Giggs in tribute to defensive pair

Ryan Giggs credits defenders Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic with providing much of the solidity behind Manchester United’s table-topping start to the Barclays Premiership season.

United have built up a five-point advantage over champions Chelsea and Giggs believes last season’s transfer-window arrivals Evra and Vidic have had a lot to do with that.

“It’s always difficult when players come in halfway through a season,” the Wales winger reasoned.

“But you’ve seen what quality Patrice and Vidic have and they’ve been a big reason why we’ve got off to such a good start.

“Great players can come in and settle and show us what they can do.”

United suffered an early blip when they lost at home to Arsenal back in September, but since then they are unbeaten in the Premiership and Giggs believes that shock helped to galvanise Alex Ferguson’s squad.

“Everyone was disappointed with the Arsenal game,” he recalled in an interview with Sky Sports News.

“But it can happen. What you look for is a reaction and that is what we have done.

“Our form since the Arsenal game has been really good.”