Reds need to find fighting spirit to win, says Giggs
RYAN Giggs believes United need to rediscover their fighting spirit if they are to fulfill their potential under Jose Mourinho.
The Reds finished the season trophyless after an underwhelming campaign which saw them improve in the Premier League but still finish 19 points behind champions City.
Giggs, the most decorated player in the club’s history, was a key member of the United side during their most successful period under Sir Alex Ferguson and believes the fantastic spirit contributed to their success.
And while the 44-year-old Wales manager insists a close bond doesn’t guarantee glory, he does believe it can help take a team to the next level.
“I think it always helps when you have the nucleus of players who know what the club is about or have been through the youth team,” he said.
“If you can get that then it is something very special.
“It doesn’t happen very often, for that reason it is very rare.
“There was a really tight-knit group, not only the one’s who had known each other for a really long time but we had Roy Keane, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who were a similar age and we had a really good team spirit.
“I think it is always important to have that. It doesn’t guarantee you success and if you don’t have that it doesn’t mean you aren’t going to win.”
Despite the lack of silverware last season, Giggs says he is still encouraged by the potential of the current United squad if they can rediscover their attacking confidence.
Giggs said: “I want to see exciting players. I want to see Rashford, I want to see Martial. I want to see Pogba try things and that is what I tried to do when I was playing.
“I understand how the club works, what the fans want, because I was once a fan.
“And then I was also a player who wanted to excite the crowd, wanted to get the fans off their feet.
“Football is changing. The likes of Rashford, Lingard, Pogba who was obviously there when he was young. You’ve got Antonio Valencia, Ashley Young, Michael Carrick has just left - a group of players who know what the club are about.”