• Premier League

Biggest test for United lies ahead - Giggs

Ryan Giggs admits Manchester United's recent slump presents a test of character for the younger players who have not experienced troubled times at Old Trafford before.

The Premier League champions have lost three successive games for the first time in almost 13 years and currently languish seventh in the table.

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But while the 40-year-old player-coach believes the experience of senior professionals in the dressing room is vital, he feels their younger teammates are in uncharted territory.

"There are a lot of players who have come into the club who have only known winning. It is a test of character but I am fully confident we will come through it and we will be okay," Giggs said.

"At United, we have never got carried away too much when we have been winning trophies and it's also the case that you don't get carried away when you're losing. We don't get too down about it but we want to do something about it.

"I think it's important for the older players, who have been through this before and been through sticky patches to help the younger ones, who may only have known winning."

Giggs, who was speaking as United announced a sponsorship partnership with Aperol, said losing runs linger in the memory longer than victories.

He said: "I have said over the years that the defeats and losses generate a bigger feeling than winning things. It sticks with you a lot longer. You have to react and you have to try to do something about it."

The veteran accepted United have underachieved this season, adding: "We probably haven't been playing to the best of our ability, both individually and as a team."

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