By Sarah Holt

Murty is enjoying Reading's best Cup run since 1927

Reading captain Graeme Murty insists his side are not afraid of facing Manchester United in the fifth round of the FA Cup at Old Trafford on Saturday.

The Royals held United to a 1-1 draw in their first Premiership meeting and Murty believes they can match United.

"We are not a big club but we have done our best against everyone and have not been over-awed," Murty told BBC Sport.

"You can allow Manchester United to be hard or you can embrace the challenge - and that's what we've done this year."

Reading have taken their Premiership rivals by surprise, climbing to sixth in their debut season.

Now the Royals, under the guidance of Steve Coppell, aim to replicate that success in the FA Cup by reaching the quarter-finals for the first time in 80 years.

"The fifth round is the furthest we've been in the Cup for quite some time so of course we want to advance," said Murty.

You want to play against the best and that's why it is never disappointing to play Manchester United Graeme Murty

"Things have progressed for us as a club and this would be a nice Cup run for us as well.

"But we are a fairly humble bunch and, I know it's boring, but we only look to do as well as we can in the next game."

Coppell won the FA Cup with Manchester United in 1977 and will not be expecting the 11-time FA Cup winners to take the tie lightly.

Nonetheless, Coppell is expected to stick with many of the fringe players, who negotiated the earlier rounds against Burnley and Birmingham, when he returns to take on his former club.

Even skipper Murty, the club's longest-serving player, does not expect to see his name on the team sheet, but should he play it will be the right-back's job to keep United winger Cristiano Ronaldo in check.

"We've changed the team every game and the guys who have played have done really well so they deserve a chance to go and play on the best stage in British football," said Murty.

"I have played against Ronaldo twice before and he is an exceptional talent.

"On his day he is one of the best players in the world and can make anyone look like a fool if he chooses too.

"You want to go and play against the best players that you can, you want to go and match them - that's why it's never disappointing to play against Manchester United."