RYAN GIGGS believes Mason Greenwood can handle the pressure of taking on his famous No 11 shirt — because he is so good he can score twice a game.
Greenwood has been handed the number worn for two decades by Manchester United legend Giggs on the eve of a season where he is expected to dazzle.
Mason Greenwood has been tipped to replicate Ryan Giggs’ form by the great man himselfCredit: Reuters
Giggs believes Greenwood is worthy of wearing his legendary No11 shirtCredit: AFP – Getty
His off-field behaviour was called into question after he was sent home in disgrace from England duty last week.
But Giggs laughed off fears the pressure of wearing his old shirt could weigh the 18-year-old down.
The Wales boss said: “He’s nearly already scored more goals than I did, so there’s no pressure in that respect. But no, I don’t think he’ll feel the pressure of the number.
“He’s a brilliant player, who I don’t think he even looks like scoring every game — I think he’s going to score two every game, he’s that much of a threat.
“He’s been playing off the right — eventually, I think he will go as a centre-forward.
“But he needs to go again. Opposition will be aware of him and they’ll be trying to stop him.
“He’s got to find a way to keep improving, which I’m sure he will do because he’s very hard to stop — left or right foot, his movement’s good.
“And he’s in an attacking team with the likes of Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes, who can find him.”
Greenwood’s fellow England Covidiot Phil Foden also has something to prove after his antics in Iceland.
And Giggs said the 20-year-old’s biggest test is yet to come at Manchester City — proving he is good enough to be trusted by Pep Guardiola every week.
Giggs said: “David Silva would be a miss for any team but it’s a chance for the likes of Phil Foden, who’s had a taste of it and has shown his quality.
“He’s a talent, everyone can see that. It’s now about when he gets his chance he has to take it and stay in the team. The easy bit is getting in it.”
Speaking as he relaunched McDonald’s Fun Football programme, Giggs added: “Liverpool start the season as favourites, purely because of what they’ve done the last couple of years.
“It’s up to the rest to step up. City will, I’m sure United will and Chelsea have been really decisive in the transfer market.
“So I expect them to get closer to Liverpool.”
Giggs admits all of his Wales players are eager to face England next monthCredit: McDonalds
Giggs faces a selection dilemma next month . . . because all his Wales stars WANT to take on England.
The Dragons play their old rivals at Wembley in a friendly on October 8 ahead of two Nations League games.
But, after two opening wins in Group B4 and clashes with Republic of Ireland and Bulgaria to come as part of an international triple-header, Giggs has a juggling act ahead.
His squad from experienced stars Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey to one-cap duo Dylan Levitt and Ben Cabango will all be desperate to test themselves against the Three Lions.
The Wales boss said: “Wales against England in football, rugby, or whatever, is huge. And every player will want to be part of that.
“So it’s up to me to get the team selection right because then after that, we’ve got two tough away Nations League games and we’re top of the group and want to stay there.
“But the lads all want to be involved in the England game.
“Luckily, I have a few more substitutions. So that will help me in that regard.
“It’s a huge test for us because England are a top team. The players they can draw upon, they’re playing Champions League regularly and are top players, and they prove that.
“So it’s a real big test for us and it’s one we have to have to rise to at Wembley. But we’re a good team as well and we’ve got everyone available, so we’ll give England a good test.
“All the players will know each other and that is not always the case in international football.
“We experienced that a couple years ago when we played the Republic of Ireland and it’s always tough because you know the players so well, and it’s always tight.
“And it means so much to the players and the fans and the country as a whole when we do play the likes of England, so it’ll be an emotional game, but one that obviously we need to use our emotions in the right way.”
Giggs is delighted with the way his side came through the international break with victories over Finland and Bulgaria, even though the standard of football was not the highest.
It was a nightmare programme for all international managers with their squads at differing stages of pre-season.
And next opponents England struggled more than most with unconvincing displays against Iceland, winning 1-0 with a late penalty, and a goalless draw with Denmark.
But speaking to relaunch the McDonald’s Fun Football programme following lockdown, Giggs is sure the October round of matches will be a far better standard.
He added: “I’ve got sympathy for Gareth because I experienced it where there’s a lot of players who haven’t played who have had a quick turn-around.
“They had played a long season last year, going on after the lockdown, and then only having a two-week turnaround.
“Some had been on holiday and only had a couple of days training.
“So it was really hard to sort of play flowing football and have that cohesion which you’d normally get.
“With international teams it is always difficult, but it was even more difficult this time because of the circumstances.
“It wasn’t easy, especially with the only three substitutions so credit to the lads who, you know, played two 90 minutes and performed so well and really dug out results.
“It was like a pre-season really for a lot of the lads, and the two teams that we played, their season had started and they were four or five games in.
“So I was delighted it was a really good camp and obviously I was able to give a few debuts as well and give experience to a few of the good the younger players we’ve got coming through.
“Some had played a couple of practice games, some had played nothing at all.
“Gareth Bale had trained two training sessions, that was it. So we were a bit all over the place regarding that.
“So it was a lot of work juggling the two teams, then trying to pick two teams really.”
Wales manager Ryan Giggs was relaunching McDonald’s Fun Football programme, which offers fun, free and safe football sessions for children age 5-11.
To find your nearest Fun Football Centre and to sign up for a session, go to mcdonalds.co.uk/football
Southgate says he would have sent Foden and Greenwood home from England duty in disgrace regardless of Covid-19 breaches
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
