Ryan Giggs has vowed to put a smile back on the faces of Manchester United fans.
The Welshman was in a good mood as he conducted his first news conference Friday, three days after being appointed player-manager following the dismissal of David Moyes.
Giggs even joked that he had given himself a new five-year contract.
He hopes to get United back on track in their final four league matches.
“It’s a proud moment for me to manage Manchester United and it’s one I will enjoy,” said Giggs, who will take his place in the dugout for the first time against Norwich on Saturday. “I want to bring back some smiles on the faces of the fans.
“I can’t wait for the game. The players are excited, too. I know the stadium will be bouncing.”
Moyes left United seventh in the Premier League, 23 points behind leaders Liverpool, and was dogged by rumours that he did not have a good relationship with his players, but Giggs gave no indication of that.
“I’d like to thank David for giving me my first chance in coaching,” said Giggs, who was appointed first-team coach when Moyes arrived.
“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.”
Despite Giggs’s warm words, there was a feeling around the Carrington training site Friday that everyone at the club was keen to move on and forget the 10 difficult months under Moyes.
United were flat, unimaginative and slow in Moyes's final game in charge, a 2-0 loss at Goodison Park.
Giggs, 40, the club’s most decorated player, with 13 Premier League titles, wants to bring back a bit of flair to Old Trafford.
“It’s been a frustrating season for everyone,” he said. “We win together and lose together and in these remaining four games, I want to bring the positivity back.
“We have three home games at Old Trafford, where the home form hasn’t been great, and I want to see goals, tackles, players taking players on and getting the crowd up.
“I want the passion that should come with being a Manchester United player.”
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What are the GCSE grade equivalents?
- Grade 9 = above an A*
- Grade 8 = between grades A* and A
- Grade 7 = grade A
- Grade 6 = just above a grade B
- Grade 5 = between grades B and C
- Grade 4 = grade C
- Grade 3 = between grades D and E
- Grade 2 = between grades E and F
- Grade 1 = between grades F and G
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Transmission: 6-speed automatic
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Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
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Day 5, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day When Dilruwan Perera dismissed Yasir Shah to end Pakistan’s limp resistance, the Sri Lankans charged around the field with the fevered delirium of a side not used to winning. Trouble was, they had not. The delivery was deemed a no ball. Sri Lanka had a nervy wait, but it was merely a stay of execution for the beleaguered hosts.
Stat of the day – 5 Pakistan have lost all 10 wickets on the fifth day of a Test five times since the start of 2016. It is an alarming departure for a side who had apparently erased regular collapses from their resume. “The only thing I can say, it’s not a mitigating excuse at all, but that’s a young batting line up, obviously trying to find their way,” said Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s coach.
The verdict Test matches in the UAE are known for speeding up on the last two days, but this was extreme. The first two innings of this Test took 11 sessions to complete. The remaining two were done in less than four. The nature of Pakistan’s capitulation at the end showed just how difficult the transition is going to be in the post Misbah-ul-Haq era.
Under 19 Cricket World Cup, Asia Qualifier
Fixtures
Friday, April 12, Malaysia v UAE
Saturday, April 13, UAE v Nepal
Monday, April 15, UAE v Kuwait
Tuesday, April 16, UAE v Singapore
Thursday, April 18, UAE v Oman
UAE squad
Aryan Lakra (captain), Aaron Benjamin, Akasha Mohammed, Alishan Sharafu, Anand Kumar, Ansh Tandon, Ashwanth Valthapa, Karthik Meiyappan, Mohammed Faraazuddin, Rishab Mukherjee, Niel Lobo, Osama Hassan, Vritya Aravind, Wasi Shah
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
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