UNITED LEGENDS BOOST VIETNAM’S WORLD CUP DREAM

RYAN GIGGS and Paul Scholes are involved in a £100million plan to get Vietnam to the World Cup.

The Manchester United legends have signed contracts to head up the elite PVF Academy in Hanoi, which has developed a blueprint for qualification to reach the tournament in 2030.

Giggs (above) has been appointed director of football and will be assisted by ex-United team-mate Scholes (right) at the centre, intended to be similar to St George’s Park.

They are both expected to be in Vietnam on a regular basis to help the project, which is being overseen by ex-Leicester City director of football Terry Robinson.

Irish businessman Mike Farnan’s company Red Strike Marketing has masterminded the academy, designed for 300 youngsters from under-9s to under-18s.

The grand plan is to improve football in Vietnam – the country is 125th in the FIFA rankings – and the hope is that the academy will help push the nation forward in time for 2030, a tournament expected to feature 48 teams.

It shows that Giggs and Scholes – two members of United’s all-conquering team under Sir Alex Ferguson – have an incredible power from their United glory days to inspire kids worldwide.

Farnan, who previously worked as United’s international marketing chief, said: “Both Ryan and Paul always had a passion for the development of young players given both of them came through a very successful academy themselves.

“Their role is very important as they are seen by all the 300 elite children as the role models and standard bearers of the academy. ”From his visit, Ryan has already identified a number of kids that he would like to take over to the UK to give them some experience playing overseas.

“Both Paul and Ryan could not believe the technical ability of the kids from the under-9s to the under-18s. They both took sessions over a four-day period through all the age groups and were very surprised by the standard.

“They were also delighted with the boys’ attitude and their will to listen to what they were recommending.

“Ryan said at the launch that this academy was one of the best he has ever seen – and that will definitely help with the goal of World Cup qualification.”