RYAN RAGES AT ZLATAN
‘Old boys entitled to have an opinion on United,’ says Giggs
RYAN GIGGS has slammed Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s claim that former players are making life impossible for Sir Alex Ferguson’s successors.
Former Manchester United forward Ibrahimovic criticised the Class of ’92 in yesterday’s Express Sport for persistent TV appearances, particularly from Paul Scholes, questioning the performances of David Moyes, Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho since Ferguson retired in 2013. But Giggs, the club’s record appearance-maker who filled in as interim manager in 2014, hit back at the Swedish superstar.
“When we’ve played over 2,000 games between us, we’re going to have an opinion,” he said.
“Sometimes positive and sometimes negative, but I don’t think that has any bearing on results or anything.
“We’re supporters of the club together with other ex-players who are on TV or radio. That’s what football is about, having different opinions. There’s only Nicky [Butt, United’s head of academy] who’s connected with the club.” The six famous youngsters from the
Class of ’92 – Giggs, Scholes, Butt, David Beckham and Gary and Phil Neville – played 3,450 games for United, compared to just 53 by Ibrahimovic.
Giggs, who won 34 major trophies with the Old Trafford giants, said: “Obviously he [Ibrahimovic] knows more about the club than us.”
TheWales manager has prepared his side for a friendly again Trinidad & Tobago tonight and their opening Euro 2020 qualifer against Slovakia on Sunday by urging them to ease the burden on talisman Gareth Bale.
Bale, who played 90 minutes under new Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane last Sunday and scored his 14th goal of the season in the 2-0 win over Celta Vigo, led Wales to Euro 2016 with seven goals in qualifying, plus two assists, as they reached their first finals since 1958.
Giggs said: “It was his first 90 minutes for three months and if he plays games he will score goals. When Gareth has turned up, he’s been brilliant, he loves playing forWales and being with his mates and he’s one of the voices in the dressing room.
“He’s the main man, Gareth, but I also want to take the pressure off him as well. Then, if he is not available, we are not just relying on one player.
“Aaron Ramsey has also scored some important goals as well. And with the emergence of HarryWilson, David Brooks and Dan James, we have so many attacking options.”
Kick-off: 7.45pm. TV: Sky Sports.