Ryan Giggs compares Joe Rodon to Manchester United great

May 7, 2020
Posted by Steven Tan | Source from Manchester Evening News
Ryan Giggs has compared Joe Rodon to Manchester United great Gary Pallister, amid transfer links between the Old Trafford club and the Wales international.
 
Rodon and Swansea anticipate bids from United and Manchester City this summer, MEN Sport understands, and Giggs is a huge fan of the 22-year-old. The United legend, who manages Rodon at international level, said in an interview with The Athletic that he sees similarities with 1990s four-time Premier League winner Pallister.
 
Giggs considers Rodon one of his key players for Wales and even a future captain, too. The centre-back is expected to attract a Premier League bidding war this summer after impressing for Swansea in the past two seasons.
 
"Joe has grown over the last year or so. He is quick. Sometimes you don't appreciate it," said Giggs.
 
"It was the day after a game and we gave some players running drills, box to box. He was running with someone fast and went past them, effortlessly. I thought, ‘Oh, I hadn't seen that .'
 
"It made me think a little bit of Gary Pallister. You don't think of him as quick but when he got going at his peak, he was.
 
"When Pally got into the channels, no one out-ran him. So that suits the way I want to play.
 
"I want my full-backs high, so if central defenders do have to get out wide and cover those positions, they are comfortable.
 
"In possession, Joe shows composure and he's a good character. I saw him giving the ball away and being unhappy with himself. I liked that. Bit intense but set standards and if he didn't keep to them, he wasn't happy with himself."
 
United signed Rodon's former Swansea - and current Wales - teammate Daniel James last summer, with Giggs advising Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on the winger's ability.
 
It remains to be seen where Rodon's future lies.
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