Giggs hails Reds steel

February 14, 2008

RYAN GIGGS: Determined to catch Arsenal

RYAN Giggs is confident Manchester United's "ugly" side will prove decisive in their Barclays Premier League title race with Arsenal.

The Gunners have surged five points clear at the top of the table and have won widespread praise for the attractive nature of their football.

But with 12 games still to play, and an FA Cup fifth-round clash between the sides to come this Saturday, Giggs insists beauty will prove only skin deep when matters reach a head in the coming months.

"I did notice the praise Arsenal were getting earlier in the season but it didn't really bother me. Arsenal were playing good football, but we felt we were as well," he said.

"I just thought 'right, you keep talking about Arsenal, put the pressure on them and keep saying that Arsenal have won the league already and that they're going to walk it'.

"It's always been the United way to try to win with good football but our ability to win ugly as well has been a trademark of the last 15 years or so."

Giggs believes that the 1-0 win gained against bitter rivals Liverpool at Anfield in December was an example of what is needed to claim the title.

"In the majority of games, we're going to try to play attractive football and score lots of goals but we also need the added steel for games like the ones at Liverpool this season and last," he claimed.

"We did not play particularly well in the last two games at Anfield but still managed to sneak a win. They are the kind of results that really do win leagues, not the big wins like 6-0 against Newcastle (on January 12).

"You find that every team you come up against in the Premier League is playing for something, whether it's battling to stay up, going for a place in Europe or trying to win a title.

"Many of those clubs would consider a point against United to be a good result, so you're coming up against sides that maybe don't intend to win.

"They just want to defend and get men behind the ball and that's what we'll have to try to overcome - teams that are trying to stifle our play."

Do you think United will haul Arsenal in? Have your say.

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Gerry, Glastonbury (14/02/2008 at 09:44)

It'll be interesting to see what side Arsenal put out as they've got Milan on the Wednesday.
Their bench looked very ordinary against Blackburn so I wouldn't put it past Arsene to rest a few for that Milan game. I think they have a few coming back from the Africa's Cup but they have quite a small squad compared to us and Chelsea.

RCH, Salford (14/02/2008 at 09:51)

Yeah, we know. We've seen that side quite enough already this season. How about you all try waking up before you go two goals down in a game instead?

The Kid (14/02/2008 at 09:51)

More spin from Giggsy. Unlike Scholsey and Sheringham whose brilliance was in their head, Ryan’s biggest asset was his pace. He lost that two years ago. Ferguson seems hell bent for one of his protégées to break the playing record, hence Ryan’s inclusion in the team regardless of form. Ryan has had a poor season. His displays at Spurs and City were woeful. He is never captain material. He is now resorting to media spin to gloss over his poor form. Unfortunately, the manager who is past his sell by date can’t see the woods from the trees, not only selecting him but making captain. The next two weeks are crucial. If defeat against Arsenal is followed by a poor performance at Lyon the season could end in damp squib. Never mind, at least Ryan has broken the appearance record. And, as the manager says he could play on for a few more years yet. Imagine where United might be if Wenger was the manager and had the unlimited financial resources offered to Ferguson. Oh, and by the way. How many outstanding young players have come through the youth team during the last years, so much for the famous youth policy?

spencertea, Brussels (14/02/2008 at 10:07)

Let face it : we're not playing attractive football and to win "ugly" like Giggsy is proposing, is not United's style. If he want to do us a favour : stay in the stand and let those who can still help us catching the gooners try and make it. Good servant, brilliant player, but he is the past.

edinburgh red, edinburgh (14/02/2008 at 10:09)

It is annoying how the press constantly big up arsenal much in the same way they appluad grant taking over at chelsea, because it must be tough turning around the best and biggest squad in premiership history with an endless warchest. Fergie and UTD get praised but def not as often the commentators especially tyler practically wet themselves describing arsenal. Giggs talking about steel and a hard fight, i'm afraid this will be achieved easier if he is out the squad, I dont know if nani is the answer but Giggs bar experience is doing nothing, no goals,pace or even passing happens now.

chris, oxford (14/02/2008 at 10:18)

This "steel" hasn't been particularly evident recently, especially not when we laid down so easily for City.

mr man utd (14/02/2008 at 10:19)

The Kid get over the moaning if you are a real Red,we are all dissappointed at how things are at the moment but to turn one on Fergie is over the top and scandalous and nonsense,they can have their Wenger,we have the best mananger of some generations,count the record and Fergie has won trophies more accross Europe.Go to hell,Wenger has the resources just like United but doesnt want to spent,or will not handle the pressure that comes after investments when everyone expect you to win everything.So dont say that.

