Giggs: We were unlucky

November 30, 2010
Posted by Steven Tan | Source from ManUtd.com
Ryan Giggs bemoaned United’s bad luck after the Reds slumped to a 4-0 defeat against West Ham in the Carling Cup fifth round.
 
Sir Alex’s men began the match brightly and Gabriel Obertan had a shot pushed onto the post by Robert Green after only six minutes. The incident left Giggs pondering what might have been had the England goalkeeper not displayed such sharp reactions.
 
“Things could have been different had that shot from Gabby gone in,” Ryan told MUTV. “We started the game pretty well but that shot didn’t fall for us – it hit the post. Then West Ham scored shortly afterwards and that knocked the stuffing out of us.
 
The home side went on to score another three times and turned in the sort of performance that made observers scratch their heads and wonder if the Barclays Premier League table had been printed upside down in the matchday programme.
 
But Giggs, who turned 37 this week, says United always knew bottom-of-the-table West Ham would provide stiff competition.
 
“Whenever you come to West Ham, no matter how they’re doing, it’s always a tough game and they always want to beat us,” he said.
 
“Even though they’re not doing so well in the league, the crowd get behind them and Upton Park is always a tough place to get a result.
 
“It was disappointing to lose 4-0, though. We came here confident we could win the game.
 
“West Ham played well – you have to give them credit – and they scored some good goals, but we feel we could have defended those goals a lot better.”
 
The defeat was United’s first since April – a run of 29 games in all competitions – and an alien experience for summer signings Chris Smalling, Bebe and Javier Hernandez. But losing is part of football – even at Manchester United – and Giggs is confident that, in time, the result at West Ham will help the Reds’ youngsters.
 
“Disappointment can help you. It doesn’t feel good at the moment but hopefully the young players who have experienced this can learn from it. Next time they’re playing they’ll be determined to improve their performance and get a better result.
 
“We’re Manchester United and we have to rise above [disappointment]. You have to carry on, keep playing your football and not let your head drop.”
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