breaking on the right, virtually fielded three attackers. "I thought, 'sod it, let's just attack them, put more forwards on'," Coppell said of his plan. "It's the best way of defending, to try to attack."

United felt the effects. "That was probably our hardest game of the season physically," said Ferdinand. "They worked us very hard to earn our win. We were defending one minute, attacking the next, then defending again."

For all Reading's endeavour, United were capable of making enough openings to assume command. There were 13 minutes left when Tevez piloted a ball through from the left and Rooney sent it beyond Marcus Hahnemann with a perfect touch.

"Frustration can overwhelm some teams," said Ferdinand, "but we've got players who have been at this level three or four years now and they can handle it. Rooney and Ronaldo aren't going to change the way they play."

Nor will many opponents prevent that duo from succeeding in the end.