Giggs: We never panicked

Ryan Giggs says the secret to the Reds turning round a slow start to the season was simple: don’t panic.

United resume league duties on Saturday with a trip to St Andrews to take on Birmingham City. Sir Alex Ferguson’s side go into the match on the back of five straight wins (excluding last night’s defeat to Coventry City).

But hasn’t always been so rosy for the Reds. United opened the defence of the title with draws against Reading and Portsmouth followed by defeat to Manchester City, which had alarm bells ringing.

Giggs insists the players, Sir Alex and his team of coaches, never panicked. "Outside the club there might have been a little bit of a panic after those first few matches but there was none inside," Giggs told PA.

"When you look at how experienced the manager is, and also some of the players I suppose, you knew we were capable of going on a decent run, which is what has happened. The performances were actually quite good in our first three games, it was only the results that weren't going for us.

"I guess the irony is that up until the Chelsea game, we had not played as well in the matches we have won as we did, certainly against Manchester City, when we created an unbelievable amount of chances but still lost."

Although Sunday’s win over Chelsea marked the first time United have scored more than one goal in a game this season. But, the Reds’ performances have been built on solid defensive foundations. "Everyone knows the main reason for our recent results is the way we have defended," he said. "At times, we have not played well but we have been resilient and with more positive results comes confidence and form.”