Manchester United make Ryan Giggs player-coach

Manchester United have announced that veteran winger Ryan Giggs is to become a player-coach with immediate effect.

And former United defender Phil Neville is also set to take a coaching position at the club.

The 39-year-old Giggs is a legend at Old Trafford, having made well over 900 appearances for the club since his debut in 1991.

The 13-time Premier League winner signed a one-year extension to his playing contract in March and will now become a part of new manager David Moyes' coaching staff as well.

Often mentioned as a possible future United manager, Giggs has been taking his coaching badges and is due to attain the UEFA Pro Licence next summer.

"It's a great privilege to be appointed a player-coach," he said. "I hope I will be able to bring my experience to bear, having been both a player and part of the Manchester United family for so long.

"It's no secret that I have been taking my qualifications and I see this as the first step in my future career. I'm really looking forward to working alongside David and the team."

Moyes added: "I'm delighted that Ryan has accepted the chance to become player-coach. His success and ability to adapt his game over a number of years gives him an unrivalled perspective on the modern game.

"His career is an example to any aspiring young player and I'm sure that both he and the players will benefit from his new role."

Sky sources understand Neville is also set to join the first-team coaching set-up under Moyes.

Neville was at the United training ground on Thursday morning as the new boss looks to finalise his backroom team, ahead of the tour to the Far East later this month.

Neville made 385 appearances in 11 seasons as a first-team player at Old Trafford before playing under Moyes at Everton.

Moyes has already confirmed that coaches Steve Round, Chris Woods and Jimmy Lumsden will be following him to United from Everton.