Manchester United star Ryan Giggs has admitted his concern that
the exertions of the Fifa Club World Cup, including the extensive
travel time, will have a detrimental effect on their Premier League
title defence.
The veteran Welsh winger confessed that jet-lag has been issue for
him and some of his team-mates which could be twice as bad an issue
when they return from Japan to take on Stoke on Boxing Day.
"I hope it won't have a knock-on effect to our title defence,"
Giggs was quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.
"We don't know how it will affect us next Friday. It has been quite
difficult over here. I have not slept much, four or five hours
sleep a night really.
"You just have to prepare the best you can. It is a bit of a
problem. Overall the team looked fit and sharp," he was keen to
stress.
"We have a squad big enough to handle the games over the Christmas
period and we just hope come that game against Stoke we have got
over the jet -lag."
United beat Gamba Osaka 5-3 in a thrilling semi-final in midweek,
setting the stage for Sunday's final against Ecuadorian outfit Liga
de Quito.