Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/304008
23 Sport maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 30 APRIL 2014 Answers to the MaltaToday crossword will be published next Wednesday WEATHER: Mainly fine becoming partly cloudy VISIBILITY: Generally good WIND: West Northwest force 4 to 5 locally force 5 to 6 at first, decreasing during the day and becoming mainly Southwest force 3 to 4 locally force 2 to 3 overnight. Sea: Moderate becoming slight to moderate A B C D E F G H 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 White to play and mate in four moves A B C D E F G H 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Last week's solution Sudoku rules are extremely easy: Fill all empty squares so that the numbers 1 to 9 appear once in each row, column and 9x9 box. PARTLY CLOUDY 22 º C / 13 º C UV INDEX: 6 Today's Weather Chess Sudoku Pursuits Rxf5 Kg7 d8=Q Kg6 Qxf6+ Kh7 Rh5+ Kg8 Qh8# (Rh8#) OPINION Across 1. Absent (7) 5. Solidifying (7) 9. Rank (3) 10. In what place (5) 11. Similar (5) 12. Monetary unit of Japan (3) 13. In some degree (6) 16. Pot (6) 19. Principal (4) 21. Flightless bird (4) 23. Social standing (4) 24. Employed to drive a car (9) 25. Knave (4) 26. To the inside of (4) 27. Immediately following (4) 28. Hate (6) 31. Brandy distilled from cherries (6) 35. Central part of a wheel (3) 37. Newly married woman (5) 38. Mistake (5) 39. Colour (3) 40. Lattice (7) 41. Neuter (7) Down 1. State of confusion (3-2) 2. Effluent system (5) 3. Standard of perfection (5) 4. Dull colour (4) 5. Stately aquatic bird (4) 6. Clan (5) 7. Inactive (5) 8. Stare angrily (5) 14. Shake (7) 15. Dribble (7) 16. Leg joints (5) 17. Small dog (7) 18. Insane person (7) 20. Attach (5) 22. Lacking brightness (5) 28. Did not (5) 29. Article of furniture (5) 30. Dexterity (5) 32. Scottish stadium (5) 33. Rush (5) 34. Clock pointers (5) 35. Possessive pronoun (4) 36. Places to sleep (4) THIS is a story with a fairy tale end- ing. Who would have thought way back on the 2 March, 1991 that when we saw that floppy-haired winger make his league debut against Ever- ton we would be witnessing the future manager of Manchester United in ac- tion for his first time. At the age of 40, Ryan Giggs still con- sistently rolls back the years and gives sterling performances for his club. The most decorated player in the Premier League has made 962 appearances for his club and last weekend made his- tory as he made his managerial debut against Norwich City. A new debut for the Welshman, who may have been wading in new waters, but he took to them like a fish to the water. Fitted in his slick black suit and fancy Fergie-style watch, no one was as proud on his day as the man him- self who joked before hand that as manager he would sign himself a new five year deal as a player. He replaced the departed David Moyes as interim manager until a suitable replacement is found, but if last weekend's per- formance is anything to go by, no re- placement is needed. Ryan Giggs literally gave Manches- ter United back to its fans as they wit- nessed the performance of the season, one with the most possession and most attempts on goal. The difference was simple. In his first conference he demanded that the failing players de- livered. He wanted them to fly into tackles, take people on and score goals. Three things David Moyes' teams failed to do. He also won his fans over by saying that the players will play the Manchester United way – the only way he himself knows how to play. Rewind the clock back to March when David Moyes infamously told the me- dia that United must aspire to play like Manchester City. While Moyes' nega- tivity forced him to use words like "try to win the game" Ryan Giggs fired up the their bellies by stating that "we are Manchester United and we are ex- pected to win". It was a day that no United fan will ever forget: a childhood hero fulfill- ing the ultimate dream, managing his own club. Looking at him pace the touchline I would have to say that it fits and looks right. No one understands United like Giggs, having experienced everything there is to offer at club level as a player. He was forged by the master himself and truth be told the only way for Ferguson's philosophy to continue would be to employ his most capped star. Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt were also brought in to help Giggsy and the class of '92 seems to be re uniting in management. I would not be surprised if Gary Neville takes his nasal voice off Sky Sports to become the next first team coach along side his former colleagues. Many will argue that Giggs may lack the experience necessary to manage a huge club, however I feel his leader- ship skills and knowledge of the club are deep enough. We did after all see a similar pattern at Barcelona when Pep Guardiola stepped in following a long career at his club. Old Trafford last Saturday was rock- ing and truth be told the fans deserved a performance from their team fol- lowing the 11 league defeats under David Moyes. With a huge transfer budget stashed away for the summer who ever the next manager might be will have a level of creative freedom and with Toni Kroos' and Marco Reus' agent seated near Sir Alex at Old Traf- ford we can already predict some ar- rivals. No Van Gaal deal Reports are circulating about the ghost deal signed by Luis van Gaal who is due to leave the Dutch national team after the World Cup to join a Pre- mier League team. With such a huge vacancy at United the link is an obvi- ous one but thankfully as yet no offi- cial club statements have been made. In my eyes it is time for United to stick with somebody who knows what be- ing a Manchester United player is all about. The players are all behind Ryan Giggs and many of the fans will never say no to their hero. Giggs achieved legendary status at the club and even if he doesn't quite make it as a manager no failure will be bigger than that of David Moyes. I believe it is time for a new hero at Old Trafford and the fans are dying for it to be one of their very own. It's a story with a happy end- ing and seeing him become full time manager would be the only good thing about David Moyes' reign. Aside from a hero status in Liverpool it seems he might leave Manchester with some credit after all. Mark Strijbosch Cometh the hour, cometh the man Ryan Giggs