Giggs’ Indian summer chills United rivals

THE recriminations over the fourth official’s stop-watch in the Manchester derby rumble on and the sense of injustice burns as intensely as ever in the blue half of Manchester.

But what Manchester United did against their envious neighbours was merely put them in their place for a while longer. What Ryan Giggs sparked at the Britannia stadium was a far more chilling statement of intent from the champions.

Stoke’s inhospitable stadium holds fond memories for Alex Ferguson. On St Stephen’s Day last year, he felt their victory against Tony Pulis’ bruisers was the catalyst to drive them to a third successive title and spurn the challenge of Chelsea.