Raul tips Giggs to shine

Real Madrid striker Raul believes Ryan Giggs could be Manchester United`s trump card for Tuesday`s Champions League quarter-final showdown between the clubs.

The clubs boast between them many of football`s biggest names with Ronaldo, Zinedine Zidane and Luis Figo on the payroll in Madrid, while the likes of David Beckham, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Fabien Barthez star for United.

But Raul, who has figured in three of Real`s nine Champions League/European Cup successes, believes Giggs could be the secret weapon even though the Wales international has been criticised by some United fans this season.

"Like all Real Madrid players, I like all the Manchester team, but if I had to choose one it would be Ryan Giggs," said Raul at the Ciudad Sportiva training camp.

"He can open up the game because he is very fast and very direct. Also, van Nistelrooy is always dangerous."

Raul said he does not expect United to stay in their shells at the Bernabeu, predicting: "I expect Manchester United will attack. Beckham, Giggs and van Nistelrooy always look to score goals and want to spend as long as possible in their opponents` half."