Match Preview: Manchester United vs Norwich City

Manchester United interim manager Ryan Giggs will be without striker Robin Van Persie for his first game in charge as Manchester United manager.

Van Persie remains sidelined with a knee injury, along with Brazilian full back Rafael, who is currently struggling to overcome a thigh problem.

Norwich are without defender Joseph Yobo who is struggling with a calf problem. However, winger Elliott Bennett could make a return to the side after coming back from along term knee injury.

After a series of events in Manchester, which resulted in the sacking of David Moyes, club legend Ryan Giggs would be eager to bring some attacking intent into the squad.

David Moyes’ six year contract got terminated on Tuesday after 10 months in charge after a series of disappointing results and failure to qualify for next year’s Champions League.

Ryan Giggs has replaced Moyes as interim manager for the next four games and is joined by fellow Class of 92 players Phil Neville, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes.

Some fans and pundits have even tipped Ryan Giggs to become the manager on a full time basis, however Giggs is just focusing on the next four games.

It is fair to say that this has been Giggs’ disappointing season as a Manchester United player by losing 10 times in one season. Something which never happened whilst playing under Sir Alex.

Ryan Giggs should be expecting a warm reception at Old Trafford as he leads Manchester United out tonight against a Norwich City side, who will be playing with gut and spirit to take something from this game.

Norwich have the worst away record in the Premier League this season and have only managed 11 goals. Although United have nothing to challenge for the players would be desperate to perform for manager Ryan Giggs and the fans, who have had to endure a miserable season after years of success with Sir Alex.

 

Ryan Giggs: Manchester United Relish Champions League Tie With Bayern Munich

Manchester United do not see themselves as “underdogs” for Tuesday’s Champions League home match with holders Bayern Munich, says player-coach Ryan Giggs.

After a disappointing start to David Moyes’s first season in charge of Manchester United, Ryan Giggs believes the current champions of England can go all the way and win the Champions League.

As well as poor on the pitch performances by players, the off the pitch antics have been monstrous with a division between fans in backing the new manager, who was hand picked by Sir Alex Ferguson.

Other United supporters felt disgruntled after heavy derby day defeats to rivals Liverpool and Manchester City.  The most disappointing for the majority of United fans was the investment in a plane banner which read ‘Wrong One – Moyes Out’.

Ryan Giggs remains confident that United could pull it off, although the Reds are heavy underdogs against last season’s treble winners. Giggs made his 961st appearance for Manchester United against Olympiakos, where the Reds managed to overcome a 2-0 deficit and win 3-0 at Old Trafford, courtesy of a Robin Van Persie hat trick.

Meanwhile, Bayern Munich have retained the German Bundesliga under new manager Pep Guardiola with seven games remaining.

The chances of Manchester United being in the Champions League next season are slim as they are 10 points adrift of fourth place.

The injuries to key players is a concern for David Moyes and Manchester United as Robin Van Persie is out of action for upto six weeks. Smalling, Ferdinand, Evans and Rafael are all out injured whilst left back Patrice Evra is suspended.

Also, Spaniard Juan Mata is cup tied after playing for Chelsea in the competition earlier this season.

Despite the growing injury list, United manager is looking forward to meeting against Pep Guardiola for the first time.

“We have defensive issues undoubtedly, we will have to make one or two changes,” said Moyes. “We know that on our day we’re as good a side as any but we have to show it more often.

“I am really looking forward to coming up against  Pep Guardiola. It is the first time I have done but I have no doubt I will be doing it many times in the future.”

The first leg is going to be played at Old Trafford on Tuesday 1st April, with the return leg being at the Allianz Arena in Munich on Wednesday 9th April.

Manchester United Deny Rumours About Fallout Between David Moyes And Ryan Giggs

Manchester United have denied the rumours, which have heavily speculated that manager David Moyes fell out with player-coach Ryan Giggs after Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to Liverpool at Old Trafford.

Giggs, 40, is the most decorated footballer to serve Manchester United, and he was left out of Moyes’s squad for the match against rivals Liverpool.

A spokesman for Manchester United said, “The story of any problems between Ryan and the manager are completely false.” Although Welshman Ryan Giggs still remains under contract for Manchester United, David Moyes appointed Giggs as part of his coaching staff since taking over from Sir Alex Ferguson.

The crucial 10 days to decide Moyes’s fate as Manchester United manager included four games against rivals Liverpool and Manchester City as well as West Ham United and the second leg clash between Greeks Olympiakos.

DAVID MOYES: Manchester United manager looks on ahead of 3-0 defeat

After being played off the park by a strong Liverpool side, Moyes faced increasing pressure of losing the job, and fans took their rage and agression to social media sites such as Twitter. Moyes is now looking to reverse a 2-0 deficit against Olympiakos at Old Trafford on Wednesday night. Journalists, pundits and fans are suggesting that the pressure of being United manager may be too big for Moyes, and that the next three games will decide his fate as manager.

Although United performed poorly, which resulted in a 3-0 defeat, the United faithful continued to sing 20 times, 20 times, 20 times to the Liverpool fans, but no support was given to the manager.

However, Moyes remains adamant that United will be able to turn the 2-0 deficit around on Wednesday night.

“The players are capable of turning it around. We’re all desperate to put things right and make sure we play better to give the supporters here something to shout about.”

As the games are now starting to come thick and fast as the business end of the season approaches us, Moyes will have to galvanise his squad and get the best out of the players in order to grind out results, which could be Moyes’s biggest matches in his managerial career.