Reading FC captain Andy Yiadom is in a buoyant mood ahead of the English FA Cup fourth round clash against Manchester United FC.
The defender is anticipating a highly competitive game against the Red Devils this Saturday as they visit Old Trafford.
He was part of the squad that gave it a good go in 2019, only to come undone to the Red Devils’ star quality on the day.
But he’s hoping that the occasion will bring the best out of the Reading team – whether that’s senior players lending their experience, or young players taking to the Old Trafford turf for the first time
“When the draw was made, it was a big club… Manchester United!” said the skipper. “There’s been an extra buzz in training; a few two-footed challenges flying about! It’s competitive and everyone wants to be in the starting line-up.
“I was fortunate enough to play there before – Old Trafford is a massive stadium and it takes you away. So I’m looking forward to it – and whoever starts on Saturday has to go out there and give their all.
“I remember going there four years ago feeling excited – I hadn’t played there before. Those are good nerves – feeling excited. And if I play on Saturday, I think I’ll get the same kind of feeling. That feeling can give you an extra push to go and do well and run that extra yard.
“We started very well when we went there in 2019. But you need to take your chances when you play against a good team like Man United. We didn’t do that, and unfortunately we lost.
“I imagine there’ll be a mix of young players and senior players. I’m sure the young boys will be buzzing to go over there and play in front of 80,000 people – we’re all looking forward to it.
“We’ve got people like Shane Long, Andy Carroll… guys that have played in the Premier League and they’re senior players who help in the dressing room and help the young boys. It’s useful to have players like that in the dressing room on occasions like this.
“Everyone expects them to win – they’re a top club. But we’ll still go there and put up a fight. We’re confident and training well and we want to go there and cause an upset – that’s the magic of the FA Cup! You never know what can happen.”
