Manchester United fullback Matteo Darmian admits he grew up a fan of Reading boss Jaap Stam.

Darmian was an AC Milan junior when the United legend played for the Italian giants.

The Royals visit Old Trafford on Saturday for an FA Cup third-round tie against United.

"Yes, when I was young, Stam was playing for AC Milan. I think he was a brilliant defender, one of the best in the world," Darmian told United Review, the official programme for Saturday's match.

"Unfortunately I didn't have any contact with him but I trained a lot with his team-mate Paolo Maldini, my idol. Maldini was a great defender and I tried to learn everything from him."

Stam brings Reading to Old Trafford for an intriguing tie in the FA Cup third round, the stage of the competition that pitted Darmian and his team-mates against another visiting team from outside the Premier League, Sheffield United, 12 months ago.

"It was not an easy game because I think Sheffield United played with 11 players around the box," recalled Matteo, who made his first ever appearance in the Cup that day.

"It was difficult to find some space but at the end we won with a penalty in the last minute. The most important thing was the victory."