Reading boss Paul Ince admitted he is hoping for a return to former clubs Manchester United or Liverpool in the FA Cup.

With the third round draw taking place on Monday, all Championship and Premier League clubs will join those who have fought through previous rounds.

Last season, the Royals were embarrassingly knocked out by non-league Kidderminster Harriers.

Due to take place on the first weekend of January, Ince is hoping for a trip to previous homes Old Trafford or Anfield.

In his illustrious playing career, he won two FA Cup medals with the Red Devils in 1990 and 1994.

Speaking to the media from Tenerife, he said: "I love the FA Cup. It’s a fantastic trophy, thankfully I was fortunate enough to win it a few times. You have to take it seriously. It’s different with the Carabao Cup, because it’s at the start of the season you don’t want to have to play your full team.

"The FA Cup is something that I loved playing in, the experience of, I love going up against the top managers of the Premier League. These games are good because you might be able to play Liam Moore, or Naby [Sarr], Scott Dann- it might be an extra game for them. I definitely want to take it seriously.

"In an ideal world, Manchester United away would be quite nice, or Liverpool. Ultimately, it’s everybody’s dream to win the FA Cup but there has to be some realism about it. We saw it years ago with Wigan and Wimbledon winning it, but normally it’s the big clubs that win the FA Cup. The fans love it, and if you get a good draw- some of these fans have never been to Old Trafford or Anfield, or the Etihad- so to get one of those big clubs would be a great experience for the fans.

"You’re always hoping you get a top team, or if you don’t then you win your first round and get one in the fourth round.  It’s miles away from my thinking at the moment, but it’s something I’ll have to think about in a few weeks."

Reading have travelled to Manchester in the Cup twice recently, losing 4-0 in 2017 under fellow United legend Jaap Stam.

Jose Gomes' team lost 2-0 in Lancashire in 2019.

The last meeting with Liverpool during the Cup was a successful one, famously winning at Anfield in 2010 after a Shane Long goal in extra-time.