We are going out to bring back some smiles onto the faces of the fans : Ryan Giggs

Manchester United’s interim manager Ryan Giggs appeared in front of the media for his first press conference and expressed his desire to put the smiles back on the faces of fans in the remaining four games of the season.

Giggs said : “I’d like to thank David for giving me my first chance in coaching. It was something I’ll always remember when he rang me in the summer and asked me to come on board. Obviously I was still playing but he’s given me my first opportunity of a coaching role. Secondly to say how proud I am to be managing Man Utd for the remaining games.

“It’s a club I’ve been associated with for 25 years and it’s a proud moment for me and one I will enjoy. I’ve enjoyed the week and 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 onto the faces of the fans.”

When asked about how different an experience it will be for him to sit in the dugout as a manager as opposed to when he was doing so as a player, Giggs said : “”I’ll just look forward to the game just as I did as a player. You prepare yourself during the week and can’t wait for Saturday to come, 5.30pm against Norwich, I know the stadium will be bouncing. The players have been really good in training this week and they are all excited as well. Everyone is looking sharp and I just want them to enjoy themselves and give fans something to smile about in the remaining four games. It’s been a frustrating season and I want to end it on a high.”

The 40-year old said that it has been a difficult week for the club and it came as a shock to him when he was asked to take charge of Manchester United for the remainder of the season.

“It has been a difficult week for the club and it was a shock to me on Tuesday when I spoke to Ed and he informed me David was leaving and then asked me to take over. It’s been a bit of a whirlwind week for me but one I’ve enjoyed – it has been different, chaotic and I’ve been getting a little taste as it’s my fourth day in the job. I can never imagine what you have to do and things it entails being a Manchester United manager.”

Giggs also clarified that his sights were firmly fixed on ensuring that the team finishes the season strongly and he had not given any thought to managing the Red Devils in the long term.

“I’m just concentrating on a short time, the four games remaining, that’s the main focus on Saturday and Norwich as it’s going to be a tough game with them fighting for their lives. After that, I’ve not really thought about it,” he said.

The winger, who has the most appearances for the club in its history, emphasized that he will bring his footballing philosophy to the team and will encourage the players to e imaginative and attacking.

“I’ll tell the players just to try to enjoy yourself, express yourself. I don’t know if I’d be saying that as manager last week because the performance wasn’t great but I’ve come into the job and my immediate aim is to win on Saturday and I felt just the way to do that is to make training as enjoyable as I can so they can go out and play and they have done that.

“It’s going to be my philosophy, 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, all the things that are expected of a Manchester United player. To work hard but, most of all, enjoy it. As a player I know if I’m enjoying the game I can express myself a lot more and that’s what I’ll be doing with the team tomorrow,” Giggs said.

When asked about whether he will bring himself on during the game on Saturday, Giggs joked : “I’ve just given myself a five-year contract! While I can! I haven’t done much this week but am still involved as a player as well. I’ve trained okay this week and looked sharp, to be fair! No, everyone has looked sharp, 20-odd players are in with a chance.”

Giggs’ first press conference ended on a lighter note when the Welshman was asked if he was going to wear a suit or tracksuit during tomorrow’s game against Nowich City.

“I haven’t decided. You’ll have to wait and see,” Giggs replied.

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