Ryan Giggs breaks silence on new job as Man Utd legend set for Man City reunion

Ryan Giggs has called on Salford City to keep their focus on their League Two promotion bid despite their huge FA Cup clash with Manchester City this weekend.

Giggs, along with fellow Class of 92 members Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, David Beckham and Phil Neville, has owned Salford since March 2014. In that time, the Ammies have risen from the Northern Premier League Division One North into the EFL.

The Welshman has taken on an increasingly hands-on role over the past 18 months. Last March it was revealed that Giggs had been appointed as the club's new sporting director.

In that role, he has helped Salford mount a promotion push this season, with Karl Robinson's side sitting third in League Two. Giggs has rarely spoken since taking on his new job, but has now broken his silence ahead of the mouthwatering clash with Pep Guardiola's men.

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"I think when the draw was made, it was brilliant for the club. We're facing such a big club and what City have done in the last few years, and for the players playing at a Premier League stadium, it's exciting." Giggs told the Manchester Evening News.

"And I think then you sort of park it, concentrate on the league, which we've done really well. We're going into the game in good form and obviously third in the table. We couldn't be going into the game in better form really."

"I think credit to Karl, Karl's handled the situation brilliantly," said Giggs. "I think he recognised, Karl's had experience of playing big teams in his career and he's made sure that it's exciting, great to look forward to, but first and foremost to concentrate on our league form and Karl and the players have done that brilliantly."

Giggs has been a regular fixture in the Salford dugout in recent months. He stepped in to provide support to boss Robinson while first-team coach Alex Bruce was given a leave of absence.

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Image: James Baylis - AMA/Getty Images) James Baylis - AMA/Getty Images)

While Salford have been flying in the fourth tier, winning their last six games without conceding a goal, Saturday's trip to the Etihad could be difficult. Former Premier League title winner Chris Sutton has warned the Class of 92 that their club faces a tricky evening.

"Salford are doing quite well in League Two, where they have won six games on the spin, and there is a nice edge to this this game with their owners being Manchester United legends," he told BBC Sport.

"I don't see any surprises here, though. Manchester City have won their past two games and Pep Guardiola will want to continue to slowly build some more momentum following their dreadful form towards the end of the year.

"Pep always fields strong teams in the FA Cup and Saturday will be no different. He has given Jack Grealish a bit of a kick up the backside this week, so we might see a response from him."

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