Ryan calls for repeat display

United will take a slender advantage to the Emirates on Tuesday night, but Ryan Giggs says the Reds have no intention of merely sitting back and preserving the lead.

Instead, he says, United need to stick to the principles of attacking football that have served the team so well in recent years.

“We have to go down to London and play like we did in the first game [last Wednesday],” he said. “We’ll have no problems then.”

At the halfway point in the two-legged Champions League semi-final tie, the Reds lead 1-0 courtesy of John O’Shea’s early strike at Old Trafford. A United goal on Tuesday night would mean Arsenal would have to score three times to progress.

And Giggs has hinted the Reds might chase that valuable away goal.

“We’re in a good position but we’re under no illusions. Arsenal are a top team and they’re capable of scoring goals.

“We’ll have to look after their match-winners – Fabregas, Adebayor, van Persie if he’s fit, Walcott – but you also have to stamp your own authority on the game because we’ve got match-winners as well.

“[At Old Trafford] we went out with the intention of getting the crowd going and playing at a quick tempo. We’re at our best when we play with a quick tempo so that’s what we tried to do.

“Like I said, if we play to the ability we did last week then we’ll have no problems.”

Giggs made his 800th appearance for the Reds in the first leg when he came on as a substitute and would love to add to that tally at the Emirates. The most experienced player to ever pull on a United shirt, Giggs would provide Sir Alex with vital composure in the centre of the park.

But, the 35-year-old concedes, not everybody can play every game at this stage of the season.

“It doesn’t matter who the manager picks,” Giggs says. “Everyone’s playing well and in good form. You can’t be involved in every game but when you do come in you have to make your mark.”

Ryan Giggs was speaking to ManUtd.com, BBC Radio, Key 103 and Press Association.