Manchester United caretaker manager Ryan Giggs is pictured during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Norwich City at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England, on April 26, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES
Manchester United caretaker manager Ryan Giggs is pictured during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Norwich City at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England,Show more

Ryan Giggs relaxed about his future at Old Trafford



Manchester United caretaker manager Ryan Giggs admitted on Friday that his future role at Old Trafford will be reviewed at the end of the season.

Giggs has taken temporary control of first-team affairs at United after David Moyes was sacked last month following less than a season in charge.

There has been speculation that current Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal will be installed as the new United manager after the World Cup, something which left question marks over Giggs’ long-term position at the club.

However, the 40-year-old veteran midfielder remained relaxed over his future and admitted he had not yet decided whether he will carry on playing.

“Nothing’s changed. It’s just until the end of the season,” Giggs said. “We’ll chat when that’s over and that’s all.

“The way I’m thinking is I’m enjoying it. My concentration is the match against Sunderland on Saturday and the remaining two games.

“We’ll see what happens at the end of the season – I’ve got to decide whether I’m going to play or not. There is no point in thinking if I want to be an assistant or a manager somewhere else.

“There’s so many things to think about. Like I just said, I’m just concentrating on what I am doing at the moment.

“We’ll have to wait and see. My concentration isn’t on next season – it’s on this season.”

Giggs’ immediate priority is the visit of relegation battlers Sunderland to Old Trafford on Saturday and he confirmed that he will check on the fitness of striker Wayne Rooney, who has been struggling with a bout of illness and a tight groin.

“A few of the lads have had a bug,” Giggs said. “[Goalkeeper] Anders Lindegaard and Wayne have both had a bug. Wayne’s also got a tight groin.

“And obviously with a bug you have to be careful with that because the immune system is down a bit. Wayne, being Wayne, wants to play and be involved so we’ll just monitor him over the next 24 hours.”

The Welshman also revealed that Netherlands striker Robin van Persie had returned to training after a knee injury, although the match against Gus Poyet’s side could come too soon for him as United aim to steal a top-six finish.

“Robin has been back training this week and he’s looked good,” Giggs said. “Whether Saturday is too early for him we’ll just see how he goes. But he’s looked really good this week.”

Giggs also admitted that despite the extra responsibilities of interim management he would still consider playing in the rest of the campaign.

The winger, who has made 11 Premier League appearances this season, did not name himself among the matchday squad for his first game in charge - a 4-0 win over Norwich City last weekend.

He added: “I’m still training and doing bits and pieces so I’m still in the frame of maybe playing the remaining games or being involved in the remaining games.

“It’s just a case of keeping myself fit [but] win every game and I might not get back in because the lads are doing well. I’ll just have to wait and see.”

sports@thenational.ae

Follow our sports coverage on twitter at @SprtNationalUAE

The Woman King

Director: Gina Prince-Bythewood

Stars: Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, Sheila Atim, Lashana Lynch, John Boyega 

Rating: 3/5

COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Lamsa

Founder: Badr Ward

Launched: 2014

Employees: 60

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: EdTech

Funding to date: $15 million

Dengue fever symptoms
  • High fever
  • Intense pain behind your eyes
  • Severe headache
  • Muscle and joint pains
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Swollen glands
  • Rash

If symptoms occur, they usually last for two-seven days

Specs: 2024 McLaren Artura Spider

Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 and electric motor
Max power: 700hp at 7,500rpm
Max torque: 720Nm at 2,250rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed dual-clutch auto
0-100km/h: 3.0sec
Top speed: 330kph
Price: From Dh1.14 million ($311,000)
On sale: Now

If you go

The flights
There are various ways of getting to the southern Serengeti in Tanzania from the UAE. The exact route and airstrip depends on your overall trip itinerary and which camp you’re staying at. 
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Kilimanjaro International Airport from Dh1,350 return, including taxes; this can be followed by a short flight from Kilimanjaro to the Serengeti with Coastal Aviation from about US$700 (Dh2,500) return, including taxes. Kenya Airways, Emirates and Etihad offer flights via Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.   

Company Profile

Name: Direct Debit System
Started: Sept 2017
Based: UAE with a subsidiary in the UK
Industry: FinTech
Funding: Undisclosed
Investors: Elaine Jones
Number of employees: 8

The specs: 2024 Mercedes E200

Engine: 2.0-litre four-cyl turbo + mild hybrid
Power: 204hp at 5,800rpm +23hp hybrid boost
Torque: 320Nm at 1,800rpm +205Nm hybrid boost
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.3L/100km
On sale: November/December
Price: From Dh205,000 (estimate)


Abtal

Keep up with all the Middle East and North Africa athletes at the 2024 Paris Olympics

      By signing up, I agree to The National's privacy policy
      Abtal