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Giggs excited by coaching role
Ryan Giggs is revelling in his new role as player/coach for Manchester United and revealed he’s already seeing the game from a different perspective.
Giggs was appointed to the role earlier this month and is learning the ropes alongside the Reds’ new backroom team, though he’s not immersed in the job entirely yet.
"It has worked well so far and I am excited about it," he said. "It is about getting the balance right because I am still playing but I have enjoyed it so far.
"The manager likes to coach and we have Jim Lumsden, Steve Round and Phil Neville, so there is not a big emphasis on that at the moment. It is looking behind the scenes and seeing how everything works.
"It is completely different from playing. Even though I have been playing for 20-odd years, I am seeing the other side of it, how we prepare for games. It is something I had not experienced as a player. Some things I knew, others I didn't. It has been a real education."
Giggs is still very much involved on the playing side and put in an hour-long shift in Saturday's first pre-season match against a Singha All Star XI, in which several Reds youngsters caught the eye.
The Welshman added: "I am excited. Adnan [Januzaj] did well and looks a really good prospect. He has trained with us quite a bit in pre-season and shown his talent.
"Now it is just about having that experience, learning from the older players and doing what he does best. You don't want to get ahead of yourself – he is only young.
"Wilfried [Zaha] came on and was unlucky not to score, and Jesse [Lingard] got some shots off as well. It was good experience for these lads to come on the tour, play in front of big crowds and get that experience.
"All the players I mentioned, not just Wilfried, are tremendous prospects. They are all exciting and will gain experience from games like that."
Giggs was speaking to PA Sport.