About Giggs l agree he has been dissapointing the whole season bar one or two flashes of brilliance,so has been Scholes even before his injury,and should not be discarded but just used as impact players,who read the game from the bench.Those fans who say Nani is not upto it should think carefully,Nani and Wazza has more assists than anyone in the team and there is no way someone can give the best when you are not given a good run in the team,look at Anderson he took the chance and was given a run and suddenly he is better than Scholes,Carrick,Hargreaves and Fletcher comined.The same shoul be done to Nnai in a full strength winning team and you will sing Giggs who?

On another note l wish us fans can know we cant win them all,that is even difficult for me to say but for the sake of your health and mine its better to adopt this approach,for myself a bleading Red l am almost got admitted after our weekend loss

TMUF, Manchester (14/02/2008 at 10:42)

The Kid, yea I am sure Giggsy thought he is having such a bad season, he would talk to the press about Uniteds title chances!!!

As for Wenger, do you really think finishing 4th 2 seasons in a row winning nothing would have been good enough for us?

Lets not forget that if it wasnt for the Tottenham's food bug, they probably would have had one of those seasons without CL football.

Oh and not to forget that he has never won back to back titles never won in Europe going past the q.final stage a massive total of once. He couldnt even win the Uefa Cup!

I am not saying he isnt a good manager, I am saying we have a great one. It seems people always think the grass is greener on the other side.

Gentleman Jim, The garden shed. (14/02/2008 at 10:45)

I'm tired of the all the big talk after defeats and prior to games.....I'm tired of losing games we should win.....I'm tired of having no back up strikers, poor team selection and talk of exausted players.

I don't want words after the events of the weekend...I want actions.

I want bodies laid on the line in the cause....I want some grit and determination... I want to see players crying when a even a corner kick is conceeded...I want blood, sweat and snot all over the pitch...I want jock straps and shin pads thrown around the dressing room in a frenzied demonstration of masculine bonding.....I want Sir Alex throwing not just tea cups but the whole dam ern...I want to see big Jim Holton back in the side....I want a report on my desk first thing in the morning mister...

Most of all I want the dreadful deadpan Wenger and his smug, post match, cultish mantras about mental strength silenced.

Thomas, Norway (14/02/2008 at 11:03)

I think our players should stop mouthing in the media about how strong the team is, the strenght in debth etc etc. It could all bite us in the ass at the end of the season ending up with nothing. You dont see too much of the Arsenal players talking the talk. They seem to do all the talking on the pitch. Im totally confident we can put out a run of good results with a serie of wins, but still it will be very difficult to catch the gunners now. We have yet to see Ronaldo put out a great performance against the top sides, and considering he is our top goalscorer it could prove to be vital.

John M, Whitefield (14/02/2008 at 11:05)

I dont kwon about playing ugly , it would be nice if they turned up on saturday.In the 44 years I have been watching united I have never seen such a bad performance, even the year we got relegated the team showed some heart, not on sunday. If we dont beat the gunners on saturday and when they come to o.t its the end of the season

TMUF, Manchester (14/02/2008 at 11:16)

Thomas the reason why you dont see Arsenal players talking as much as our players is because you are a United fan and not an Arsenal fan!

What is it with you, maybe you are a closet United fan.

I think people should realise that its not like the players ring up the media and say I want an interview, over 90% of the time, it is due to media obligations and the press asking the players questions!

I for one am pleased that we get to hear from the players. I assume that those players who complain about players giving interviews would also be complaining if the only news we got was the post match interviews.

ted knott, droylsden (14/02/2008 at 12:06)

a brave front or a false front Hmmmmmmm

COLIN,, Canada (14/02/2008 at 12:08)

Gerry, you won't see anyone rested for this one. His players are young and fit so two games like United and Milan in February are not a problem. We sometimes forget that Wenger has taken two years without winning anything to put this team together. Like us he is a bit short up front but the two he has are spectacular. Look at all the other positions and the team is solid playing the same brand of football week in and week out. Chelsea on the other hand is a team put together by money. Lots of it. We can't discount them at this stage simply because they have such great players but they have one heck of a mountain to climb to overtake Arsenal and win the prem. Of the three teams, Chelsea are the team that wins ugly. They just churn out the 1-0 scores and have no problems with it while we want goals and lots of them. We seem to have lost a bit of cohesion in the team and the lack of a settled mid field may have a bit to do with it. Fabregas starts every game, young and everything flows through him. We rarely start the same mid field two weeks in a row as Fergie believes in matching the opposition. Personally, I would start Anderson and Carrick each game with Hargreaves sitting just behind them. Ronny wide right with Roo starting wide left of Tevez works because of Wayne's work rate and he makes more goals than he scores. I have resigned myself to Brown at right back although I would prefer JOS there. His touch and passing are much better than Browns and he is a better player than a lot of people give him credit for. We need a settled team but I don't think we will see it. With the players we have, put the pressure on them. Make them have to defend against our pace.

