Jose Mourinho believes Reading will provide a test in the Emirates FA Cup third round - as the Championship is such a strong division.
The Reds, keen to go one better than last season when we were beaten in the final by Chelsea, were paired with the Royals in Monday's draw at Stamford Bridge.
The meeting is the third FA Cup clash between the two teams in the past six seasons after ties in 2013 and 2017, both won by United at Old Trafford.
Reading are currently one place above the relegation zone in the Championship, after parting company with former Red Jaap Stam last March and replacing him with Paul Clement.
“I think the Championship teams are much better than before,”
Jose told MUTV.
“They are very, very, very similar teams, not just in the potential but the way they play, to many Premier League teams. So, to play against Reading, is no different, to me, to playing against the majority of Premier League teams.
“So it's good to play at home, obviously, yes. One less game to travel to with so many matches. It's better to play in your stadium with two-thirds of our fans so that's a positive draw. But it's not an easy opponent.”
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