Giggs vows to make amends

United veteran relishing Reds showdown

By Rob Parrish   Last updated: 18th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

We didn't play well here last year against Liverpool and they deserved the victory. We let ourselves down last year.

Ryan Giggs.
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Ryan Giggs has admitted Manchester United are determined to make amends for their home humbling at the hands of Liverpool last season.

The Reds romped to a 4-1 victory at Old Trafford just over 12 months ago on a bleak afternoon for Sir Alex Ferguson and the Red Devils faithful.

Despite that setback, United went on to retain their Premier League crown with their bitter North West rivals having to settle for second place.

This season, Rafa Benitez's troops are well off the title pace and are battling simply to ensure they finish fourth to secure another season of UEFA Champions League football.

And veteran midfielder Giggs, who could make his comeback from a broken arm wearing a lightweight cast, knows just what is at stake for both teams.

Massive game

The Welshman told Sky Sports News: "We didn't play well here last year against Liverpool and they deserved the victory. Hopefully that won't be the same this week.

"It's a massive game, purely because it is Liverpool. It is towards the end of the season so there is so much riding on it.

"No matter how the teams are doing, it is just a massive rivalry because of the history between the two teams, they are two successful teams.

"There is lots of quality on the pitch so you know need to perform whether you are at Anfield or Old Trafford.

"We let ourselves down last year. Hopefully that won't be the case. We are in good form and scoring goals."

History

Giggs has played an integral role in helping United move level with Liverpool on a record 18 domestic league titles, with 11 crowns of his own.

And the experienced campaigner claims that finally moving ahead of their neighbours in the record books would be a sweet moment, although it is not his only motivation.

He added: "As a United fan, for me it comes into it, growing up seeing Liverpool win everything.

"We are trying to win the league this year and whatever records you break or whatever things you do in history comes after.

"At the moment you want to win the game to try and help you win the league."

Comments (20)

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Jimmy D (Arsenal fan) says...

I think that you can often discount the form tables going into big games like this. Both sides will be up for this and it will come down to individual players. Rooney is the best player in the Country at present and will fancy this game. At the same time the Liverpool players will want a big scalp at this stage in a poor season. In view of the title race I will be happy to see a Liverpool result, hopefully we will see great football whatever the result.

Posted 14:18 18th March 2010

Delano Delan (Arsenal fan) says...

United is the strongest team on paper but remember this Pool side is just regaining back form and confidence.A fit again Tores and the other lads i fore see a Liverpool win.The Liverpool team we have seen in the recent weeks is comming of good though its too late. Only Benitez will cst them but on paper the like of Riera , Benayoun and others are quality players on the pitch to match United in all respects. I see a convincing Pool win despite the fact that they will not be fresh having played in Europe two days ago.

Posted 14:15 18th March 2010

Terrence Olivier (Manchester United fan) says...

Kieran Davies' comment deserves great praise. There are obviously going to be emotions and rivalries involved in the lead up to a game of this significance, but there is also a place for objectivity and goodwill towards the opposition. It bothers me to see Liverpool not doing well this year, and the decline of their famous 'pass and move' footballing brand is a loss to football. There may be hope for improvement in the future, and contrary to what many think, the current manager might be capable of overseeing that improvement. Of course, Jose Mourinho might also be the perfect candidate. He's quite a phenomenon. Having finances in place is essential, however, and, despite what people think about Man United's financial situation, Liverpool are facing just as many dilemmas. Manchester United are currently blessed with a crop of great players, and are being overseen by a genuine hall of fame manager. It would be a shame if this team does not live up to its potential, and achieve the records it deserves. While the aspirations of fans to outdo the opposition are bound to exist, I think there should be less malice involved. I hope to as magnanimous as Kieran Davies if ever the situations of both teams are to be reversed. After all, northern football is simply the best in the world, and these two teams have put England on the map, on the international scale.

Posted 13:52 18th March 2010

Curtis Whyte (Liverpool fan) says...

Two united fans, both missing the point. United only lost because they made mistakes? No. Liverpool were better on both occasions last season, not because united made errors. Maybe they were forced into errors due to good play. United never give the other side credit. It'll be close Sunday. To the Liverpool 'fan' who said united deserve to win. The game hasn't kicked off yet, what are you on pal? Good luck redmen. Attack.

