Giggs: United class will shine through
Manager Alex Ferguson has conceded that in losing 6-1 at home to rivals Manchester City, being beaten by Crystal Palace at Old Trafford in the Carling Cup and suffering the shattering disappointment of Champions League elimination at the group stage, the Red Devils have given plenty of ammunition to their critics.
Yet the recent response has been amazing.
With eight wins and a draw from their last nine games, United have closed the gap on leaders Manchester City and now trail their neighbours only on goal difference, which has also been cut massively.
Providing they do not suffer yet another unexpected setback against rock bottom Blackburn tomorrow, United will end the year on top of the table once more, given City are not in action for another 24 hours.
It represents a staggering reversal of fortunes, which Giggs believes is the hallmark of a great team.
“You are going to get setbacks,” he told www.manutd.com. “It’s about how you react to them.
“Thankfully we’ve come back strong. They can help in a way. I’ve experienced that throughout my career — you might hit bad form or miss a good chance, and you can’t wait for the next game so you can rectify it.
“I’m sure all the lads felt like that after the City game and after Basle, which was a big disappointment too.”
That feeling of desolation was magnified by the intense criticism that followed, most of which centred around Ferguson’s failure to reinforce his midfield, which seemed to lack an imaginative spark following the retirement of Paul Scholes.
“You’re always going to get criticism here,” said Giggs.
“If you’re not top of the league there’s something wrong and if you get knocked out of competitions you’re always going to get criticised,” he continued.
“That’s something you just have to get used to. You can’t sulk or moan about it.”
Instead, United have pieced together their season, at least from a domestic point of view, to the extent that they are now able to reflect on their best 18-game points haul for 18 years.
And now they can look ahead to the punishing second half of the campaign.
“The experience that the manager, the players and the coaching staff have of what’s required in the second half of the season, as well as the overall hunger and desire to win competitions will help us,” Giggs said.
Defender Phil Jones has recovered from the illness that kept him out of the St Stephen’s Day win over Wigan and should he start, it would be the first time he has faced his old club following a £17million summer move to Old Trafford.
And Blackburn boss Steve Kean has no doubts Phil Jones will eventually become captain of England. “I have not been surprised at how Phil Jones has settled into life at Manchester United one bit,” said Kean.
“I always hoped he would captain our club. Now he is at Manchester United, I am sure he will captain them and he will captain England.”
Kean confirmed he will present Ferguson with a special bottle of red wine to toast the United manager’s 70th birthday tomorrow.
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