08 October 2004
Steve McClaren exclusive

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Speaking to TheFA.com's Dan Freedman, the former United coach, who knows plenty about Ryan Giggs, one of Wales' main threats, says the head-to-head between the winger and his club mate Gary Neville will be one to savour come 3 o'clock.

"Ryan is a great professional. He has great ability and always wants to improve," says McClaren

"It will be one of the individual battles when he comes up against his team-mate Gary Neville.

"Gary has been telling us all about Ryan Giggs and how to cope with him. We have the inside knowledge of the Welsh team because we play against them week in week out."

But England have their own talented players, with youth and experienced, who will be looking to cause Wales concern in Manchester.

"This is one of the reasons why I enjoy working with England. You're working with a fantastic group of players.

"You have experienced ones who are still to peak and you have youngsters underneath who are really pushing the seniors for a place," explains McClaren.

"It's a fantastic atmosphere and when you have players like Rooney and Defoe that you can call on, it's magnificent."

"It's billed as a Premier League match, it's going to be hectic, a local derby. You have to compete and you have to get the ball down and we'll have to make sure we keep control."