Reading boss Paul Ince claims he is 'not bothered' by the prospect of coming up against his former side, Manchester United, on Saturday.

More than 3,000 Royals supporters are making the trip up to Old Trafford for the FA Cup fourth round clash, the third time the sides have met since 2017.

Despite ITV and the British railway network trying its hardest to spoil the day, no doubt it will be an exciting weekend for Reading supporters- a different proposition to usual Championship fare.

Speaking after the heavy 4-0 defeat to Stoke City on Saturday, the former England captain insists it is a distraction to the club's efforts of surviving in the second tier, but hopes supporters enjoy the ocassion.

Reading Chronicle:

"I’m not bothered about Manchester United, to be perfectly honest," the 55-year-old said. "It’s a great draw for the fans, financially it will be great for the club, but for me it’s just another distraction. It’s a fantastic day out, I’m disappointed it’s on a Saturday evening at 8pm on ITV with our fans who have got to get up there and back.

"Anybody would love the opportunity to play at Old Trafford, I played there for six years and won some fantastic trophies there. It’s the Theatre of Dreams, so for our players to experience that will be great. It’s nice to get that next week, it takes the Championship stress away, but it’ll be a great day for the fans."

Ince won nine trophies with the Red Devils, including two Premier League titles and two FA Cups, in the 1990s.

Making 281 appearances for Sir Alex Ferguson's side, it will be yet another homecoming for a Reading manager at Old Trafford.

Steve Coppell and Jaap Stam have both taken their sides to the Theatre of Dreams as Royals manager, none of them picking up a victory.