Champions League: Ryan Giggs feeling confident ahead of Bayern Munich tie
Ryan Giggs has revealed he is feeling confident ahead of tonight’s Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.
Giggs says Manchester United do not consider themselves to be underdogs for the Champs League quarter-final first leg at Old Trafford.
Giggs was part of the United team that beat Bayern 2-1 in a dramatic Champions League final back in 1999, thanks to injury-time goals from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and he expects Tuesday’s clash to also be a great spectacle.
When asked to compare the current United side with the 1999 team, he said: “Obviously the players are different but the tradition and the clubs are still the same.
“Two huge clubs, two great histories and two football teams that play football the correct way.
“When Bayern play Man United it is always a great spectacle whether it be in the Champions League final or whether it be in the quarter-finals.
“Obviously Bayern are a fantastic team. They are the holders and are obviously a very strong team and probably favourites in most people’s eyes.
“But we are Manchester United, it is at Old Trafford and we have seen so many great nights in Europe especially.
“As players we don’t see ourselves as underdogs, we see ourselves as Man Utd playing at home in the Champions League and we can’t wait.
“These are the games that you want to be involved in as a player and we will go out there and try and win the game. It is going to be tough but it usually is in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and we are confident.”
The veteran Welsh winger is also convinced that United can upset the odds and win the Champions League this season.
“Of course it is possible (for United to win the Champions League),” the midfielder said.
“You need to play well, to get that little bit of luck which we didn’t have last year.
“Being criticised comes with the territory when you are a Manchester United player and Bayern are a fantastic team.”
Giggs also denied rumours of a rift between him and United manager David Moyes.
“I don’t know where that’s come from,” said Giggs. “Yes, the relationship’s good. Of course you want to play all the time, but there’s obviously no problem with the manager.”
The 40-year-old added that he has not made a decision on whether he will be leaving Old Trafford at the end of the season.
When asked if this was likely to be his last European campaign, he replied: “I don’t know. At the end of the season I’ll take stock and see what I want to do.”