RANDYRED (14/02/2008 at 12:11)

id sell giggs now to any club wanting his skills for a season or 2 at the most,cash in on him and bring in the new bloods,thats goes for scoles(been a brilliant playet but hes time has come) and brown,sly,jos,and the other misits.
We need new players brought in eg a striker that we was promised.
Id take mifsud from coventry the mosquito.

The Kid (14/02/2008 at 12:26)

There are none so blind as those who cannot see. Sure Ferguson is a great English manager, his record shows that. However his European record, considering the resources at his disposal is abysmal. One European Cup Final in 21 years is pathetic. Also, how many players have come through the ranks during the last six years? Fletcher, O’Shea, to name but two. Anybody can sign a Rooney, Tevez, Ferdinand, etc. His record of signing injury prone players cannot be bettered. Saha had a dreadful injury record at Fulham, yet he still signed him. Hargreaves missed most of Bayern’s season, yet he signed him. Contrast the resources Wenger has had, and look at his team. Sundays display was nothing short of disgraceful; I can’t recall a more inept performance. These are facts. Another repeat of Sunday’s performance against Arsenal and Lyon we could find ourselves out of both cups. Then the financial pressure will be cranked up. Let see if the Glazers dip into their own pockets to allow him another extravagant transfer spree. Fortunately, according to Ferguson we could get another 2 season’s out of Ryan Giggs.

Thomas, Norway (14/02/2008 at 12:44)

Well said Gentleman Jim. Let`s bleed for the cause!

KAy (14/02/2008 at 12:46)

This is probably the most important time as fans.i know united fans have not given up the chase yet.Believe me the title will stay.iknow that for sure come April we would be on top again.Amen!!!!

Red B (14/02/2008 at 13:07)

I agree with The Kid- No room for sentiment- the tactics on Sunday were pathetic. We have rode our luck all season- games against Spurs, Reading, Everton, Birmingham etc etc. I think our performance levels have gone backwards since last season- even though we have bought what I consider very good players. I think Nani will come good. I also think Anderson should be on the team with OH every week.

All of this chopping and changing the team, especially the midfield has irritated me. The negative tactics are probably the result of CQ getting more voice. Giggs and scholes are almost finished, and the state of our youth system in the last 15 years has been a disgrace. Sell the dead wood Fergie- Oshea, Fletcher, Brown, Carrick, Giggs, Sivestre.

true devil, london (14/02/2008 at 13:35)

see gentleman jim comments
i cannot add anymore

Steve, Glossop (14/02/2008 at 14:42)

Beating Arsenal @OT is obviously key to the PL let's hope the right team is played this time. I accept having options in CM is good but IMO from now to the end of the season play the best players every game. That means Anderson instead of Carrick any day. If Ryan's not cutting it he has to be dropped same with Scholes if he hasn't got the legs right now. Of course we can still win it.

Red B (14/02/2008 at 15:01)

Very True Steve from Glossop! Lets get some continuity and keep the best team playing- also we should ditch the negative tactics, although I do acknowledge that last seasons fantastic attacking football was the result of a fit Saha. He has proved to be a waste of time, but when fit is a great player- arial ability, speed and can beat players. We need another world class centre forward along with Manucho Give that Manucho a chance- but is he another Dong?- if he is you have to question our scouts. I think Martin Ferguson has outstayed his welcome.

As for Giggs and Scholes- both have been great servants, but realistically at 33 & 34 respectively, they are coming to the end- especially giggs. I'd play VDS, Pique (RB), Rio, Vidic, Evra, Nani, OH, Anderson, Ronnie, Tev & Wazza

"overhere", India at present (14/02/2008 at 15:32)

You know I think we all understand that any new players need time, any young blood needs development, this I can cope with.But if I see Giggs leading us out once more I think I will puke.

Worsley Blue Bob, Walkden (14/02/2008 at 16:02)

Gentleman Jim,
at least Wenger turns up for the post match speech!

Gerry, Glastonbury (14/02/2008 at 20:03)

Gentleman Jim - Loved it, a classic mate.

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