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| Giggs wants to play the United way Posted: 25 Apr 2014 02:50 AM PDT
Ryan Giggs might only be in the Manchester United dugout for the next four games but if the above statement is anything to go by, then the remainder of the season could prove to be a world away from the dour, turgid, reality we’ve experienced for the last 10 months.
Looking more relaxed in his first press conference for as club’s interim manager than Moyes did at anytime during his tenure at Old Trafford, Giggs’ mindset was a world away from that of his predecessor. Where Moyes wanted United to “try”, Giggs wants his players to play and win the United way, putting a smile back on the fans’ faces and giving them something to shout about. “I want them to be brave, attack and enjoy themselves, for that’s what I expect from a Manchester United footballer.” With that in mind, it’s hard not to get excited ahead of tomorrow. Granted, Norwich might not be the most glamorous of opponents – and perhaps it’s better that way – but the wait to see whether the sheer optimism that transpired from Giggsy’s press conference will be translated onto the pitch makes tomorrow’s match extremely important. For the last 10 months, United have played with the handbrake on, their engine engulfed by defeatism and a lack of trust in their manager, and have relinquished their attacking swagger opting for a timid, ponderous approach. Harsh as it might sound, David Moyes’ sacking alone was probably enough to galvanise a dressing room that throughout the season had forgotten everything the club stands for and it’s not preposterous to expect United to hit the ground running tomorrow, for modern footballers don’t even pretend to be putting an effort in for a manager they don’t respect or trust. As Giggs highlighted during his press conference: “At Manchester United you win together and you lose together and this season we haven’t performed to the standard required. We all have to share responsibilities.” If the thought of finally seeing United play without the shackles put in place by Moyes wasn’t enough, the prospect of seeing Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt sitting in the dugout alongside Giggs is simply mouthwatering. Giggsy said that being appointed interim manager was “the proudest moment of his life,” while Butt admitted that it was fantastic for the Class of ’92 to be “still involved at the football club”. While United have got nothing to lose ahead of tomorrow, which in theory should make them even more carefree, Norwich are desperate for something, anything really, that could push them closer to safety. The Canaries have lost five of their last six games and are two clear of the bottom three, but only three clear of Sunderland who have a game in hand on them – as if the thought of Liverpool winning the league wasn’t bad enough, Sunderland might end up staying up – and will be desperate to get at least a point tomorrow. Giggs confirmed that only Rafael and Van Persie are out, while everybody else has “trained really well”, meaning that we could see a similar line-up to those we saw during Moyes’ tenure. The attitude, though, is likely to be completely different. “We must be bold, attacking minded and brave.” What a difference a week makes. Probable starting XI:
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| Posted: 24 Apr 2014 11:59 PM PDT
Along with Mike Phelan, Meulensteen was one of the members of Sir Alex Ferguson’s coaching staff that in July were deemed surplus to requirements by Moyes, who opted to bring in his Everton lieutenants Jimmy Lumsden, Steve Round, Chris Woods and Phil Neville and the Dutchman claimed that Moyes only has himself to blame for his failure.
Meulensteen insisted that Moyes had “underestimated” the task facing him, despite warning that the leap from Everton to United was like going from “a yacht to a cruise liner” and claimed Moyes tried to change everything too quickly. “You have to look at Manchester United and the job that David Moyes took on,” said Meulensteen. “United were a very successful team, with many successful years behind them. The strategies in place worked. But David ignored the advice that was given to him by many of the staff in place at the time. “He opted to put his own plans in place, which he was perfectly entitled to do, but I think it backfired on him. I always strongly believe the performances and the results are a reflection of what is actually happening behind the door and that wasn’t good enough, as simple as that. “Don’t forget David was a respected manager in the Premier League who worked for 11 years at Everton in a very good way. But I did warn him: ‘Do you realise, after everything at Everton, you’re going from a yacht to a cruise liner? That’s how big the difference will be.’ It’s not just necessarily the work on the pitch. It’s everything that surrounds Manchester United, the players, the performances, the pressure, the style, the identity. And I think he underestimated that. It’s always easy in hindsight but unfortunately it’s cost him his position.” “It became very evident to me after a few meetings with David Moyes that he wanted to bring in his own people and do it his own way,” he continued. “I felt very strongly that things would change dramatically for myself and the position I held so I didn’t feel there was a good foundation to carry on,” said the former United coach. “It’s too crazy for words. I’ve been part of Manchester United’s backroom staff for the last five years for Sir Alex Ferguson and the last five years have been proven to be the most successful in the history of Manchester United. Now they’ve had a poor season, they have dropped to seventh, out of the Champions League and suddenly, after so many years of constant success, we’re now asking whether Manchester United are good enough to get in the top four. “To me, there should be nothing else and that’s probably why the decision has been made because they want to be back [in the Champions League] and next year they want to be challenging for the league title.” Meulensteen also believes that United are facing an uphill task this summer, given the squad is in desperate need of a massive overhaul: “Five, six, seven players [have to be changed] and that’s too much … that is the challenge the club are facing in the summer but I still think United have a fantastic squad and with the right additions can be a force very quickly.” Dan |
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