Giggs battling for place

Ryan Giggs is realistic enough to know he will not be a regular starter this season.

The United veteran, 37, played an important role last term in helping the club win a record 19th title and finish runners-up in the Champions League. However, with younger team-mates fighting hard for a first-team place, the midfielder knows he needs to repeat last year's form if he is to impress Sir Alex. After being an unused substitute on the opening weekend at West Brom, Giggs is pushing for inclusion against Tottenham on Monday night.

"I’m experienced enough to know I’m not going to start every game or even play every game," he told ManUtd.com at the opening of the Official Megastore at Old Trafford. The thing I want to do is be effective and contribute to the team. As soon as I stop doing that, I’ll finish.

"Hopefully, I can just contribute to the team, to the club, whether it be starting a game or coming on and using my experience in games. You want to play every game, of course, but I know I can't."

Giggs expects a stern examination against Spurs, the side he scored twice against, both from the penalty spot, in the Old Trafford fixture a couple of seasons ago.

"United-Spurs games, whether they’re at Old Trafford or White Hart Lane, are always great games to be involved in because you’ve got two clubs with great history, who play football in the right way," he explained. "Both clubs have always got talented, creative players and they’re always great games. Hopefully this one will be no different."