"It just wasn't our day," he told Sky Sports.
"We broke them down alright, had some good chances and some good movement.
"In the second half, chances started to come. We had some good chances and we just didn't take them.
"Credit to them, they battled, they wanted a result and they got one.
"I can understand anyone coming here and doing that.
"The loss of Wayne Rooney was obvious - I think if he'd been on the pitch we'd have won the match."
Steve Coppell was happier with the day than his opposite number.
"We had a game plan, which was disciplined, and for once we got a return from it. The discipline from my players was admirable and to keep it going for 90 minutes was terrific.
"But going down to ten men for 15 minutes is not recommended when you're coming to Old Trafford, we lost a player last year as well. It's hard enough with 11."
"We came here to get a result, we came here to try win the game but we know it's hard," the Reading manager said.
"They are the champions, they are the home team. They have the responsibility and they accept the responsibility to make the play. We just made it difficult for them and today it worked.
"We're grateful for the point."
Patrice Evra agreed with the referee's decision to send off Dave Kitson.
"I went to kick the ball and I just saw his foot coming towards me," recalled the France international.
"I don't understand why he did it. It was very bad. It is the right decision to send him off."