Giggs has jet-lag worries

United winger hopes team won't pay price for Japan trip

By Richard Bailey   Last updated: 19th December 2008

Giggs has jet-lag worries

Giggs: Lack of sleep

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Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs is hoping that he and his team-mates do not suffer from jet-lag when they return from Japan to face Stoke on Boxing Day.

Giggs and a number of United players have struggled to adjust to the time difference in Japan after their 12-hour flight over and the winger is worried that the same thing will happen when they journey home after Sunday's final.

The Welshman did not show any signs of tiredness as he completed 90 minutes of United's Fifa Club World Cup semi-final against Asian champions Gamba Osaka.

The 35-year-old was influential for the Red Devils, setting up the first two goals from corners and slipping Wayne Rooney in to score in the second period as United ran out 5-3 winners.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side will now play South American champions Liga de Quito in the final on Sunday but it is the away clash with Stoke that Giggs is worried about.

"I hope it won't have a knock-on effect to out title defence," he said.

"We don't know how it will affect us next Friday. It has been quite difficult over here. I have not slept much, four or five hours sleep a night really.

Preparation

"You just have to prepare the best you can. It is a bit of a problem. Overall the team looked fit and sharp.

"We have a squad big enough to handle the games over the Christmas period and we just hope come that game against Stoke we have got over the jet -lag."

Meanwhile Cristiano Ronaldo was again in the headlines earlier this week after fresh rumours surfaced via a Madrid director that a deal was already in place for the 23-year-old to move to the Bernabeu in the summer.

United boss Ferguson has already blasted the rumours and Giggs is confident Ronaldo will remain at Old Trafford.

"All this is nothing new," he added.

"It has been going on for over a year now. Players get on with it. You want your top players at the club. I am sure that will continue to be the case.

"We feel he is at the best place."