GIGGSY GETTING GIDDY

Last updated : 04 July 2002 By editor

for the start of the season

"I always felt last season would be very hard, even though we had won the previous two titles relatively easily, because of the strides teams like Liverpool and Arsenal had made.

"Even so, it was very tough not to come away with anything. We realised we had let ourselves down badly.

"Everyone knows there are always little blips in form. That is accepted. But if that will to win goes, you are letting yourself and your mates down.

"The manager is always looking for that desire. As soon as he sees it going from players, they are usually moved on.

"That's why you very rarely see players leaving United when they are on the top of their form or at the peak of their careers.

"We have big games every week, alongside some of the outstanding players in the world, and it has to bring the best out of you.

"All the players here want to be winning trophies and no one wants to be in the United team that slips.

"It's like Liverpool in the 80s or when Wigan were dominating everything in rugby league.

"You know everyone wants to beat you, the players and the managers. It's a clear challenge for us.

"People have reminded us that the last time we didn't win a trophy, we finished the following season with the Treble.

"That is all well and good but I think it will be just as hard next season — and you can be certain that the desire will be there from every one of us."

And on best mate, St Nicholas of Gorton:

"Ask anyone within the club and you'll find no one was surprised by how well Butty did. Whenever he is told to look after a particular player, he generally keeps them quiet. It wasn't so much Veron against Argentina, but Ariel Ortega. He did a truly brilliant job. He has given the manager a problem. But it is a nice problem to have — and not a new one, either. The big reason why we managed to get back into the title race last season was the fact he was playing so well. Butty came into the side over Christmas and that's when we started producing consistent results. It is going to be very tough to keep it going for next season, but we are all determined to do so."