Give Carra a break.. he deserves patience.

Byline: Brian Reade

AFTER a 2-2 draw at Middlesbrough 18 months ago, MUTV was inundated with callers venting their spleen at Ryan Giggs.

His crime was missing a sitter which could have snatched a late victory. His punishment was demands to be pensioned off.

Giggs may have helped United lift 24 trophies in 17 years, and his form may temporarily have deserted him, but some fans lost patience and wanted him binned.

Fast forward a month, to May 2008, and Giggs scores the goal that wins the title.

His 10th. Fast forward again, to last weekend, and he creates the goal that wins United's greatest derby.

I don't mention this to embarrass the buffoons who called for Giggs' head but to warn the Liverpool ones who are turning on Jamie Carragher in similar style.

He hasn't had a great start to the season, but he's only one part of a kamikaze backline where full-backs are caught out of position, other centre-backs look zombified, Xavi Alonso's shield has gone, and the team as a whole has forgotten how to defend set-pieces.

For some fans to pin all of the blame on Carragher and use it as evidence that he's past it, is laughable.

Where's your loyalty to a man who's bled for your side for 13 years? Where's your brain? Carragher is 31, may not be as quick as he was, but his fitness, commitment, organisational and leadership skills are as strong as ever.

One-team legends like Giggs and Carragher have earned the benefit of the doubt.

Instead of fans spouting snide words on phone-ins and forums, they should have a word with themselves.

CAPTION(S):

LOYAL Jamie