Man Utd legend Ryan Giggs prepared for red-hot reception at Vincent Kompany’s Man City testimonial

RYAN GIGGS is braced for a red-hot Etihad reception when the Class of 92 play in Vincent Kompany's testimonial tonight.

Manchester United legend Giggsy will star alongside Gary and Phil Neville, Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes to honour the ex-City skipper.

Almost 50,000 tickets have been sold as City fans bid an emotional farewell to Kompany, who joined Anderlecht this summer as player-boss.

Giggs will star for a Prem All-Stars XI against a Manchester City legends side in aid of homeless charity Tackle4McR.

And the Wales manager, 45, reckons his United pals will get a rough ride from their noisy neighbours, especially with tough-tackling Scholes around.

Giggs said: “I don’t expect a warm welcome — I’ve never had a warm welcome at the Etihad so I don’t expect anything different.

“I was delighted when Vincent asked us to play. Even though he played for City, I think he’s been a brilliant player and he’s done a lot for Manchester as well away from football.

“He loves the city, it’s for a good cause and he’s raising lots of money. It’s well deserved.

“It will be interesting, competitive and hopefully a decent game. It will be a nice friendly — but Scholesy is involved so probably not!”

Belgian defender Kompany, 33, won four Prem titles in 11 glittering years at City before returning to boyhood club Anderlecht.

Former Red Devils stars Michael Carrick, Robin van Persie, Edwin van der Sar, Wes Brown and John O’Shea will be involved, too.

Prem legends Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabregas are also due to feature.

And Kompany’s side is expected to include City superstars Sergio Aguero and David Silva, as well as heroes from the past — Joe Hart, Pablo Zabaleta, Joleon Lescott and Mario Balotelli.

'WE WANT TO WIN'

But Giggs insists his old pals will be looking to spoil Kompany's special night with a victory.

Giggs added: “We want to win. They have a slightly bigger squad than us so there maybe a few lads hanging on at the end.

“They will be younger so I hope it’s not 45 minutes each way!”

Asked when he last played with the Class of 92, Giggs said: “We play five-a-side on the Hotel Football roof. We play auction winners and Salford City youth team now and again. We’re unbeaten.”

Giggs, buoyed by two wins with Wales against Azerbaijan and Belarus, is a rookie boss like Kompany.

And he said: “We’ll have a chat if we get a chance.

“He’s found playing and coaching a little bit difficult. He’s given Simon Davies the role for match day.
“I’ve known Simon since I was 11 and he’s a great lad.”

Giggs watched current United star Dan James grab Wales’ winner with a wonder strike in Monday’s 1-0 friendly victory over Belarus.

James, 21, was whisked straight back to Manchester after the final whistle in Cardiff as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side prepare to host Leicester on Saturday.