• Premier League

Go for Giggs, Ferguson tells United

ESPN staff
April 26, 2014
Ryan Giggs wants positive end to season

Sir Alex Ferguson has thrown his weight behind Ryan Giggs to be appointed the next Manchester United manager.

Giggs, who has been put in charge as interim manager for United's remaining four Premier League fixtures after David Moyes was sacked on Tuesday, begins his stint with Saturday's home game against Norwich.

United today denied reports that Louis van Gaal has agreed to become their next manager while Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has distanced himself from the position.

It is believed Giggs has the support of the players and staff and Ferguson has now backed the 40-year-old - who has never managed before but played in Ferguson's United teams for 22 years - to take over permanently.

Despite choosing the doomed Moyes as his Old Trafford successor, Ferguson will now reportedly advise executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and United's owners, the Glazer family, over the new manager and insists Giggs, along with his fellow 'Class of 92' members Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and Phil and Gary Neville, should be appointed.

"I think that he [Giggs] is the one man they should go to really," Ferguson said during a fundraising dinner in Manchester. "He's got 20-odd years of experience at Manchester United. I signed him as a kid at 13 years of age. He's gone through the gamut of emotions at the club - he's experienced all the highs and lows. He knows exactly what's needed to be a Manchester United player and I was so pleased he brought Paul Scholes back in, and Nicky Butt of course - two great professionals.

"They understand the club, they are hard workers, they are straight as a die. So you have got the right combinations there, there's no doubt about that."

Giggs has also revealed he will have a hotline to Ferguson and will turn to his mentor for guidance during his reign.

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"He's given me advice and told me he's always at the end of the phone so that has given me a lot of comfort," Giggs said in a news conference. "It's good to know I can turn to the manager if I ever need him."

Giggs said a frantic week has convinced him the United manager's office can be a lonely place.

Asked if he has sat in Ferguson's chair, he replied: "I have, yes. It's lonely! It's been chaotic, you're getting pulled from pillar to post.

"You go to sit in the office to write some notes down because I'm trying not to forget anything as so many things are going on.

"So you just sit down but it's a pretty lonely place at times. But I keep saying I'm enjoying it. It's only for a short space of time but I plan to enjoy it and that is what I am doing."

United plan to hire a more experienced manager than Giggs and the 40-year-old insists he has not thought about taking charge on a permanent basis, but knows he has the opportunity to impress in the final four games of the season.

He said: "I've got a chance to show what I can do and what I am capable of as a manager in a short space of time. That's my focus. After that is another conversation. We'll see where it take us.

"That is my main aim - not five years down the line but two weeks has to be my main focus is playing against Norwich, who are fighting for their lives. I can't be looking two or three weeks ahead."

United, who are seventh in the Premier League, are enduring their worst season for a quarter of a century but Giggs is convinced it is only a blip and the glory days will return.

He explained: "This club is all about winning trophies and we've not managed to do that this season but we've had seasons like that in the past and always come back. That's the thing about this club. We always come back and we will."

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