THE GRUESOME TWOSOME

Last updated : 07 August 2006 By Ed

With Michael Carrick's injury meaning he'll miss the beginning of the season Ryan Giggs thinks United will be fine due to the skills of Fletcher and O'Pie. He is also willing to pitch in there himself.

'We have more options now because in addition to Paul Scholes coming back from injury and Michael Carrick arriving at the club, we also have John O'Shea and Darren Fletcher,' said Giggs.

'But if the manager asked me to go back in there I would do so and I would enjoy it, because I enjoyed it there last season.'

He also thinks United are getting nearer to Chelsea in terms of quality.

He added: 'We have a top-quality squad with a lot of options, which we will need because we must make a good start.

'It is plain for everyone to see that Chelsea have improved over the last couple of seasons.

'But we got closer to them last year and hopefully, we will get even closer this season.'