Giggs to be assisted by ex-Man United teammates
By ROB HARRIS, Associated Press
Apr 23, 2014 8:05 AM CDT
FILE - This is a Monday, Aug. 16, 2010 file photo Manchester United's Ryan Giggs, right, with teammate Paul Scholes after scoring a goal against Newcastle United during their English Premier League soccer match at Old Trafford, Manchester, England. Ryan Giggs will be assisted by former teammates Paul...   (Associated Press)

LONDON (AP) — Ryan Giggs will be assisted by a trio of former Manchester United teammates as he tries to stabilize England's biggest club after the abrupt dismissal of David Moyes.

The 40-year-old Giggs, United's most decorated player, is in charge of the team for the final four matches of the Premier League season until a full-time replacement is hired. The Welshman presided over Wednesday morning's training session supported by Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Phil Neville.

They are all products of the so-called "Class of 92" youth team, which included David Beckham and was instrumental in United's exceptional success under Alex Ferguson.

It was Ferguson who hand-picked Moyes to succeed him after more than 26 years in charge, but his fellow Scotsman's 10-month reign saw United go from Premier League champions to seventh-place strugglers.

In his first public comments since Tuesday's firing, Moyes agreed that results "have not been what Manchester United and its fans are used to or expect."

"I both understand and share their frustration," he said in a statement released by the League Managers' Association.

Moyes was troubled that he first learned about his impending firing in the media rather than directly from the American-owned club's hierarchy.

"Throughout his time at United, David, as he always does, has conducted himself with integrity and professionalism, values that he believes in and that have been strongly associated with the club and its rich tradition," LMA chief executive Richard Bevan said. "It is therefore sad to see the end of David's tenure at United being handled in an unprofessional manner."

Moyes used his statement to acknowledge the "dedication and loyalty" of his coaching staff, which included Giggs and Neville.

Butt has been promoted to work with the first team under Giggs after coaching with United's under-19 and under-21 teams. Scholes, who retired from playing last year, has returned to help out his former teammate. Giggs, Butt, Neville and Scholes have made 2,453 appearances for United in total.

The next game for the 20-time English champions is against Norwich on Saturday, with the team now unable to finish in the top four Champions League places. Failure to qualify for Europe's top club competition ultimately cost Moyes his job.

"Taking charge after such a long period of continuous stability and success at the club was inevitably going to be a significant challenge, but it was one which I relished and never had a second thought about taking on," Moyes said.

"The scale of the manager's job at United is immense, but I have never stepped away from hard work . we were fully focused and committed to the process of the fundamental rebuilding that is required for the senior squad."

Louis van Gaal, who is leaving his position as Netherlands coach after the World Cup in Brazil and has previously coached Barcelona and Bayern Munich, is the favorite to succeed Moyes on a full-time basis.

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