Giggs wants third Champions League trophy

Team GB may not have won any football medals at the men’s Olympics – but Ryan Giggs reckons he struck gold.

The Old Trafford legend, 39 in November, believes he has been a winner in the fitness stakes because playing and training for tournament action gave him a head start on most other players at Manchester United and in the Premier League.

It’s been different to any other season because I was involved in the Olympics, which helped me in terms of sharpness
- Ryan Giggs

He feels stronger in body and mind than ever as he plays his 23rd season in the United first team. And Giggs also believes harsh lessons have been learned from last season’s Champions League exit, to put United in good shape to go for the club’s fourth European Cup – and his third.

Giggs said: “It’s been different to any other season because I was involved in the Olympics, which helped me in terms of sharpness.”

Now, after victory over Galatasaray, Giggs is confident about a step into the unknown against CFR Cluj in Romania on Tuesday night and he added: “Sometimes you need reminders in football and last year was certainly one of those.”