Dolan- Ill pick players for United game

Dolan was handed the reins temporarily on Monday after Zingarevich sacked Brian McDermott with the club four points from safety. After McDermott's assistant Nigel Gibbs followed him out the exit door, Zingarevich turned to Dolan - the club's academy director for the past eight years - to lead the team.

The 45-year-old has denied, however, that he is merely a figurehead after fronting the media for the first time. Dolan was immediately quizzed about whether he would have full control of selecting the team and, while that prompted some uncomfortable silences, he said: "I would never be disrespectful to our owner."

Dolan added: "He's trying to take the club forward. I've not been at a club ever where the board try and pick the team. You hear about that abroad but I genuinely don't think you hear about that in England."

Asked directly whether Zingarevich would pick the team to play at Old Trafford, a long pause followed, before Dolan said: "Obviously not. He's asked me to pick the team.

"He's spoken about trying to get a result and that's genuinely all he said. Anton has spoken to me every day. It's his football club. But I will also speak to Nicky Hammond who is the director of football."

Dolan revealed that while McDermott may now be gone he would still seek his advice before the weekend.

The pair have become close friends since Dolan moved to Reading, after leaving his post as Exeter boss almost a decade ago, and have spoken every day since McDermott's axing.

"Brian is a great friend of mine," Dolan said. "I've spoken to him each day and I will speak to him as a friend again before the weekend. All he has said to me so far is, 'Good luck, get a result'.

"All he wants is for Reading to get a result. That's our aim on Saturday."

Source: PA

Source: PA