New Reading manager Jose Gomes has dismissed the impact of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at FA Cup opponents Manchester United.

Gomes instead was quick to highlight the role of the players in United's upturn in form.

Asked to assess their FA Cup third-round opponents, he told a media conference: "These players, and it's my opinion, even if nobody is on the bench, they can win without one [a manager].

"You can't say they are stronger now to in the past. It doesn't matter the manager during the week - they can win the matches."

Reading lie 23rd in the Championship and are without a win in 10 games but Gomes - who took over at the Madejski Stadium on December 22 - is excited at the prospect of facing a club of United's stature.

"They are one of the biggest clubs in the world," he said. "If you go to China, South America, all the kids follow and choose to play PlayStation as Manchester United.

"It's a special moment to play against these teams. The atmosphere at Old Trafford, it's like a football party, and my players must be happy to be part of it. It will be a very tough game for us but, in football, anything can happen."