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Giggs reveals how Manchester United’s new signing James is better than Messi and Ronaldo

Giggs reveals how Manchester United’s new signing James is better than Messi and Ronaldo

Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs believes the club’s first signing of the summer, Daniel James, is probably faster than Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Image result for Daniel James

The 45-year-old manager who is now in charge of Wales national team was a famously fast left winger in his own playing days, and racked up a record 963 appearances for the club between 1991 and 2013.

But despite that lengthy career in the game, in which he played alongside fast players like Cristiano Ronaldo – and against countless rapid opponents like Lionel Messi – Giggs believes he has never encountered another player as fast as James.

Image result for Giggs Ronaldo

“First of all, his best attribute is his speed,” said the Manchester United legend “I mean, I’ve probably not seen anyone as quick as him in my whole career. That’s a big shout, because obviously I’ve played with and played against quick players. He can play a number of positions – anywhere across the front three, really.”

“This year, he’s played quite a bit for Swansea up front, which he’s not done a lot of in the past, but he’s looked comfortable. He’s a nightmare for defenders. He’s not that big, so it’s hard to get your arm across him. He’s both-footed, can score goals, create goals.”

Image result for Daniel James

Giggs was the manager that handed James his international debut for Wales in November 2018. In March 2019, the youngster earned Wales a 1-0 victory over Slovakia in his first competitive start, when he scored after just five minutes. The youngster also started both recent European Championship qualifiers against Croatia and Hungary.

While Giggs is full of praise for the 21-year-old’s attacking capabilities, but also keen to highlight his mental toughness. “He’s got a really good temperament as well,” Giggs explains. “He went through a tough stage where he went out on loan to Shrewsbury, and it didn’t quite work out. He came back, did really well for Swansea and then, it was well documented, at the turn of the year, his move to Leeds fell through.”

“Then, after that, really, he’s just been on fire. So it just shows the strength of character that he has got, because I know that he was close to moving.”

“He didn’t let it get to him; he just concentrated, knuckled down, did really well for me [for Wales] against Slovakia, obviously scored the winning goal, and he’s just got better and better all season. He’s still young, still learning the game, but he’s a speed merchant and I’m sure he’ll be a nightmare for defenders on that big Old Trafford pitch.”

James is one of several exciting, young Welsh talents available to Giggs, with Bournemouth’s David Brooks and Liverpool’s Harry Wilson, who was on loan at Derby County last term, also enjoying fine seasons in 2018/19, and the 13-time Premier League winner feels he is putting together a promising Wales squad which boasts a blend of experience and youth.

“I’ve got experienced players and I’ve got young players coming through, and Dan is one of them,” he continues. “What I want is competition for places.”

“Everyone always says you want two players for every position, and I’m nearly getting there in that department. But especially [in the] front areas, wide areas, I’ve got plenty of choice, and even Dan may find it hard to get in the starting line-up! It just shows the quality that I have got. I’m lucky in that respect, that I’ve got a lot of young players at my disposal.”