Reading boss Paul Ince has warned his players about the mental toll of playing at Old Trafford.
The former Manchester United midfielder spent six years as a Red Devil in the 1990s, winning more than 10 major trophies before moving to Inter Milan.
Just two players in line to play tonight were in the squad the last time the Royals visited the Theatre of Dreams, although the likes of Shane Long and Andy Carroll were Premier League regulars.
Speaking ahead of the FA Cup glamour tie, Ince warned his players that it was not the physicality that could prove an issue, but the ocassion.
"What you’ve got to prepare for is the atmosphere. There will be 70,000 fans there, Saturday night, you’ve got to prepare for what Old Trafford brings. That’s something most of my players haven’t experienced. It’s more about that, mentally, than playing the game.
"Fortunately enough I’ve been lucky to walk out at Old Trafford in a full house, it can be intimidating. When you’ve not done it before you can get stuck in the lights with the awe of it. These are the things I’ll be talking to my players about, what I’ve experienced and what you’re going to experience. There’s no pressure on us to win the game. I want to win the game; I’m not going for a sightseeing tour that’s for sure. For us, we’ve got a chance of causing an upset."
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