LIAM Moore has apologised for his role in a defensive howler which saw goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi kick the air instead of the ball as Reading FC slumped to a 4-0 defeat against Manchester United.

The home side were already cruising towards victory in the FA Cup third-round clash at Old Trafford following goals from Wayne Rooney, Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford.

Royals did not have a response to Jose Mourinho's star-studded side and found themselves under constant pressure throughout the game.

But things went from bad to worse in the most horrible fashion when Moore attempted a simple back-pass to Al-Habsi, who was put under instant pressure by Rashford.

And as the Oman stopper tried to clear his lines, he scuffed his kick and completely missed the ball, allowing Rashford to run past him and slot in United's fourth.

It just about summed Reading's day up in truth, and Moore said the team were disappointed with their performance. 

"Sometimes it's how you lose that matters and we are really disappointed to lose in that fashion," said the former Leicester City defender.

"We will go over it tomorrow, it's a good learning curve for us against a top side. We will pick from it what we can and then just focus on the league.

"If you're going to win these games you have to keep the goals out early doors and give yourself something to build on. 

"We didn't do that so it was always going to be an uphill battle."

Following United's flying start, Moore was handed a gilt-edged opportunity to pull one back for Stam's visitors when Joey van den Berg's scuffed volley fell in his path.

But Moore's reactions let him down as he watched the ball sail harmlessly wide of the goal.

"Looking back on it, I should have done better," admitted Moore.

"I had more time to maybe put my foot out in a different way and divert it goalwards.

"But that's all ifs, buts and maybes. They (United) did the job today and beat us 4-0, obviously we're really disappointed but we need to look forward now."

One of the main talking points in the game came in the second-half when Moore's backpass was scuffed by Al-Habsi, allowing Rashford to tap in a simple fourth.

But Moore was quick to shoulder some of the blame.

He continued: "It's a bit of an awkward one really. Ali will be disappointed and so am I.

"It happens sometimes, maybe if I had gone a bit further wide he would have dropped further off and the space would have been bigger for Rashford to press.

"Those things are going to happen every now and again with our style of play and I hold my hands up, you can't put all the blame on Ali."