Posted 13:24 18th March 2010

Mark Fairley (Manchester United fan) says...

Rafa has very distinct tactics which tend to work against United. He asks his players to press the play, giving United players no time on the ball in the hope of rushing them into mistakes. From back to front they'll not stop running and hope to unsettle United that way. As soon as they win a loose ball they'll look to send Torres on his way with his pace which Vidic in particular can't live with. I'm hoping this time round however United will know what's coming and have themselves set up to deal with it.

Posted 13:20 18th March 2010

Henry Daniels (Manchester United fan) says...

Manchester United should win, if we do our basics right and capitalise on our changes. Having Rio and Nemanja back, will be vital and a good performance from them should favour a win for us. Silly mistakes from Nemanja we cannot afford. A good midfield performance, with Carrick, Fletcher, Park and Valencia will do the trick. With Berbatov scoring in the last game, will give him confidence going into this game. If we control the mid-field we could win convincing. Glory, glory Man United

Posted 13:01 18th March 2010

Stephen Ellis (Liverpool fan) says...

Untied fans have every reason to predict the win based liverpools inconsistant season, however, the form book is torn up in these type of games. Are the 2 teams that far apart though? Excluding the managers of course (As much as it pains me Fergie is superior to most) Goal keeper - Van der Sar has been a great goalkeeper and Reina is destined for the same (being only 25) Both 8/10 Defense - When Fit United's defense pips it for me liv - 7/10 United - 8/10 Mid - Even with the loss of Alonso liverpools midfield has more craft, energy and streel, Carrick, Hargreaves, Anderson? For me not a shadow of your former midfielders. With Scholes and giggs fading (great as they were) This is Uniteds Weak link. A Masch or a stevie would tranform your midfield. Utd - 7/10 Liv - 9/10 Forwards. A tricky one.....Rooney's on fire but torres on the way back is 100% world class. Split them? They are both complete strikers yet have some different. On there days these 2 as well as Drogba are the worlds best both if not all 3 are 10/10 (i deliberately excluded berbatov, kuyt, babel, owen,,,,,not in the same league as our talisman) To me, although the league table suggestes otherwise and rightly so, the starting 11 of each respective sides are not poles apart. The problem there by lies firmly at the door of one particluar manager. Tactically Benitez is superb. An eye for talent at 'reasonable cost' and getting the best out of him? he lags behind fergie by some distance. Games like the one Sunday can be won and lost by simple little details. Stretching form over a whole season and actually winning it is something i fell Benitez lacks in the English game and for that reason only i hope and expect he leaves for madrid this summer paving the way for amanager who can ACTUALLY win our league......Dare i say Jose?

Posted 12:58 18th March 2010

Andy Gilmartin (Manchester United fan) says...

Form goes out of the window for this game. Both teams are capable of winning it. If Torres and Gerrard turn up, we could be in for a very difficult game. I just hope Rooney doesn't go missing like he did against BARCA in CL Final. MASSIVE game. If we lose this our 4th title on the trot will be hang by a thread. Too be fair I'm quite excited.

Posted 12:30 18th March 2010

Darryn Edwards (Liverpool fan) says...

Keiran Davies, are you having a laugh. Yes you may appreciate united are a good team, but to want them to do really well is strange coming from a liverpool fan. I can appreciate that they are a good team, and as he stays fit more, they probably have a better striker than we do in torres.Also, you say united deserve to win this game? How do you work that out? They may deserve to win the league or CL, or to do well overall, but how can they deserve to win overall? The last few times we have played united, they have as always expected to win, and rooney saying prematch last year that he "hates" liverpool probably caused the extra on him to perform, which he has failed to do for years against liverpool, he is invisible in most of those games,has he ever scored against liverpool? Everyone seems to be getting the impression that benitez outthinks ferguson, obviously to a degree that is right, but all liverpool do is stick torres up front to make vidic and ferdinand cry when the ball comes near, and then to press hard everywhere else on the pitch. The "legends" such as scholes cannot cope with the likes of lucas getting in his face!

Posted 11:05 18th March 2010

Dale Forshaw (Liverpool fan) says...

Kieran Davies, you are not a Liverpool fan at all. Your comments make me want to find you to slap some sense into you I mean come on, what ever happend to YNWA. With the comments you've just made about United the sworn enemy, you should never be allowed in Liverpool never mind Anfield again. Wake up U plonker

Posted 10:54 18th March 2010

James Kenny (Manchester United fan) says...

