Ryan Giggs’ son watches U21s’ clash vs Real Madrid as Westlife star joins Carrick’s squad in training

RYAN GIGGS’ son watched on as Manchester United’s Under 21 side were dumped out of the Premier League International Cup by Real Madrid.

Zachary Giggs was with a group of friends in the hospitality area at Old Trafford as United lost 4-2 after extra-time.

Giggs Jr, 19, plays for Sheffield United’s academy side and recently featured for Wales’ Under-19s.

He is close friends with Darren Fletcher’s twins Jack and Tyler, who both started the match on Tuesday evening.

United left-back Harry Amass, whose injury saw him return to Carrington shortly into his six-month loan at Norwich, was also supporting Adam Lawrence’s side.

Diego Leon, who has played in 18 matches for the U21s this season, was sitting in the stands carrying a knock.

Sekou Kone was a surprise face in crowd, but SunSport understands there are no issues with his current loan Ineos-owned Swiss club Lausanne-Sport.

Under 18s star Bassirou Nkoto, who has been out of action this season, also took time to pose for pictures for fans.

Packing 5,933 fans into the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand, one of the season’s largest youth crowds was kept highly entertained by a vocal group of 10-year-old “ultras” in the front row.

Tuned in

United’s first team coaches could not make the U21 match as they were overseeing the training camp in Ireland, but they did tune into MUTV’s coverage.

They also had the enthralling Real Madrid-Bayern Munich Champions League quarter-final on another screen.

The United staff did also have Arsenal’s 1-0 win against Sporting on. Unlike most, United do not find Arsenal to be a turn-off.

Main connection

Travis Binnion and Kobbie Mainoo go a long way back at United. Binnion was Mainoo’s coach when United’s Under 18s won the FA Youth Cup in 2022.

Their warm rapport was apparent during United’s open training session at Carton House on Tuesday. Mainoo had a heavy first touch at the start of the opening drill.

“Tackle, Kob,” Binnion chuckled. Mainoo’s next two touches were impeccable.

There were wingers on either side of the microphones for United’s Ireland press conference in midweek.

Flying wingers

Amad and Bryan Mbeumo addressed the media while Nicky Byrne of Westlife fame was also in the room.

The ‘I’m Flying Without Wings’ singer caught up with Jonathan Woodgate at United’s training camp ahead of their match against Leeds United on Monday.

Byrne and Woodgate were teammates in the Leeds academy in the Nineties.

One young United staff member was unaware of this fact. 

“I just thought Woody liked Westlife,” they laughed.

Youth files

Putting in another stellar shift, Godwill Kukonki was a bright spot this week despite United U21s losing to Madrid Castilla.

Kukonki, who typically profiles as a centre-half, started at left-back – where he has been shining for the Under 18s this season.

The 18-year-old was physically dominant against the Spaniards, carrying the ball down the left side and holding off defenders.

At 6ft 5 Kukonki’s athleticism was on show, as was his technical ability while driving with the ball.  

United put Kukonki at left-back to aid his on ball development this term.

He is set to go on United’s pre-season tour in the summer and has been strong enough to earn himself a loan next season.

Turn on the Heat

Tom Heaton, 39, linked up with the United squad and was able to participate in their training sessions on Wednesday and Thursday.

The third-choice goalkeeper was unwell over the weekend and did not fly with the squad to Dublin on Monday.

Heaton also managed to arrive in time for United players’ round of golf on Tuesday afternoon.

Some opted to play golf at the resort, while others enjoyed some clay pigeon shooting and the spa.

Amorim update

Former United head coach Ruben Amorim is not prioritising an instant return to management, SunSport understands.

Sources close to Amorim’s camp say the 41-year-old is enjoying time with his family, following a recent trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Amorim is in “no rush” to decide with many coaching positions set to become available in the summer.

Last month, he played padel with Man City’s director of football Hugo Viana, who was a teammate of his at Braga and hired him to manage Sporting in 2020.

Amorim apparently still watches United games when he can.

Tour update

United are planning to fly in and out of the European cities they are playing in for their pre-season tour games in.

A training camp away from their Carrington base will be organised for the back-end of pre-season so that most of the World Cup participants can link up with their teammates.

Carton House could provide that base, given the scheduled friendly with Leeds at Croke Park on August 12.

United confirmed a slate of new destinations, including Warsaw, Helsinki, Gothenburg and Trondheim.

The provisional plan is for their squads to fly out the evening before the games for one-night stays.

Not too Shaw

United did receive an offer from promoters in Asia to return to that continent for their tour.

A return to the United States was off the cards in a World Cup year and, as lucrative as Asia tours can be, United decided against it when they are certain to have a depleted squad for most of their pre-season schedule.

Luke Shaw, Matthijs de Ligt, Patrick Dorgu, Mason Mount, Bryan Mbeumo, Joshua Zirkzee and Benjamin Sesko are the high-profile internationals who will almost certainly not be at the World Cup.

Shaw missed out on an England squad recall last month, De Ligt has been sidelined for more than four months with a back injury and Mount last played for the Three Lions in the 2022 World Cup quarter-final.

Zirkzee has not made a Dutch squad all season while Denmark, Cameroon and Slovenia failed to qualify for the finals.