It was perhaps telling that Ryan Giggs came on for a cameo appearance for Manchester United last night. The 20 minutes he played was charged with emotion and could well prove to be a farewell to his playing career at Manchester United.
We think that he still has so much to offer Manchester United as a player – he still has more quality and invention on the ball than many of his younger colleagues – that he could surely remain on the playing staff as an impact substitue for a couple more years yet while continuing to learn the ropes as manager.
But perhaps just as telling were the ommissions on Tuesday night.
Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra have been two of Manchester United’s best servants of all time. They have both played crucial roles in the most successful period in United’s history.
There has been intense speculation that both could leave Manchester United at the end of the season but we think that last night proved both will stay on for another year.
Because surely there is no way that either would have to suffer the ignominy of playing their last Manchester United games away from home.
Manchester United is a respectful club which always pays respect to its best servants and players of this calibre will surely get a fitting send off when they do call time on their United careers – and this send off will be at Old Trafford.
So, for our money, Rio and Parrice will both be at Manchester United next season as mentors and players in a squad which needs stability more than ever.
soccersweep thinks that’s great news for Manchester United fans because their departures would have definitely been premature. As well as offering quality as players they can give so much to the youngsters who will eventually take their places in the next United vintage.
