Reading FC: New boss Jose Gomes will stick to his long-term game plan for massive cup clash at Old Trafford.

Royals are massive underdogs going into the FA Cup third-round clash at Old Trafford, have not won in 10 games and are one place off the bottom of the Championship.

United, meanwhile, have won all four Premier League matches under caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and are in free-scoring form.

But rather than attempt to park the bus tomorrow, Gomes will treat the game like any other as he tries to impart his footballing philosophy on the Reading players.

The 48-year-old Portuguese, who replaced Paul Clement on December 22, explained: “I have just arrived, I had training session number eight on Thursday.

“In my technical opinion, there is no logic in me changing completely my ideas I am sharing with my players over this short period of time because we are playing Manchester United.

“I must use the game to give players a chance to show what they have learned over this period against a strong, strong opponent.

“We will play under our football rules trying to show our football ideas.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer embraces Jesse Lingard. Picture: Nick Potts/PA Wire. 

He added: “When we prepare we always look and the strengths and weaknesses of our opponent and of course you have more stronger points when you talk about Manchester United.

“But I will not change the way I want to play. We will have to be careful with their strong points or we are dead before we start the game.”

Gomes also covered a number of other topics at yesterday’s pre-match press conference at Hogwood Park, while admitting ‘six or seven’ players have been told they can leave in January.

Missing the opportunity to face fellow Portuguese boss Jose Mourinho, who was sacked by Manchester United last month:

“He’s one of the greatest coaches in football history with titles in all the countries where he has worked.

“I respect him and I would like to play against his team, but this is life, there has been a change and they are doing very well.

“Even without Mourino we expect a very, very tough match.

“I must put my focus on my team for this match and not start talking about what happened with him.

“He is a great coach. To achieve what he has is extremely difficult.

Jose Mourinho left Manchester United last month. Picture: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.

“I do not know what happened, I just respect him and he has been very important to Portuguese coaches.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer impact:

“Manchester United decided a different thing, they are playing good football and the players look happy.

“So we have a new manager with different ideas and it looks like he is giving his players more freedom. The players look comfortable with that and this is what we are facing.”

Gomes on previous meeting with Manchester United in the Champions League in 2008/09:

“I was assistant at FC Porto when the head coach was punished in the stands.

“It was 2-2 at Old Trafford then we lost 1-0 when Cristiano Ronaldo scored a great goal and I think John O’Shea played.

“Playing against these teams is special and the atmosphere at Old Trafford is amazing.

“It’s a football day, like a football party and we must be happy to be part of it.

“I had a great experience there before and I would like to repeat it.

“But I also want my players to enjoy it because it is special.”

Team selection:

Liam Moore, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson, Danny Loader and Callum Harriott could all be involved, while Chris Gunter could return from injury.

Callum Harriott scored Reading's consolation goal against Swansea City last weekend on his first appearance for more than two years.

Gomes added: “We are reducing the number of players in the sqaud.

"Maybe we can see some players who are not playing often as I also need to rest some others who played the last three matches.

“Chris Gunter worked with us on Tuesday and hopefully he will be okay. If so, I may put him on the list.”