ANDREI Kanchelskis is back in a United shirt on Sunday, but says Ryan Giggs isn't ready to join him and the 'old boys' just yet.
The flying Russian winger will turn out at the MEN Arena in the Masters Bet 1128 Grand Final to try to steer the Reds veterans to success.
But the 38-year-old insists that his ex-Old Trafford colleague Giggs should not swap 90-minute Premiership action for the six-a-side, eight minutes each way game.
The wing wizards played together for the Reds in the early 90s, winning the inaugural Premier League in 1993 and then the club's first title and FA Cup double in 94.
But while Giggs went on to become Old Trafford's most decorated player, and is chipping away at Sir Bobby Charlton's all-time appearance record, Kanchelskis's stay lasted just four years and ended in 1995 with a mysterious finale as relationships soured amid injury problems and a transfer request.
Giggs is poised to sign another contract and Kanchelskis said: "I don't find it incredible that Ryan is still performing at the top level because he has always been a great professional who has looked after himself properly.
"If you are professional in your life and concentrate your efforts in training and in matches then you have a great chance of going on and on.
"I only finished last season at 38. I stopped when I was still at Premier League level in Russia. I didn't want to go down the divisions so I retired at top level.
"I think Ryan will do the same. But it won't be yet. If I can play to 38, why can't Giggs? Maybe he will play for another four or five years yet. At the moment I don't see any reason why not.
"I see a lot of Premiership football in Moscow and watch United a lot. Ryan is still fast and clever. He is still definitely good enough for that level.''
Kanchelskis's acrimonious exit in the so-called 1995 saw him go to Everton, Rangers, Fiorentina, City (on loan), Southampton, Saudi side Al-Hilal and then back to Russia for spells with Saturn Moscow Oblast and finally at Krylya Sovetov.
Now Sporting Director at Russian First Division side FC Nosta Novotroitsk, he added: "Maybe I could have played more for United and maybe I do have some regrets.
"But that's life. Its all in the past and all I really remember about United is that I had four great years at Old Trafford.
"They were wonderful times. The best of my career. The people at the club were very nice; there were great fans and a great atmosphere in the dressing room. United are still very much in my heart and I am a supporter now.
"It's great to be coming back to the city this weekend. It was a big surprise to me when I was invited to the Masters Grand Final to play for United and very exciting.
"I still play a bit of charity six-a-side football so I should be OK! I think Lee Sharpe and Denis Irwin are playing on Sunday so it will be great to team up with them again."
United won the North West Regional Grand Masters and now take on Motherwell on Sunday.
DOORS open at the M.E.N. Arena at 5pm and the matches kick off at 6pm. The running order for the tournament is: Game 1 Chelsea v Leicester; 2 Newcastle v Forest; 3 Leeds v Wolves; 4 United v Motherwell. Semi-finals: Game 1 v Game 2, Game 3 vs Game 4. Tickets (£14, concessions £8) from 0870 190 8000 or through
www.mastersfootball.com.
Who is United's greatest winger? Have your say
Andrei a flyin' Ryan fan
September 06, 2007
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Awesome player. The sight of him tearing down the wing was a joy to behold. Never used to understand how Fergie would drop him after Kanchelskis had an absolutely brilliant game the week before. Definitely one of the manager's best buys though.
Not a fair question. You have to be someone special to wear the Red shirt and play on the wing so they are all special. I mention only those I saw myself - Hill, Copell, Sharpe, Kanchelskis, Giggs and now Ronaldo and Nani. Look at the list and ask yourself how many other wingers you have seen in the last twenty or so years who were better than them?
Kanchelskis was my favourite player at that time. Always remember the European game against Barca at Old Trafford where he roasted the full back, Sergi possibly, so much so he was subbed at half time. Got the black Utd shirt, with Kancheskis name on it, cost me every penny in pocket money, and the bloody thing was ruined in its first wash!. Gutted
Kanchelskis was a breath of fresh air when he joined United. Such great skill and speed - defenders couldn't cope.
It was such a great shame he became so money obsessed. Remember, he stormed out of the club in 1993 after the first Championship win only to return with his tail between his legs.
Great player - yes. United great - no.
You would have to include David Beckham in any list of contemporary wide men, plus Danny Wallace who joined in 1989 along with Paul Ince. I believe Wallace was sold to Birmingham following several injuries and poor form.
Was Beckham our best wide man? Personally, I would rate Ronaldo higher.
George Best, no question.
Still nobody to match George Best
Gordon Hill.
Simply THE BEST!
To all those who said George Best - spot on. To those that didn't - it's because you didn't see George play...
I'd put KanKan up with the best of the rest though...
Georgie was the best but we have not had a flying winger on the right since Kan Kan until Ronnie came along. Becks had more to his game but Kan Kan was my favourite player as he tracked back too and I remember leftbacks like Dicks and Pearce looking on in fear. The tackle on Kan Kan by Taribo West in Serie A was a disgrace. Would be in my All-time Fantasy Premiership XI everytime!!
George Best wasn't so much a wide man as a free spirit.Kanchelskis as an out and out winger was the best.Ronaldo,Bestie move away from the flanks they don't feel so shackled to the wide role.Beckham for all the razzamataz is probably ranked about 5th best wide man.Giggs/Kanchelskis nothing more frightening than those two running at you.Ronaldo/Nani could equal it.Kanchelskis is remembered rightly with the greatest respect.His contribution was superb.Sadly like so many young men they get this feeling of pique or injustice and leave a great situation.Advice to the present players;stick with UNITED they're the best years you'll have in football.
Birdy a true fan! My shirt disaster was buying the speckled blue one I didn't like it anyway & it shrunk 3 sizes first wash.
got him for nowt what a player part of our best team since 68 the 94 double winners
# Let's go down to the football ground to see United play...
What shall we do when we get there..sing all our cares away..
Whose the one we're chanting for whose that certain someone...
Hey Hey clear the way cos that was Willie Morgan..
Willie..Willie Morgan.. Willie Morgan on the wing...
Willie..Willie Morgan.. Willie Morgan on the wing..
When Willie gets the ball he beats his man and shoots..
He's here there everywhere there's magic in his boots..
Just a minute there's a goal ..where did that ball come from../ Hey Hey clear the way cos that was Willie Morgan...
Willie..Willie Morgan.. Willie Morgan on the wing..
Willie..Willie Morgan.. Willie Morgan on the wing.....#
RYAN GIGGS,without question,he has stayed consistent over a great length of time,and its difficult to remember the number of games that he has won single-handedly for United.There were many lean spells during the times that he was injured.
You haven't got a winger in your squad to touch this lad!.
It sums it up to me how thick some of you rags are that you don't recognise a) how good this lad was and b) what a true out and out winger should operate like (A footballing Bugatti Veyron!).
He was better than Giggs (truly frightening) and I remember him single handedly tearing us apart (effin 5-0!), ruining my birthday and one David Brightwells football career at the swamp!
It's not often I'll post something nice on here, but he was a GREAT winger, one that would cost you £40, £50m today!, Shame some of you rags don't even know it!
There`s nothing to discuss,
George BEST, by miles n miles n miles. Bless him.
Only the fact that George existed, enabled a Giggs or Kanchelskis to emulate him...
Speed, cleverness, trickery, courage, Genius and tragedy all rolled into one.
All the others, on a good day, just remind us of George, they`re all good, to play for United they have to be, but Bestie was a Genius. Once in a lifetime, we were lucky to have him. The Aura surrounding United owes a lot to the Belfast Boy, he made us magic.
As I said, there`s nothing to discuss.