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Ryan Giggs has urged Manchester United to offer Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra new deals and insisted both are still major assets. #INSERT
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caption:Defenders Patrice Evra and Rio Ferdidand still have plenty to have Man United, Ryan Giggs says.
END# • Okwonga: Succession politics The veteran defenders could be entering the final week of their first-team careers at Old Trafford as both are out of contract in the summer. Ferdinand, 35, joined from Leeds in 2002 and is the subject of reported interest from clubs in the United States and Turkey. And Evra, who turns 33 later this month, has been linked with other clubs and with United yet to appoint a new manager and trying to buy a younger left-back, they risk losing the France international, who was bought from Monaco in 2006. But interim manager Giggs has restored both to the team for his first game in charge and he said in a news conference: "Both their contracts are up but they have both given massive service to the club. They are both fit and they both looked good last week. I don't see why not." Chief executive Ed Woodward and United's next manager, who is expected to be Louis van Gaal, will be part of the decision whether to keep Ferdinand and Evra but Giggs believes United ought to keep them. "Everyone [will be involved]," he added. "Rio, Patrice, Ed and whoever is the manager next year. It is a group discussion but I still think they have a lot to offer. They have been great players and they remain assets to a club like Manchester United." Giggs said he admired former Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager Van Gaal's record over the years. "He has a brilliant reputation," he said. "He is a successful manager in different countries. Obviously he has taken Holland to the World Cup. He has a fantastic pedigree." The 40-year-old is waiting to see if he will be part of the backroom staff next season and is yet to decide whether to retire as a player or now but while his future is up in the air, he is in regular contact with Woodward. "I am constantly speaking to Ed," he added. Giggs has made 962 appearances for United but unless he selects himself against Sunderland on Saturday or Hull on Tuesday, he may have played his final game at Old Trafford. "It is not something I have really thought about," he insisted. "We just have to wait and see. We have to see how the team performs tomorrow and then see if I can get in. My main priority is winning the games. Does me playing give us the best chance? We will see." Giggs believes it will be a significant summer for United in the transfer market after they slumped to seventh place this year, but feels they have the squad to do better. "It has not been a great season this year," he accepted. "It is important we get the right players in and we improve on this season. I see plenty of quality at the club. "Whether you have been successful or not, you would always look to strengthen. That will never change. If the players are out there, you try and go and get them. If there are players who can improve you and take you forward, you try and get them." The interim manager won his first game in charge, 4-0 against Norwich, and knows that if he can overhaul sixth-placed Tottenham then United will be in Europe next season. He added: "Obviously everybody wants to be in the Champions League but the next step down is the Europa League. I believe Manchester United should be in Europe."
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