United Potential Excites Giggs

Ryan Giggs is hoping Manchester United's impressive crop of talented youngsters will flourish in 2010/11.

The Red Devils enter the new season looking to reclaim the Premier League title they surrendered to Chelsea last term.

Sir Alex Ferguson will also be looking to lay the foundations for future success, with the average age of the United squad continuing to tumble.

That is good news for a club with long-term ambitions, as those forcing their way into the fold now are expected to be around for many years to come.

The likes of Chris Smalling and Javier Hernandez have been drafted in this summer to help provide added options at either end of the field, while the potential of Nani, Antonio Valencia, Jonny Evans and Brazilian twins Rafael and Fabio continues to excite.

Veteran midfielder Giggs agrees that the future at Old Trafford looks to be bright, but the Welshman is also convinced that Fergie's fledglings can make a major impact in United's quest for glory this season.

"Last season we saw a lot of the young players featuring in the first team," said Giggs.

"Nani had a good season, Antonio had a fantastic debut campaign, Kiko Macheda had a frustrating season with injuries and now Chris Smalling has come into the squad.

"Hopefully their determination and hunger will see them kick on this season and do even better, because we're going to need them," he added.

"The injuries we had in defence last season were unbelievable. We've strengthened with the arrival of Chris, and hopefully Rafael and Fabio can get through the season without the niggly injuries they've had.

"Hopefully these young players will get better and better, and I'm sure they will. They're exciting and they want to do well, which is great. I see their determination on the training ground.

"They want to do well, they're good lads. They want to learn, they want to play for United, get in the team and stay in. That's what we were like when we were younger and I see the same desire in these young players."

Giggs, who already has 11 Premier League titles to his name, admits everyone connected with United is desperate to snatch the top flight crown back from Stamford Bridge this season.

"I'm excited and looking forward to the new season," he said. "There is that added hunger when you haven't won the league the previous season.

"It's difficult when you're defending the title because you're champions and everyone wants to beat you. But there's also that determination when you don't win it to get it back, and having not won it last year, we're desperate to win it back."