Enjoy yourselves, Giggs urges United
With just four games to leave his mark, interim coach talks of his pride at appointment and desire to entertain fans after gloomy season
Ryan Giggs is starting his stint as interim Manchester United manager by urging his players to entertain the Old Trafford fans who have endured a miserable season.
The 40-year-old midfielder was put in charge on Tuesday when David Moyes' reign ended after 10 months with the defending champions in seventh place in the Premier League.
Speaking publicly for the first time since his temporary appointment, Giggs gave a taste of what he has told the squad ahead of Saturday's match against Norwich at Old Trafford.
"I trust you and I know what you're capable of and go out there and show it on Saturday and give the fans something to shout about," Giggs said yesterday. "Entertain them, score goals, make tackles, play with speed, play with tempo."
I want players to play with passion, speed, tempo and be brave with imagination … to work hard but, most of all, enjoy it
"It's going to be my philosophy and obviously the Manchester United philosophy as I've been here for all my career. I want players to play with passion, speed, tempo and be brave with imagination … to work hard but, most of all, enjoy it."
Giggs is expected to manage the team only for the remaining four matches of the season before a more experienced successor to Moyes is appointed.
"It has been a difficult week for the club and it's been a bit of a whirlwind week for me, but one I've enjoyed," Giggs said. "It has been different, chaotic and I've been getting a little taste as it's my fourth day in the job."
Giggs came through the youth ranks at Old Trafford and was part of the famed "Class of 92" youth team that helped contribute to so much of the club's success under Alex Ferguson, who retired last year after more than 26 years in charge.
"I've had to take a bit of stick [from the players]," Giggs said. "'Where are you going to park? What do we call you?'
"I've just tried to make things relaxed and for everyone to enjoy themselves ... let's have a good end to a frustrating and disappointing season."
The club's most decorated player, who has made 962 appearances, is still in the squad and could pick himself to play against Norwich. "I've just given myself a five-year contract," he joked. "I haven't done much this week but am still involved as a player as well."
Giggs is being assisted by former teammates Phil Neville, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes as he tries to stabilise a team in turmoil.
And he described his appointment as probably the proudest moment of his illustrious career.
"It's a club I have supported all my life and I've been associated with for 25 years and it's a proud moment for me and one I will enjoy," said Giggs.
"I'm proud more than anything. It's probably the proudest moment of my career and one I'm going to enjoy for the remaining two-and-a-half weeks of the season and bring back some smiles on to the faces of the fans.
Giggs was previously operating in a player-coach role and although it is not thought he was given much of a brief under Moyes, he expressed his gratitude to the former Everton manager.
"I'd like to thank David for giving me my first chance in coaching," he added. "It was something I'll always remember when he rang me in the summer and asked me to come on board."
