The FA Cup tie between Reading and Manchester United is not likely to capture the imagination of fans around the world.
The FA Cup is often seen as the most romantic and breathtaking cup competition in the world, despite losing some of that appeal over the years.
Regardless, it gives lower league sides a chance to cause a potential upset over one of the big boys and that is precisely the opportunity that faces Reading when they travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.
Another big story behind this one is that Jaap Stam will be returning to the place where he spent many successful years as a player, adding an extra element of interest to the game. Well, so you would think.
Jaap Stam
Unfortunately these kind of games will never grasp the attention of casual fans around the world, for a very simple reason – it’s same old, same old. United have had every single one of their FA Cup ties televised since 2005, meaning that a great deal of fans haven’t been able to watch their team’s cup clash as a result of satisfying the Red Devils.
Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho walks towards his house in London
So it doesn’t matter how many different elements there are involved in this game, it will never be one of the top matches during FA Cup weekend.
Perhaps if the schedule is divided up a tad more evenly among bigger and smaller clubs that would change, but due to the money gained from television revenue that seems unlikely to happen any time soon.
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