United Boys Back With A Bang !!

The hard work has already begun for the United
squad after they reported back for pre-season
training on Wednesday.

Ryan Giggs joined up with his team-mates - minus
the Euro 2008 contingent - back at Carrington for
the start of a rigorous regime ahead of the 2008
/09 campaign.

The Welshman enjoyed a six-week rest after last
season's triumphant exploits, including a relaxing
break with his family in Portugal. But he admits
that's soon forgotten once the squad's punishing
pre-season schedule begins.

"Obviously last season ended brilliantly for the
team and for myself, and it’s good to be back, but
I’m not really looking forward to pre-season training,
" he told ManUtd.com.

"Wednesday was just testing to see where your fit-
ness is at. Thursday is another treadmill fitness test
which will be quite hard, and that will start to build
things up. I’m not really looking forward to it.

But you’ve just got to get through it haven’t you?

"Long distance running gets easier as you get older,
I think, it’s just the quicker stuff that is quite hard.
But you’ve done it all before and just use your
experience to get through it."

The Reds have a hectic schedule of matches over
the coming few weeks. A United XI will travel to
Aberdeen on 12 July, before the first team squad
head to South Africa for the Vodacom Challenge.

The trip will encompass three matches against
local sides Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates
(United will play one of them twice).

On their way home to Manchester, the squad will
stop off in Nigeria on 27 July where they will face
Harry Redknapp's Portsmouth, whom they will
also be up against at Wembley in the Community
Shield on 10 August.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's testimonial clash with
Espanyol at Old Trafford takes place on 2 August
and that will be followed by two more friendlies -
first up a trip to London Road to take on Sir Alex's
son Darren and his Peterborough side. The Reds
then entertain Juventus at OT on 6 August.

Blogged with the Flock Browser