This is a massive game for both teams, anything but a win for Man Utd will dent our title hopes in a big way, and Liverpool will struggle to make the Champions League if they lose. I think United have the advantage as Liverpool played on Monday and again tonight in the Europa disco league tonight so fatigue may play a part, whatever happens I hope it will be a great game.

Posted 10:08 18th March 2010

Scott Clements (Manchester United fan) says...

@Curtis Whyte "we started beating you regular". OK you've beaten us three times on the bounce.....whoopy do....if you look to before your win at Anfield last season, dating back to December 03 the record is United 10, Liverpool 1 and 1 draw....home and away!! I wouldn't say 3 is regular....if Liverpool win on Sunday then yes, 2 doubles over us in a row would be....but that record between 2003 and 2008 was rediculously one-sided! United to win 2-0 on sunday!

Posted 09:53 18th March 2010

Miodrag Pejic (Manchester United fan) says...

I've been a ManU fan since i can remember but I have never been as much disappointed as over the last three games against liverpool... On every game as David said, Manchester were favorites but didn't produce. Liverpool was down and missing players in the last three games and have managed to pull themselves up. But am I the only one who sees the reason? For me it is VIDIC. As a Balkan-guy, I support all guys coming from Ex-Yu as well as Vidic, but ManU comes first always. Vidic guy can't defend really pacey forwards. Torres destroyed him over the last two meetings as well as Eto'o in the CL finals. His stubbornness to attack him one the ball contact has gotten him more than enough yellow cards. I believe SAF or RIO should try to talk to Vidic about that or bring on Brown or Evans... Evans played really well against Pato(similar to Torres), and Brown produced one of his best ManU games against Henry. I am no manager but even I could notice Benitez attacks United on their left side with Torres, Kuyt and Benayun, wouldn'T wonder if he does the same again... But ManU to win for sure... coz we have ROONEY

Posted 09:48 18th March 2010

Leigh Renshaw says...

Vidic V Torres ... That will decide it.

Posted 09:40 18th March 2010

Tony Gannon (Liverpool fan) says...

All talk as usual from Utd fans, time for the talking to stop and give Liverpool a game. Vidic will not be looking forward to facing Torres at all, he is a major weak link. If they lose again at home it will affect their run in, I see a 1-3 Liverpool win, Torres 2, Gerrard 1.

Posted 09:33 18th March 2010

Dave Jessop (Manchester United fan) says...

I just hope Vida is not sent off for the 4th consecutive game v Liverpool - he's sure to be targeted

Posted 09:32 18th March 2010

Nick Allan (Manchester United fan) says...

Rafa seems to win the tactical battle in these games. But United need to cut out the mistakes as well - no way Liverpool would've been anywhere near United in two of the games had United not made ridiculous mistakes

Posted 09:11 18th March 2010

Keiran Davies (Liverpool fan) says...

All my life I have loved supporting a great team, but this season I fear that we will not see european football next year. Man United are a great football team and I want them to do really well, I dont think liverpool will win in Old Trafford on the weekend because at the moment the only thing the team can do well it disappoint the fans! Man United will win....they deserve to anyway

Posted 09:09 18th March 2010

Curtis Whyte (Liverpool fan) says...

"cup final" I think, as ever, fans of Manchester united need to get over themselves. Liverpool will treat it like any othe big game. The only reason united fans started calling it our cup final is when we started beating them regular. There is always an excuse for a defeat with united. I agree with david, if united don't turn ip, Liverpool can win. Most united fans are predicting a win already, just like the last three times. Why do they bother predicting?

Posted 09:06 18th March 2010

David Antrobus (Manchester United fan) says...

As much as i hate to admit it, the form heading into this game for both teams is almost identical to the form both teams were in prior to the previous two or three meetings, where the same thing happened each time. Liverpool raised their game like they were playing in a cup final, where as United expected to turn up and win. There was only ever one winner. I have been desperately disappointed with our previous couple of performances against liverpool, and am really hoping the lads approach this like they are playing chelsea or arsenal. If we do that, then we will win. But we need to go out there and play, otherwise it will be the same old......liverpool on the back of bad form, pull a result out the bag against the old enemy (again).

Posted 08:48 18th March 2010
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