Eric Harrison: I always thought Ryan Giggs would become a manager

April 24, 2014
Posted by Steven Tan | Source from SkySports
Eric Harrison, the former Manchester United academy boss who brought through the famous 'Class of '92', has said he always believed Ryan Giggs had the attributes to be a manager.
 
Giggs, 40, was named United's interim boss on Tuesday after David Moyes was sacked and heads a group of players Harrison once mentored, including Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville, now in charge of the team for the remainder of the season.
 
Harrison, who joined United in 1981 and was made head of youth development by Sir Alex Ferguson on his arrival in 1986, does not expect Giggs to be given the job full-time but predicts he will make a mark.
 
"You can't be sure at 14 years of age, but as a player I thought he's going to be a potential manager there," Harrison told Sky Sports News Radio.
 
"I knew then there's no danger about that. He was just out of this world. I've never worked with anyone better than him. He's a really honest, kind-hearted lad.
 
"I don't think he'll be taken on long-term but short-term he could make a point. The crowd going into Old Trafford at the weekend will be looking for him and thinking 'can you do it, can you do it?' There will be a different outlook."
 
Harrison also spoke highly of Butt and Scholes, who have been drafted in by Giggs to assist him for United's final four games of the season against Norwich, Sunderland and Hull City - all at Old Trafford - as well as a final-day trip to Southampton.
 
"Butt is a warrior, he'd run through broken glass for you. He's a better technical player than people give him credit for too," Harrison said.
 
"And what a clever player Paul Scholes is. He can't run, he's got no pace, but he reminds me of the Barcelona midfielders.
 
"He could have gone to play for Barca and been as good as Iniesta and Xavi. He doesn't need any speed because it's all in his mind."
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