GIGGS: I NEEDED COUNSELLING

RYAN GIGGS has revealed that he needed counselling to cope with the psychological impact of leaving Manchester United. The Old Trafford legend spent 24 years at the club as a player and another two years coaching before leaving in 2016 when Jose Mourinho took charge.

And new Wales manager Giggs admitted he feared 3

he had become institutionalised at United when he departed.

Giggs (with Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson, left) said: “I saw a psychologist when I left because I had gone straight from school into being an apprentice. It was the same thing every day, going into United with a structure, and that was no longer going to be the case.

“I was about to start a new chapter where some of my days I wouldn’t be doing anything.

“I sought someone’s help regarding that and it was just about managing your week or day. I had never needed a psychologist while I was playing.

“But it was little things. You don’t just go to the gym around the corner. It helped because I was going into the unknown. It opens your eyes because there is a big old world out there other than football. Rather than fearing it, I enjoyed it, but I missed football and I am glad to be back.”

Giggs could be joined by former United team-mate Paul Scholes on his backroom Wales staff, and he added: “I can’t wait to get started.”