More than just a game as Arsenal clash with Manchester United with everything at stake
The future of Gunners manager Wenger and Old Trafford boss Van Gaal are on the line while once-proud Giggs has his work cut out trying to show that he can succeed Dutchman in the dug-out
The Battle of the Buffet, Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira high-noons, Ryan Giggs’ wonder goal and the Gunners’ worst away defeat are among the classic Manchester United v Arsenal encounters.
Sunday’s showdown should be no different given it could determine the future of three men whose careers and legacies are navigating the twilight zone.
He [Giggs] will this weekend walk out at Old Trafford for the first time in his 28-year club career with a massive question mark hanging over his ability
Gunners manager Arsene Wenger is on another salvage mission following the defeat by Barcelona at the Emirates in the Champions League – and only winning the Premier League crown will prevent calls for his overthrow from reigniting so he must leave Old Trafford with three points to maintain pressure on Leicester and Tottenham.
READ MORE: I hope United haven’t been talking to Mourinho behind my back, admits Van Gaal
A precarious day-to-day existence is the new normal for United’s beleaguered Louis van Gaal. He knows the FA and Europa cup wins over lowly opponents count for zilch. A home defeat by one of United’s bitterest domestic rivals might well hasten his exit as well as further dent United’s automatic Champions League quest.
It is Reds legend, player-turned liege in-waiting Ryan Giggs, who has the most at stake, however.
He will this weekend walk out at Old Trafford for the first time in his 28-year club career with a massive question mark hanging over his ability.
The former winger had a rude awakening when a slew of damning surveys showed those United fans who worshipped him as a player do not want him to become the manager of their team.
One poll conducted by a national newspaper website gave the Welshman 21 per cent of the 77,000 votes cast for the favourite manager to replace Van Gaal.
And the numbers were far bleaker on the popular United fans’ forum, Red Cafe, where he received a paltry 8 per cent of ballots cast. All told, it was an emphatic vote of no confidence for the loyal talisman.
A slew of damning surveys showed those United fans who worshipped him as a player do not want him to become the manager of their team
The findings were no surprise. Giggs’ name has not been sung on the terraces, nor have scarves and banners been hung bearing his name and mug shot. The clarion call is for Mourinho.
Indeed, Giggs was seen by fans as a saviour, stepping in to manage the final four games of that risible 2014-15 season.
The most decorated player in the club’s history was then appointed assistant manager to Van Gaal.
To work under one failed managerial regime might be considered unlucky. Being associated with another suggests something more.
Giggs is more than a bag carrier for Van Gaal. He occupies an important and active role. He makes assessments of players spotted by scouts. He analyses opponents and helps devise, present and explain game plans to the players. He helps train the squad.
As Van Gaal’s trusted lieutenant, he is often in the technical area shouting instructions to the players while the manager frowns silently on the bench, scribbling on his clipboard.
Such deep involvement makes it impossible for Giggs to distance himself from the moribund, mid-table football excuse for entertainment undermining United’s illustrious image. This is why more and more fans, as the polls revealed, consider Giggs to be part of the problem rather than the solution.
The loss of support will come as a blow to Giggs, who has made it known managing United is his dream job.
If he is to one day fulfil his ambition to become of the club’s successful managers as well as players, Giggs must leave United ... and earn his spurs elsewhere
But just at that position once more comes up for grabs, he has become linked to failure. His golden sheen has significantly paled to that of a rookie out of his depth – more so with serial trophy winner Mourinho fluttering his eyelashes at Old Trafford’s desperate board.
Giggs still has the backing of United icons Alex Ferguson and Bobby Charlton to replace Van Gaal, so maintaining a semblance of continuity with the club’s glorious, recent past.
But after two seasons in the wilderness, and with the arrival of Pep Guardiola across town at Manchester City – plus the rise of rivals such as Tottenham and the certain resurgence next season of Chelsea and Liverpool, Giggs is now seen as a risk.
He could well remain under Van Gaal’s replacement because space would always be made for him given his standing. But Giggs would take that as another promotion snub.
So the unthinkable is the only answer. If he is to one day fulfil his ambition to become of the club’s successful managers as well as players, Giggs must leave United to distance himself from the slump and earn his spurs elsewhere.
