Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand have named the Manchester City star who was ‘100 per cent a Man United player’ on the latest episode of the latter’s podcast.
Giggs was appearing on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, presented by Qatar Airways, which goes live at 6am on Friday April 25.
The Red Devils legends discussed a number of topics, including current affairs such as the form of Alejandro Garnacho, the best midfielders in the Premier League and how Giggs would fix Manchester United.
They also spoke about Giggs’ career, from his time as interim boss of United, to becoming Wales manager and his disappointment of not being able to fulfil his role as boss.
Deep in discussion about United, the two men spoke about the United of years gone by, including some past stars. One of those stars was Angel Di Maria, who failed to show his best during his year-long stay at the club.
That led to talk of what it takes to be a Red Devils player, and Giggs suggested one current rival player who has the attributes needed to play for the club.
Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand have named the Manchester star who was ‘100 per cent a Man United player’
Giggs was appearing on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, which goes live at 6am on Friday April 25
Giggs said he felt Jack Grealish (right) is ‘100 per cent’ a United player – but he instead plays for rivals City
‘You know, Di Maria was a United player, I felt,’ Giggs said. ‘But at the time, we played with a diamond, so he played left of a diamond.
‘Or we played three at the back with two up front, and he played No 10. So we never really played his position, where we sort of scouted him off the right from Madrid, or now and again off the left.
‘He never really played that position. But he was a United player.’
‘I loved him,’ Ferdinand said, before Giggs added: ‘It’s like [Jack] Grealish. Grealish was a United player.
‘Yeah, 100 per cent,’ Ferdinand responded. ‘He’s got the- [he] wants it.’
Grealish was one of the most sought-after players in Europe when he signed for City in 2021 for £100million, having flourished as Aston Villa captain.
He went onto enjoy further success at City, winning the Treble two years ago, but he has found game time a little harder to come by this term. Still, he is part of the City squad and has also had recent success with England, despite missing out on a spot in Thomas Tuchel’s first squad last month.
Giggs also spoke on a man who did become a United star in Alejandro Garnacho. The winger has undergone a bit of a dip this year under Ruben Amorim, but may still have plenty to offer the club.
Giggs also discussed current United winger Alejandro Garnacho, giving the thumbs up because ‘he likes to take risks’
The United great did, though, question the targets Garnacho has ‘in front of him’
‘He’s an exciting player,’ Giggs said. ‘He likes to take risks. He likes to take players on. As soon as he gets the ball, his first thought is, right, tap the full back, which I like.
‘As wingers, young players, you have dips. But also, what targets does he have in front of him? You know, I used to have a 10 drop. I used to have a Teddy (Sheringham) and Eric (Cantona) dropping off, a (Dwight) Yorkie or a (Andy) Coley running behind, a Rudd (van Nistelrooy) running in behind. I always had options.
‘So I had a pass in front and a pass in behind. He probably doesn’t have them options because there’s only one centre forward. So then you have to build the relationship quickly.’
Listen to the full Rio Meets Ryan Giggs interview on Apple Podcasts and Spotify from 6am, Friday 25th April
