STRACHAN - 'GIGGS FEELS GOOD'

Last updated : 03 January 2005 By editor

'Ryan Giggs is back to his best and I think a lot of that is down to the change in Manchester United's system. Instead of being hemmed in on the left of a 4-4-2, Giggs has a lot more freedom in the 4-3-3 United are playing now.

For years United's style was based on 4-4-2 and crosses, with David Beckham firing the ball in from every position on the right and Giggs driving at people on the other side. But that's gone and it suits Giggs at this stage of his career.

He's tending to play on the left of a front three. So instead of getting possession five yards from the touchline, he's getting it 25 or 30 yards in, and he likes that. From there he can much more easily go left or right.

He's also picking up the ball in areas where he's meeting a lot of midfielders when he sets off on runs. They're easier to beat than a good full-back or the central defenders he came up against when he was used as one of two central strikers.

Giggs is getting past the first man, building momentum and feeling good about himself. Then, when he meets defenders, he's beating them as well. I've seen him run 50 yards with the ball, which I've not seen for years, and I think it's because of the positions he's picking up the ball in.

I think he got back into form then. People say he's playing so well and working so hard because he's trying to get himself a contract but I don't believe that. His work-rate has always been phenomenal. This is much more about a change of position.'