Sir Alex Ferguson insists Ryan Giggs will play against Real Madrid in the Champions League with the Manchester United stalwart set to chalk-up his 1,000th professional appearance.
The veteran was rested as United put four past Norwich City in the Premier League at Old Trafford with Wayne Rooney adding to a Shinji Kagawa hat-trick.
But with Tuesday night’s second-leg balanced at one apiece, Ferguson admitted Giggs would definitely be involved at some point against the La Liga giants.
“Ryan Giggs will be involved against Real Madrid, no doubt about it,” he told the BBC.
“It’s a great moment, a great example for all young players to reach 1,000 games as a professional.”
Kagawa started in place of the absent Giggs and impressed United boss Ferguson with a hat-trick to extend the Red Devils’ lead to 15 points over rivals Manchester City.
“He [Kagawa] is a good finisher,” added Ferguson. “His injury in October, November set him back a bit, but he’s getting his form back slowly and gradually.
“His second and third, in particular, were terrific – we’ve got a cushion, I expect City to win on Monday against Villa.”
Kagawa gave United the lead immediately before the break, the Japanese international eventually collected Antonio Valencia’s cross to fire past keeper Mark Bunn.
After the interval Michael Carrick’s ranging pass found Wayne Rooney who teed up Kagawa for his, and United’s, second.
The former Borussia Dortmund midfielders compounded the Canaries misery, racing clear to chip Bunn in the visitor’s goal and collect his hat-trick.
And an added time Rooney screamer sent Chris Hughton’s side back to East Anglia with nothing to smile about, the England forward firing a rasping drive past Bunn.
Image courtesy of BBC Sport, via YouTube, with thanks.
For more on this story and many others, follow Mancunian Matters on Twitter and Facebook.
