Saiyed Karim
The verdict following Manchester United’s smashing 5-1 rout of Leeds United in their 2021-22 Premier League season opener was unanimous – United are back.
Certainly, there were United supporters who were ready to use their BetOnline bonus to place a few quid backing United to win the EPL title.
Well, it was almost unanimous. There was one prominent voice who was of the opinion that perhaps everyone was just going a little bit overboard with their praise of the side following while what was certainly an impressive triumph, remains a solitary win in the books.
That man was United legend Johnny Giles. Never shy with his opinions, the 80-year-old Irish footballing legend, feels that too many are reading too much into one very positive result. Giles still wants to see whether United can live up to the true mark of a champion, and that is standing the test of time.
“This is the first match of the season,” Giles told Off The Ball Sports. “I think you should be talking like that when it comes to two or three matches to the end of the season. Long, long, long way to go and one thing in football is you should never get carried away.”
Based on how United was left to settle for a 1-1 draw at Southampton, perhaps Giles has a valid point.
Critical Of Solskjaer, Ferdinand
Giles saved much of his vitriol in order to counter the gushing praise of Man United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and football TV pundit Rio Ferdinard, the former United and England defender.
“I thought the comments after the match from Rio Ferdinand and particularly Solskjaer was exaggerated to say the least,” Giles said. “Never get too high, never get too low.
“One thing in football, you should never get carried away. That seemed to be the case to me. I thought they were getting carried away with it a bit. Manchester United played well and beat them well. Well deserved to win it. Well deserved.
“It was a good win, it was a good start to the season but it’s the first match.”
Started With United
While Giles is certainly best remembered for being an integral piece in the glory years of Leeds United during the late 1960s and early 1970s, his start in English football came at Old Trafford.
He joined United for a £10 signing-on fee in 1956 and began playing with the club’s youth side. His progression to the senior level was accelerated by the 1958 Munich air disaster and Giles made his debut for United in top level football in 1959. Oddly enough, they lost 5-1 to Spurs that day – the same scoreline that United defeated Leeds by in this season’s EPL opener.
Giles made 99 appearances for Manchester United, netting 10 goals. He’d go on to win the 1963 FA Cup with United but that summer, Giles transferred to Leeds United.
Midfielder Giles earned 59 caps for the Republic of Ireland between 1959-79, scoring five goals and serving as manager of his country’s side from 1973-80, chiefly as a player-manager over that span of time.
Likes United’s Moves
Giles wasn’t entirely critical of the hype surrounding his old club. He believes Manchester United made some wise additions during the transfer window in adding England international winger Jadon Sancho and French international centre-back Raphael Varane.
“I think they’ve got a good squad of players,” Giles said. “Now Solskjaer has to do his stuff and be the manager. Make sure they’re committed to it, week in and week out, match in and match out.
“There were okay signs last year but it’s what you’d expect of United.” United finished second in the Premier League and lost to Atletico Bilbao in the Europa League final.
“They’ve spent a lot of money now and I think the pressure is on Solskjaer. It’s up to the manager now it really is,” Giles added.
With the talent currently at his disposal, Giles believes the focus now falls entirely on the shoulders of Solskjaer. He’s the one who must puzzle the pieces together into a successful side that can win United’s first Premier League title since 2012-13.
“He’s bought a lot of players, a lot of good players,” Giles said. “We know that. He’s got to manage them now and get them to where they want to be, which is winning trophies.”
