"Yip Jaap Stam is a big Dutchman..."

The Old Trafford faithful begin singing for their former hero. I can't give you the rest of the words as we are not past the watershed.

Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton are watching on. Whose day will this be? United's? Rooney's?

Image source, Reuters

BBC Radio 5 live

Reading boss Jaap Stam on 5 live Sport: "This game isn't about me but about my team. It is a great occasion, playing in the FA Cup at Manchester United. 

"This is obviously something special for me, but the focus is on trying to enable my team to do well here at Old Trafford. 

"But it will be great to walk back out onto the pitch, this time not as a player but as a manager. A great feeling."

Manchester United

More from Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho: “Today the priority is the FA Cup, tomorrow it becomes the League Cup. Every match is important for Manchester United. You can see that I have changed a few players but I trust these guys. If I think I could lose the game with this team, I don’t change. We respect the opponents, they will give us a very tough match.

"Reading have a manager who is a very experienced man at this level, he will pass on a positive feeling to his players, they won’t be nervous, they will enjoy the game.”

"Please welcome Reading and Manchester United," cries the stadium announcer.

Out strides Andre Marriner, he confidently picks the ball off its stand - job one of the day done Andre.

Jaap Stam follows the players out, he's wrapped up warm in a black coat.

Image source, Reuters

Pat Nevin
Ex-Chelsea winger at Old Trafford for 5 live Sport

Image source, AP

I've just seen the lesser-spotted Bastian Schweinsteiger on the substitutes' bench - I haven't seen much of him recently. 

Any team United put out are full of quality, because I believe the club has the best, the deepest, the strongest squad in the Premier League. 

The likes of Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young don't play every week, but of course they are not bad players. So a chance to give players like that a run out today will only benefit the side in the long run.

Jose Mourinho stands on his own in the tunnel, he looks quite lonely but then he's joined by referee Andre Marriner and the pair have a chat. Mourinho nods, it's as if they are debating something. The best of buds, for now.

Here come the players...

Just to temper any hope of an upset here, the last time Reading beat Manchester United in the FA Cup was 1927. That year Cardiff lifted the trophy and Newcastle won the title. Much can change in 90 years.

Mark Lawrenson
Former Liverpool defender on Football Focus

They've made nine changes, but Manchester United's starting XI today would finish eighth in the league – that’s how strong they are.

Kevin Kilbane
Former Preston & Everton winger on Football Focus

Jaap Stam almost used to cover the defence on his own, United would send so many bodies forward he would cover on his own he was that quick, and he brought so much to United.

When he went to Reading in pre-season he made an immediate impression on the players, got them playing and got them together straight away. 

They have big potential to get promoted this season.

Reading manager Jaap Stam told BBC South Today:

"We know it's going to be a tough game, but we've got confidence in ourselves, we believe in what we can do.

"Of course it doesn't make it easier for you if you've got to play Manchester United. But we're looking forward to this game. You want to go to places like Old Trafford and show what you can do.

"It's always nice for a manager to have a game like this, but also for the players and for the squad to have an opportunity to face quality players."

Manchester United

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho:

"We don't need to go to Reading for a replay. It would be even worse if we were out of the competition in the first game. We have to try and win.

"We need points in the Premier League and got 18 in a short period of time. Now it is Reading and Hull in the EFL Cup semi [on Tuesday], which is very important. A busy time for us. We are in good situation with everyone available."

Manchester United vacate the pitch as a bang ugly tune blares out - I believe it's The Vamps with 'All Night'.

Make it stop. It does and now only Reading's substitutes are on the Old Trafford turf. The teams will be with us shortly...

Pat Nevin
Ex-Chelsea winger at Old Trafford for 5 live Sport

Reading have had a really good season and are challenging at the top of the Championship.

They like to get the ball down and are comfortable in possession, but of course it's asking a lot for any visiting team to see most of the ball here at Old Trafford.

The Royals will come here will come here without even an ounce of fear in their blood. They are a side in form and are the underdogs, and those things work in their favour.

David Pleat
Former Tottenham boss at Gander Green Lane for 5 live Sport

FA Cup Third Round Day is a day of feeling a tingling sensation. If you are a big club you just don't want to slip up. If you are small club taking on a big side you have nothing to lose - it's wonderful, with the potential for so much publicity. 

It's a magical day, and there are always some shocks.

Image source, Getty Images

The matchday announcer goes big with his opening gambit: 

"This is the home of the world's greatest football club".

Barcelona and Real Madrid may have something to say about that.

Wayne Rooney points and gives instruction to Marcus Rashford. The captain is starting early in handing out orders it seems.

I picked you out, I shook you up and turned you around

Turned you into someone new...

Image source, .

Some tune, some tune indeed.

The Human League's 'Dont You Want Me' was number one in the charts the last time Manchester United lost an FA Cup tie against a second-tier side.

That takes us back to January 1982, when Watford knocked the Red Devils out.

Image source, PA

Jaap Stam arrives here facing all the old questions about his Manchester United departure as a player, his relationship with Sir Alex Ferguson, etc. 

Away from all the nostalgia he is of course overseeing some splendid form at Reading, they've lost just twice in 10 outings and sit third in the Championship, six points off an automatic promotion place with a game in hand.

Three wins on the spin ahead of this fixture, so they have some momentum. Upset anyone? 

I have a stat for you next which perhaps points to no such away-day joy...

Football Focus

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Hear hear, Adam. Who doesn't love a bit of magic?

Wayne Rooney emerges from the tunnel to a tame roar from the crowd. Paul Pogba follows and looks around as if he expects a few cheers but few come. The home side begin their warm up, Marouane Fellaini with the warmest head on show despite not wearing a hat. My word that's a hairstyle. It gets thicker every week.

There are some Jaap Staam scarves on show. I really hope he has one of those at home. Just draped across the top of his TV or something. 

Image source, Reuters