For me it's a similar scenario to Carragher at Liverpool. Clearly both players are past their best - However, having them around the team/squad is so beneficial, in terms of mentoring younger talent coming through and playing in the odd cup game here and there. We at Liverpool have some great young defenders coming through, and Carragher is perfect for them - he's been there done it and got the T-shirt, that is absolutely invaluable to have around the club for the next generation. For example the West Brom game recently that Liverpool played in the cup - Carragher was surrounded by youngsters, and all game long he was shouting positional advice etc. to them, the youngsters listened and we won, comfortably. Without him there that day it could well of been a different outcome. Players like young Wisdom have come out and said Carragher is vital to their progression. The question is - does Giggs have the vocal and mentoring ability Carragher has? That's a genuine question to Utd fans, as we all know Carragher loves shouting orders about, whereas, Giggs seems a little timid on the pitch. Maybe different behind the scenes, that's just a subjective viewpoint from me.
He definitely has the vocal and mentoring ability, and probably even more than Carragher as he more experience of captaining Utd and Wales. But I think he does it in a different way - he's less likely to shout orders as he is to have a quiet word in the ear, and is well known for being one of the big personalities in the dressing room. According to reports, he was the one who talked Rooney out of his request to quit the club, and got him to apologise in public. So I think that shows how much respect he commands, given that Rooney was arguably a much bigger name at the time.
I think we need them in the dressing room and on the training ground because without them we have a very young squad. Even some of the "older" players like Cleverly and Anderson don't have huge amounts of experience at 23/24. Having a living legend like Giggs around is important while the team transitions to younger players but he's no longer the player he was and should be used sparingly. Giggs has been my all time favourite for a few years now, I love the guy, but its now a case of when its safe for him to play rather than him being first choice.
You also have to consider the bit about loyalty. Many people go on and on about footballers not being loyal, but the club in return has to be loyal as well. Clearly Giggs, Scholes, and Ferdinand now need/needed to be replaced, but all have spent the majority if not all of their career at the club. Part of the reason they're still at the club is Sir Alex is repaying them for not ****ing off to Spain or Italy.
It is indeed, and like I said in my OP on this thread, he can take Paul Scholes with him. It really is time to step aside and let what youngsters we have have a go at it. Everytime we completely underestimate our opposition one or both of these players is picked and, this season at least, are found wanting against young, hungry opponents with something to prove against a lazy and arrogant team selection from Ferguson. Time to move the **** on, many more performances like that and we will not win the league.
They both can still offer something off the bench, but should never ever be on the pitch at the same time, unless it's for one of their testimonials.
Scholes off the bench in certain already won games or where that killer pass may make the difference yes. I fail to see what Giggs offers at all.
Absolutely yes. I still think Scholes can occasionally play a part from the bench, but it's time for Giggs to go. How often does he give the ball away? What's more worrying was Fergie taking Hernandez off on Saturday, someone who will always pose a threat, and leave Giggs on, who managed to give the ball to everyone bar his own team mates on Saturday. He's adapted well, but there's no way we should be putting a nearly 39 year old who played on the wing for 15 years to be our creative spark in midfield. And either Fergie's reluctance to drop him or Giggs' refusal to step aside for the younger players coming through will do far more harm than good.
But none nowhere near the quality of Ryan Giggs in his prime, or a couple of years back. Utd have a real lack of quality on the flanks and until you buy world class wingers to replace Giggs, the likes of Young don't deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence then he should stick around as his experience is invaluable. Also, isn't this the same Ryan Giggs who scored twice against Chelsea recently
Indeed. Fergie has previous for letting his favourite players go on for too long. It was obvious to everyone that Gary Neville was shot long before he retired (and he did retire ie Fergie was still picking him!). He'd also always been a big fan of Larry White and signed him at a time when his legs were far too heavy for the PL. Giggsy has been a great player for United whilst also banging his way around Manchester but I don't know many fans that watch the team regularly who would disagree with the assertion that it's time for him to hang up his boots.
Our wingers when not completely out of form are the best in the league and both capable of 10+ assists. Thing is neither are in form and Ashley Young can just **** off from this discussion as hes awful. Grass tackles him.
