Source: Team_Talk
Giggs confident of silverware
Ryan Giggs insists he can see the twinkling of silverware in the Manchester United dressing room.[LNB] The Red Devils have endured a difficult start to the season, failing to win away from Old Trafford in four attempts so far to fall five points adrift of champions Chelsea.[LNB]For the first time in two decades at such an advanced stage, United are even lagging behind neighbours Manchester City, while Wayne Rooney's name is again in the headlines following his rejection of Sir Alex Ferguson's claim that he has been suffering from an ankle injury, hence his omission for the club's starting line-up for the last two games.[LNB]It is hardly the most positive backdrop to the start of a nine-games-in-29 day spell that will do much to shape their season.[LNB]Yet Giggs has seen too many ups and downs on the United rollercoaster during his two decades at the club to get sidetracked from the main aims.[LNB]And the veteran Welshman is confident the season will end with more glory for Ferguson and his men.[LNB]"I see trophies in this team," he said.[LNB]"The manager has had a lot of problems this season picking the team because a lot of the players have been fit.[LNB]"Look at the quality of those who are not even getting on the bench. It is not very nice for those lads but it is great for the club and the team.[LNB]"We know we will get injuries and suspensions but it looks like we can cope. Last season we didn't. In that respect, we are a lot stronger."[LNB]The extra day created by FIFA's decision to play internationals on a Tuesday should benefit Ferguson when he comes to select his team to face in-form West Brom, who have already recorded one shock at Arsenal this month, at Old Trafford on Saturday.[LNB]Giggs is hoping to return after a minor hamstring injury as United attempt to maintain their 100% record on home soil.[LNB]Yet the issues surrounding Rooney will not go away, not least because the forward made a point of choosing to speak with the media to address his own fitness, which he insists is fine no matter what evidence Ferguson presents to the contrary.[LNB]Rooney's comments might be somewhat ill-advised given Ferguson was presumably trying to protect his star man, whose form has been way below the standards expected this term, when he has still only scored one goal for his club, and that was from the penalty spot in August.[LNB]There will only be one winner if Ferguson feels his authority is being challenged and something has to be done, although given the importance of a fully fit Rooney to the United cause, confrontation is not likely to be on the agenda.[LNB]Ferguson certainly will not be going out of his way to respond in public and instead might challenge Rooney to make himself invaluable to the Red Devils cause once more by his deeds on the pitch, rather than his status.[LNB]That has never been a problem for Giggs, who has already offered Rooney his backing recently and feels it is only a matter of time before the 24-year-old rediscovers his old ways.[LNB]In the meantime, Giggs is urging United to embark on one of those winning streaks they are so famous for, which might require an improvement in their concentration levels given the defensive lapses that have cost them so much already.[LNB]"Concentration is a little detail that is really important," said Giggs.[LNB]"Bryan Robson and Roy Keane had it. They could concentrate full on for 90 minutes.[LNB]"But that is a very hard thing to do because you see players losing their concentration all the time.[LNB]"The manager is always talking about it.[LNB]"He believes we have the ability. He believes we have the desire and the hunger.[LNB]"He just keeps drilling it into us about concentration. If you are a striker you might not have had a chance in the entire game.[LNB]"You still need to be alert enough in the 89th minute to put it away."
