Sir Alex Ferguson praises 'number one player' Ryan Giggs at ex-footballer's assault trial

Former Manchester United manager says he never saw the Wales international lose his temper

Former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson arrives at Manchester Crown Court where his former player Ryan Giggs is on trial, charged with assaulting his ex-girlfriend. PA

Sir Alex Ferguson has told a court he never saw former Manchester United star Ryan Giggs lose his temper, as he gave evidence defending his ex-player.

The former Manchester United manager, 80, spoke about his relationship at the club with Giggs, 48, who is on trial charged with assaulting his ex-girlfriend, PR executive Kate Greville, 38.

Sir Alex told Manchester Crown Court on Friday that Giggs had a “fantastic temperament”.

“To have a career as long as he had in a difficult position, in terms of energy, he fulfilled everything we ever wished for,” Sir Alex said.

He said Giggs was “without doubt, the best example we had at the club” and that “everyone looked at Ryan Giggs as the number one”.

Asked by Giggs’s barrister Chris Daw QC if he had ever seen him “lose his temper or become aggressive”.

Sir Alex replied: “No.”

Earlier, jurors heard the contents of a letter written by Ms Greville on October 29, 2020 — three days before Giggs allegedly assaulted her.

The letter, titled The Final Goodbye, details the alleged infidelities of the former Wales international and Wales manager with at least eight women.

Giggs’s defence team read the letter, which began: “I know pretty much everything you have been doing with other women behind my back since the day I met you.”

Ms Greville described Giggs as a “compulsive liar and serial cheat”, telling him: “My gut always told me you couldn’t be trusted.

“I now know you say the same things you say to me to multiple women.

“I’m nothing special, I was just the one you didn’t let have a happy life.”

Ms Greville claimed the “other women” have “husbands and kids”.

Former Manchester United footballer Ryan Giggs arrives at Manchester Crown Court. Reuters

Jurors heard the “goodbye” letter continued: “I know you and Helen had a full-on relationship while you were sleeping with me.

“You told her you loved her and wanted to have a family.”

The letter said “Helen” had “met the kids” and that she and Giggs were “in constant contact, even now”.

It went on to say: “You and Zara were also in a full-on relationship for nearly a year,” adding that Giggs “got your Harrods guy to send her a pair of shoes and a dress”.

The letter continued: “I know about Natalie and Suzie, not to mention Kelly.

“I know about the women you meet at the Stafford [Hotel in London].”

Ms Greville added in the letter: “Oh, and I know about Steph — she’s married to the cricketer now.”

She accused them of having a “full blown affair in 2014” which “carried on the whole time you were seeing me”.

Ms Greville added: “Let’s not forget about (name redacted)” — another woman he was accused of being unfaithful with.

The letter continued: “You will never lie to me or cheat on me again.”

Ms Greville said she intended to keep the puppy she and Giggs had bought, saying: “I think after everything you have put me through, I deserve to have something good from this relationship.”

She said she had “finally found out I fell in love with a person who doesn’t even exist”.

“I’m sad you could never be honest with me about anything,” she said in the letter.

“You were constantly telling me you want to be happy but us girls can always tell when a man is lying and cheating.

“A little bit of advice: If you want to be happy with someone, be honest. Don’t cheat.

“I believe you loved and still love Helen but you cheated on her with me.”

Giggs denies using controlling and coercive behaviour against Ms Greville between August 2017 and November 2020, assaulting her, causing actual bodily harm, and the common assault of her younger sister, Emma Greville, 26.

Giving evidence earlier in the week, self-confessed “love cheat” Giggs told the jury he had been unfaithful in all his previous relationships but had never assaulted a woman.

He said he had never been able to resist “interest” from an “attractive woman”, agreed he was a “flirt by nature”, and confirmed he had lied more than once to his ex-wife Stacey and Ms Greville.

The trial continues.