Ryan Giggs has been back to Manchester United to help their reserve team.

Giggs, who left Old Trafford in 2016, has been drafted in to help the under-23s prepare for the Premier League International Cup.

The 43-year-old is a former teammate of Nicky Butt, who has run the academy since February 2016, and also knows U23s manager Ricky Sbragia from the Scotsman's time in charge of the reserves under Sir Alex Ferguson between 2002 and 2005.

Giggs was pictured in the directors box alongside Butt and Ferguson's former assistant Mike Phelan during the 1-0 win over Tottenham last month.

United have been drawn to face Swansea, Celtic and Athletic Bilbao in the Premier League International Cup.

After beating Swansea 2-1 in their opening game, they face Athletic at Leigh Sports Village on Wednesday.

Joe Riley, a player for the reserve side, told MUTV: "We had Giggsy in last week talking about the Premier League International Cup.

"Obviously, we're going to play teams from afar. The preparation might be different and the play might be different.

"Preparation is a part of that with the way the lads get up for the games and the way we deal with things in the match, it may be tactical or it may be physical. We've got to prepare for whatever is coming our way really."

Giggs, who retired from playing in 2014, has been out of work since leaving his post as assistant manager when Jose Mourinho replaced Louis van Gaal.

He had four games as caretaker boss in 2014 following David Moyes' dismissal but has struggled to land another manager's role.

He is set to sign a consultancy deal to become director of football at Vietnamese football academy Vietnamese Football Talents FC and has been linked with vacant roles at Everton and Sunderland.

Source:
courtesy of ESPNFC

by Rob Dawson

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