UNITED avoided a post-Japan hangover in 1999 now Ryan Giggs wants a repeat.
Nine years ago the Treble winners returned with the Intercontinental Cup after beating Brazilians Palmeiras to hammer Everton 5-1 at Old Trafford.
Ten starters from Tokyo took their places in Sir Alex Ferguson's XI four days later.
Among them was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who made a mockery of jet lag, to slam four past the Merseysiders.
Giggs sees no reason why United cannot do the same against Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium on Boxing Day.
"I cannot actually remember how I was feeling in terms of what the travel took out of me, but we were obviously okay," said the Welshman.
"The one thing 99 gave us was confidence. There was a buzz about us coming back.
"It is December and we have won a trophy already and that should give us the confidence to go into the Christmas period.
"There is no reason why we shouldn't go on a roll. We are focusing our sights on putting together a consistent run that will see us get back on track in the Premier League.
Special
"We are in good form because we have played well in the two matches in Japan so that's good going into the Boxing Day game.
"It is going to be special for Stoke. It was always going to be some atmosphere there anyway because Man United going there hasn't happened for a long time."
"They were going to be up for it no matter what. Now that we are World Champions it adds an edge to it. They'll want to beat us even more so now.
"But we have dealt with it before and can do so again."
Jetlag appears to be Sir Alex's biggest concern ahead of Stoke. However, his star performer in Japan, Wayne Rooney, is said to have felt the after effects of the 6,000-mile journey less than most.
The striker is itching to play against Stoke on Boxing Day.
"It's a big game and a big time of the season for us so it's important we pick up the three points," he said. "We know it'll be tough especially after having only just returned from Japan.
"But all the games are winnable over Christmas and we're confident we can beat Stoke and Middlesbrough.
Dimitar Berbatov could be set to partner Rooney after missing out on the World Club Cup with a virus but Patrice Evra begins his four-match ban.
Stoke form: WWWWLD
United form: LLDWDW
Key opponent: Rory Delap - his long throw is likely to be Stoke's best weapon
Prediction: Stoke 0 United 2 - the world champions are ready to hit top gear
Agree with the prediction? Have your say
You can get 5/1 on United winning 2-0 with BetFred. For more odds click
here
Preview: Stoke v United
December 24, 2008
Comments
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I would think that a lot of those who didn't play in the final may well get a game at Stoke. Giggs,Scholes, The Berb, Nani etc - the jet lag factor will come into it.
We can now finally see United step up the pace and regain top spot from Liverpool who have been nicely warming the seat for us. It’s gonna be a shame not to see Evra, so we gonna have to put up with O’Shea. Hopefully he can at least pass the ball straight.
I wish fergie don’t play with Gary, Giggs or Scholes to start with, as we have too many good players ahead of them. Good squad players and that’s all they are now.
Yes, I would settle for 2-0 although I am sure there are United fans out there who will be unhappy if we don't win by at least four!
There will be more than two goals in this one, and I'm not ruling out one for Stoke. I think it will be similar to the game at OT, both the result and the game itself. Rooney to get a hat trick!
Had another dream about United. It was United-Liverpool. At half time we were 4-0 up, we were playing brilliantly, Ronaldo would die for the team and had four assists. Tevez had two goals and played like a god, Rooney and Carrick got the other two. For some reason, I didn't see the 2nd half, but found out just before 90 minutes it was 5-4 to the Scouse! I went mad and into hibernation.
Later I found out we had equalized in extra time, and somehow the match went to penalties. We beat them 3-1. I was elated. I still am. It may have been one of the best dreams ever.
The problem with O'Shea at the moment is when the cross goes in it fails to beat the first man. Evra can beat them with pace O'Shea doesn't have that. If I was O'Shea and I had four game to show what I can do, not that he could take Evra's place. But if we could rely on him Evra could have a break. I can see Fabio when he's fit being Evra's cover and down the line taking over. Evans will take over froom Vidic or Rio. A guy taking throw ins as the danger man is a bit lame, unless you defend like Arsenal. It would be great to see us click into top gear and destroy Stoke and improve our GD.
Gerry, you may be right but I wouls stay with Carrick and Anderson right now to find out if this is indeed the best mid field pairing we have. Tough away games you can always stick Fletch behind them and go one up front. Young kids like Nani etc should have no problem with jet lag after three days.
Fergie has plans to give Fabio a go soon!
Alias, I would be happy with everything, as long as it comes with 3 points. 1-0?, 2-1? I don't care, 3 points, yes please.
My team:
vds, rafael, rio, vida, o'shea, ronaldo, fletcher, carrick, park, rooney and berba.
Where's Stoke ?
I wish everbody a merry christmas and a happy new year and remember if things are bad, it could be worse. You could be a scouser and eat rats in council house......................
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all at MUFC and to all MUFC supporters. Lets start off with 3 points at Stoke
What the hell are all these comments coming from Giggs these days, he wants this and he wants that, are they supposed to have some kind of inspirational value to this team, because his performances on the field have been anything but inspirational.
All this verbal rubbish is coming from a player who needs an oxygen mask to get from one end of the field to the other.
If Giggs wants to avoid a United hangover after Japan, I suggest he starts cutting on the field, and stops coming up with these stupid comments.
Just start looking like something that resembles a footballer out there Ryan.
I have an uncomfortable feeling that Ferguson will start Giggs , Neville and Scholes.
Any kind of win will do all I want for xmas is three points off stoke
I wish all at MEN the merriest Xmas. I am deeply grateful for the oppurtunity to enjoy and interact with all my fellow Red Devils and I wish them all the seasons greetings. I have to thank SAF and his team in making this a truly great and gratifying year and wish them te very best in their football as well as personal lives. The boys must be on a real high and I have seen signs that United are slowly movig into top gear. I hope he does not lrt up by playing the likes of Neville in the crucial matches. Stoke can turn out to be the proverbial banana skin. No, Rory Delap does not scare me at all. We need to just convert our chances. The brightest star at the moment is of course WAZZA! Long may he reign.
Seasons greetings to the other clubs too on MEN's website and their fans.
It says in this article that
when we returned from beating
Palmieras last time, we then
beat Everton 5-1. We really
need to beat someone 5-1 these days and should with all that attacking power.
Contrary though, this season it's been great to see teams take points from the big four, this has added excitement to games instead watching the big four just walk through games, leading to the belief the Prem is not so good if you look beyond the big four. Therefore, congrats to all the teams outside of the big
four because they have made this season as good as any in
recent memory. Except to say
not I hope we clobber Stoke
5-1 and keep up our World Club winning tradition.
Up the Reds,