Ryan Giggs on a double mission at Manchester United

RYAN GIGGS says he is ready to take on a twin role at Manchester United next ­season.

Ryan Giggs has been appointed as player-coach of Manchester United

The veteran Old Trafford star will break new ground after agreeing to join new boss David Moyes’ ­backroom team.
It means Giggs, 39, will get more involved in team meetings rather than assist Moyes with his work on the training ground.
But he also believes he still has a big contribution to make on the pitch – his hunger for success not ­sated after 22 years as a United player and 13 ­Premier League ­titles.

“Every year is a bonus to me. Take last season when we won the league, that ­feeling you have after the hard work you put in – winning that trophy makes it all worthwhile”

Ryan Giggs

Giggs, in Australia on United’s pre-season tour, said: “Crazy, aren’t I? But I’m enjoying it just as much as I did 20 years ago, it’s that simple.
“Every year is a bonus to me. Take last season when we won the league, that ­feeling you have after the hard work you put in – winning that trophy makes it all worthwhile.”
Giggs accepts there is a balancing act to perform, even though his twin role is not entirely new.
A year ago Stuart Pearce asked him to do a very similar thing for the Great Britain Olympic squad.
It is a life after football Giggs is taking admirable care to prepare for, even flying to Turkey this ­summer to work further on his coaching badges.
However, for now his time will need to be ­managed very carefully.
“I am excited about it personally and it has worked well so far,” the Welshman added.
“But it is about getting the balancing act right because I am still ­playing.
‘‘There is not a big emphasis on coaching at the moment.
“The manager likes to coach and there is Jim Lumsden, Steve Round and Phil Neville.
“It is more looking ­behind the scenes and seeing how everything works. It is completely different from playing.
“Even though I’ve been playing for 20-odd years I’m seeing the other side of it, and some of it has been a real education.”
Giggs has been spoken of as a potential United manager, even though he has never managed at any level.
With Neville and Nicky Butt also on board, and Paul Scholes mulling over a backroom role, the core of the side that brought United so much success down the years remains a major influence as the club looks to life after Sir Alex ­Ferguson.
Big changes afoot for Reds and Blues