There will be more than one Ince heading back to Old Trafford in the FA Cup on Saturday night.

Paul needs no introduction of course, the midfield lynchpin of Sir Alex Ferguson’s first great Manchester United team and now manager of Championship underdogs Reading.

His son Tom is the Royals leading scorer this season. He was born nearly 31 years ago when dad played for United and as a toddler regularly kicked a ball about at the theatre of dreams with other famous offspring, Kasper Schmeichel and Alex Bruce.

His arrival coincided with two fourth round ties against Southampton. Paul played the replay a few days after welcoming his son but United lost on penalties following a 2-2 draw. ‘I’m surprised I never got the blame for that,’ smiles Tom, who has fortunately inherited his slim build and even temperament from mum, Claire.

Despite their different personalities, father and son have found they can work well together, first at Notts County, then Blackpool and now in Berkshire.

‘We’re coach and player once we go through the gates for training and then family when we leave,’ says Tom. ‘In fact he’s probably 10 times harder on me than anyone else.

‘I must admit calling him Dad a couple of times out of instinct but the other lads accept the situation, they know there is no favouritism.

'There is pressure of always being referred to as “son of” but I don’t get tired of it because I am actually proud to be an Ince and what he achieved.

'I was too young to really remember him at United but I’ve seen all the clips with the Afro and high shorts, and know the history.

'When Roy Keane put him in the best United XI (ahead of Paul Scholes), it makes you realise how respected he is. But it’s still surreal to hear him called legend because I just see him as Dad.' 

Paul was known as the Guv’nor during a legendary career with West Ham, United, Inter Milan, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Wolves and England.

He’s also managed at all levels and re-emerged at Reading last season after eight years out the game. Other than a 4-0 defeat at Stoke last Saturday, they’ve been competitive despite being under transfer embargo.

Paul always refers to his eldest as Thomas and clearly respects he’s been able to forge his own career with 10 different clubs including Derby and Stoke despite the famous name he has to live up to.

‘He’s always been grounded which is what you want from your children no matter what they do in life,’ says Paul.

‘I never pushed him to be a footballer but when he was six, I saw him juggle a tennis ball 200 times on his left foot, bang-bang-bang. So it was clear what choice he was going to be.

‘You need to be passionate about what you do. My other son Daniel is into golf and my daughter Rhia speaks languages. Thomas was always football.

‘We call him the oracle because he watches all the games. He can tell me about players from Germany, France, Italy.

‘Half the other lads didn’t see the Manchester derby that’s just been on. It was baffling to a football obsessive like me! Thomas is different. I'll get requests to record matches because Lazio or whoever are playing.’

‘It’s helped Thomas that he’s a different type of player to me. He’s a winger, technically better than I was and scores goals. I’m sure it was harder for Kasper Schmeichel following Peter as a goalkeeper, or Alex Bruce being a defender like Steve.

Ince Jr has played at Old Trafford three times before with Hull and Huddersfield but never won.

‘There will always be a family affinity with United. Back in the day Ryan Giggs lived with us for a few months which was crazy because he was my favourite player growing up, trying to be a tricky winger.

‘I’d actually missed the draw. Mum texted me to say “Man United away!” I’m an Arsenal fan so wanted them or Tottenham because their stadium is meant to be out of this world. But Man United, that will definitely do! It’s an iconic place.

‘I can’t see us going toe-for-toe. It might be a bit of camping in our box and trying to nick a lucky goal, deflecting off someone’s shoulder.

‘You hope they put out the big guns Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro because our lads want to test themselves against the best but any team they put out will have top players. The most important thing for me is to try and affect the game.'

Paul is likely to get a warm reception. Past disagreements with Ferguson are long gone and he revealed in a previous interview with Mail Sport: ‘Fergie said if he could give me one bit of advice it would be “Don’t give the players an inch.”

Erik ten Hag has been similarly focussed at United and sat next to him in the dug-out is Steve McClaren, who has managed both generations of Inces.

‘I loved playing for Steve at Derby and I’m sure he’s had a big part to play in United’s revival. It was a very shrewd move to bring him in,’ assesses Tom.

‘He is absolutely fantastic for forward players. He thinks about ways to attack and will spend extra time coaching one-to-one. I don’t know exactly what his role is at United now but I wouldn’t be at all surprised if players like Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho have benefited.

‘He also managed Dad at Middlesbrough. I’m sure he’d say I had the better shot, but not in front of Dad being the hothead he is!’

Reading have their own warhorse in former Liverpool and England centre-forward Andy Carroll.

‘Big Andy’s record up top speaks for itself,’ says Tom admiringly.

‘As a winger, it’s brilliant to lift my head and see AC in the box. I know if I put it in the space, there is only one winner – no matter who the defender is. His hold-up play is good and his mentality epitomises the fight and desire we have as a team.’

Like his parents, Ince Jr also has three children. Away from the regular family home, Paul and Tom shared an apartment for a while in Reading.

‘It wasn’t too bad to be fair,’ says Tom. ‘Dad fancies himself as a bit of a chef from his time in Italy so he did all the dinners while I put my feet up.

‘But after a few months, I thought, I am 30 so really should have my own space!’

They have a bit of fun too. When Ince Sr was on the TV panel for the recent Wolves-Liverpool game and pornographic sounds went off in the studio, Tom was listening at home and texted him to ask what was going on.

‘The funny thing was Dad didn’t have a clue. He couldn’t hear what the noises were through his headset so it was me explaining to him!’

Two days after the United game, Thomas turns 31. An appearance at Old Trafford is clearly a wonderful way to celebrate but Dad is abdicating responsibility for any other further gifts.

‘Claire will get the birthday present from us,’ he says firmly. ‘As you can see, as a football manager I haven’t got time to go out shopping!’