Originally posted by cd:
<strong>Giggs has to stay at Utd. for the time being. If SAF wanted to sell a star, he should rather sell Beckham because:
1. He would probably fetch a higher price, being younger.
2. His style of play has become a bit predictable in the EPL-he is marked more carefully, etc.
3. A replacement would be be easier to find that for Giggs(Joaquin,etc.)
However:
1. Such a loyal player would be hard to find.
2. Any replacement would have to be from a foreign league because there is no one better than Beckham in the EPL and hence the replacement would take time to settle in.
And by the way I cant believe that Giggs actually said: "It will not be easy for Manchester United to let me go but I hope they do.
"I`m ready for a new experience in Europe and I know there are important clubs interested in me."
(http://www.footballtransfers.info/specs/spec.asp?category=Confirmed)</strong><hr></blockquote>
If that is a quote, its ancient.
From Today's Mirror:
RYAN GIGGS knows Sir Alex Ferguson's claim that he will wield the axe unless Manchester United revive their faltering league season is no idle threat.
Ferguson says he is considering disbanding his squad as the pressure mounts on United to keep pace with their title rivals.
And they travel to Anfield today for the crunch lunchtime showdown with Liverpool in the knowledge that defeat will seriously dent their title hopes.
They certainly won't want a repeat of last season's trip to Anfield when Michael Owen scored twice in a 3-1 Liverpool win.
Although United have lost just twice in 17 games and have been hard hit by an injury crisis, Ferguson has begun to question the hunger of his side to maintain the level of success they have enjoyed in recent years.
Giggs said: "If the manager feels he needs to make changes he will do it.
"He has no loyalty to any individuals here, his priority is to ensure United are successful and if that means he has to bring players in and the finances are there, he won't hesitate to do it.
"There is no hiding place for the players because we know what is at stake. I know the hunger and desire remains, but the threat of being axed is always there while results on the field are indifferent.
"We are not a club in crisis but when the standards set are so high the pressure to maintain that level of success is enormous and failure simply isn't acceptable."
Ironically, Giggs has been at the centre of growing transfer speculation himself, with Italian giants Inter Milan the latest side to show more than a passing interest in him.
But while growing uncertainty over the future of some stars remains, Giggs has no intention of severing his links with United after signing a long contract that will effectively see him finish his playing days at Old Trafford.
"When I signed a new contract I thought long and hard about the implications of it," added Giggs. "If I'd wanted to go abroad I could have seen out my contract and moved on a Bosman free transfer.
"Although I had harboured thoughts about playing abroad at one time, that effectively ended when I signed my deal.
"And why would I want to play for another club? I have enjoyed so much success here and I believe it will continue.
"I'm settled here and I have no ambitions to move away. This is one of the biggest clubs in the world and I can fulfil any dreams I have at this club."
More recently, Giggs has been subjected to terrace taunts from a section of the United crowd, criticism normally reserved for rival players.
But he shrugs his shoulders in a dismissive fashion, adamant that if he wasn't strong enough to cope with critics he would never have pulled on a United shirt.
"There is always pressure to perform and the level of expectation is far greater here than it is at other clubs. The supporters pay their money and they are entitled to their opinions, I accept that.
"But pressure, be that on the individual or the team, is always there and you have to live with it. United have enjoyed unprecedented success over the years, they've been spoilt by it.
"And you know when you go out on the field with United you have to be at the peak of your game. The supporters, like the management, expect success and when you're not winning games they invariably get frustrated.
"There are times that I come off the field and think I could do better, but if I was affected by criticism I'd think twice about playing. That's not the case.
"I realise like every other player that there is a certain responsibility that comes with pulling on the shirt and you live with it.
"There is never a time when I don't enjoy playing for United, even when things aren't going well. I have always felt it's a great honour to play for the club I supported and that will never change."
But while recently playing for Wales Giggs was reported to have said it was no fun at all playing for United at the moment.
Putting things in their true context though, he claims it's no fun when you're not winning games.
"To suggest I don't enjoy playing for Manchester United is absurd. Like any player who is committed to their club, I don't enjoy it when we're not winning games, of course I don't. But if people twist things to suit their needs I can't do much about that.
"The day I don't enjoy playing for United will be the day I give up football."
And he is quick to issue a word of warning to those writing United off at the moment.
"In adversity we become stronger and after finishing last season empty-handed we're hungrier and more determined to find success. To write us off at this stage would be a big mistake."
