Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has expressed his disappointment at the loss of Ryan Giggs from a vital Premiership clash at West Ham on November 17. Instead of appearing for the Red Devils at Upton Park, Giggs will be with the Welsh squad ahead of their European Championship qualifier in Azerbaijan. With his team looking to consolidate their position following successive wins over Finland and Italy, Wales manager Mark Hughes has decided to invoke the FIFA recognised four-day rule, forcing club bosses to release their players ahead of any international.
The problem does not just affect Manchester United. Birmingham boss Steve Bruce has already argued against the move, which will cost him influential midfielder Robbie Savage for the home game with Fulham. However, Ferguson, who will already be missing injured duo Roy Keane and Nicky Butt for the capital trip, has questioned Wales' decision to schedule the match in November, when they only played one international during the October break.
And the thaw in relations between club and country which has seen Giggs turn out in friendly matches for Wales under Hughes, now looks to be at an end. Speaking to Sky Sports News this evening, Ferguson admitted: "There was an opportunity for Wales to have played at the same time as everyone else. That is where the frustration comes in because in the long run I don't think this will help Wales."
Filed by Shane Murray
