• Premier League

Giggs questions desire of United youngsters

ESPN staff
September 19, 2011
Chris Smalling has established himself in the Manchester United first team © PA Photos
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Ryan Giggs has urged Manchester United's youngsters to follow his lead by making themselves undroppable.

English trio Tom Cleverley, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling have excelled during United's flawless start to the Premier League season, which has included wins against Arsenal and Chelsea.

And as was the case when Giggs broke through in the early 1990s, the starlets are threatening to relegate established stars - such as Michael Carrick and Rio Ferdinand - to the bench.

But Giggs has told the youngsters they will only make themselves part of the Old Trafford furniture if they show a high level of commitment on and off the pitch.

"It is tough because there is a lot of quality in the first team," Giggs told MUTV. "The majority have the quality. That is not really in doubt. The question is, do they have the desire and appetite to take it up a step more?

"There are young players coming through at United but this is an important part of their career. When you look at the lads who came through in my age group, then those who followed; Wes Brown and John O'Shea for instance, when they got their chance, they took it.

"Once you hit 17, 18 and 19, that is what you have to do. It doesn't matter whether it is if you get a chance to train with the first team, or in a match as a substitute, you need to make an impact. You need to force the manager not leave you out of the next game."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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