For Manchester United captain Ryan Giggs, he believe the current team exudes the same breathe that was in 1999. Giggs, who in the past week has helped Manchester United gain their 17^th league title will again find his experience come in handy in the club’s biggest game yet, the UEFA Champions League final against Chelsea in Moscow.

The stage is different this time around with a new breed of players but Giggs insists that the sentiments are similar and so are the vibes. He said “There are similarities to 1999. The team spirit is the same and there is a good balance within the squad. The enthusiasm the young players have shown this season is great for the older ones like me and Paul Scholes, while we give experience to the younger ones. We had a great squad in 1999, which the manager used throughout the season. It is the same again this year. It is about the squad, not 11 players, just as it was then, so there are similarities.”

If statistics are anything to go by, back in 1999, Man Utd had to win games against Juventus, Inter Milan and Barcelona before getting in the final against Bayern Munich, which they won with 2 great comeback goals. This time, they have clashes against Roma, Barcelona and Lyon before heading to the finals.

Giggs added that “It was tough to win it then but it is equally so now. You have to be physically and mentally strong all the way through and retain your consistency. If you get to the final you deserve it.”

Even with the win that Chelsea got over United in their league game, Giggs still firmly believe his team hold the advantage over the Premiership second holders. In that game, he said that “We did really well in the second half. I would like to think we came out of that quite positively. I am not picking the manager's team but Paul deserves to play because he is a great player. He can do things other players cannot do and his recent form has been brilliant. Obviously his disappointment in 1999, after being such a big part of that season as well, was massive. He has another chance now.” He said of another old stager Paul Scholes.