David Moyes should learn from Olympiacos victory and start Ryan Giggs in the Manchester derby

Old Trafford, and the Stretford End, returned to normality last Wednesday, paying ardent homage to the club they so dearly adore. Before then, there had been a few wails of discontent, but as they revelled in Ryan Giggs's majestic deliveries and Robin Van Persie's clinical finishing, smiles were restored to the Theatre Of Dreams faithful. Giggs was phenomenally impressive, not only with his amazing individual display but also with his fitness. It was his first start in eleven games, but the ageless Welshman, now supposedly aged 40, engineered United's remarkable progression to the quarter-finals of the Champions League. After 25 minutes, Giggs looked up to wonderfully, and accurately, locate the intelligent run made by Van Persie and eventually earn his side a deserved penalty after Jose Holebas had clumsily ploughed into his back. On the stroke of half-time, the 40 year-old excellently supplied Wayne Rooney, whose cross across goal was duly dispatched by Van Persie. His spectacular performance did not elude the desperate eyes of David Moyes, the Scot paying tribute to the midfielder; "I thought Giggsy was fantastic". "The passes he made for the two goals, his general play - more importantly his general fitness. Sometimes you think he'll need to come after 60 minutes, but he's a freak. He's something different". "It was a big night, we needed it. It was off the back of a bad result and I thought we needed his experience and he showed it" stated Moyes. He was indisputably correct. Giggs, with his mercurial excellence and priceless experience, is a superb asset to have at disposal for the big nights, the big games. Tuesday evening is another of those. Manchester City, deeply embroiled in the race for the Premier League title, visit Old Trafford in one of their three matches in-hand. It is the Manchester derby, the fiercely-contested encounter which stirs the blood of both sets of clubs, players, and supporters. It is a match of vast significance, and Moyes should learn from the visit of Olympiacos and select Giggs in his starting line-up. The Welshman, currently part coach/player, promises to provide Moyes with what his side have been missing throughout the season - experience, a sagacious mind and ammunition to Rooney and Van Persie (out for the derby). Along with Ferdinand, Vidic and Evra, with the latter the most likely to start out of the trio, Giggs is the only vastly experienced member in the home dressing room, having numerously participated in monumental Manchester derbies. The United academy graduate, a pivotal part of the Class of 92', has proved himself much more effective than the younger players Moyes has consistently opted for, leaving Giggs deprived of substantial game-time and most in bewilderment. Moyes claimed he had been "trying to look to the future", but with the Scot's future itself in doubt, the present currently counts for more. While under-scrutiny Tom Cleverley is yet shorn of an assist, Giggs produced two in ninety minutes. Over-looking the 40 year-old, with imprudent regard of his age, could prove costly for Moyes. He must learn from United's remarkable victory over Olympiacos and select Giggs.

Source: DSG