Ryan Giggs to make rare public appearance in charity match to support Marcus Stewart’s MND fight

Ryan Giggs is to line up alongside his fellow Class of ’92 members Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt in a charity match for motor neurone disease fighter Marcus Stewart.

The Manchester United legends – who won the Treble together in 1999 – have agreed to take part in the game on May 13 at Bristol Rovers’ Memorial Stadium.

It will be a rare public appearance from Giggs, who has kept a low profile since stepping away from his duties as Wales boss in April 2021 over allegations he assaulted his ex-girlfriend, a case which is going to a retrial in July after jurors failed to reach a verdict last year.

Stewart and his wife Louise have organised the charity match to raise funds for the MND Association and the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation, which was founded by former Bradford defender Stephen Darby and British Forces veteran Chris Rimmer, who both have MND.

Former striker Stewart was diagnosed with MND last year and told Sportsmail of his fight for the first time in an emotional interview earlier this week.

Ryan Giggs (centre) will reunite with former Manchester United stars Nicky Butt (left) and Paul Scholes (right) for a charity match for former Ipswich striker Marcus Stewart, who has MND

The game is in aid of Stewart (above), who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease last year

The 50-year-old began his career at Bristol Rovers, before moving to Huddersfield and then Ipswich, who he helped finish fifth in the Premier League in the 2000-01 season with 19 goals.

Stewart later played for Sunderland, Bristol City, Yeovil – where he currently works as head of player development – and Exeter.

The match in May will see a South West Legends side take on an All Star XI, with ex-Bristol Rovers managers Darrell Clarke and Paul Tisdale taking charge of the respective sides.

Jill Scott, who won the Women’s Euros last summer with the Lionesses, is also booked to play.

‘There will be fans who want to see people they’ve never seen play in their life,’ said Stewart at a launch event at the Memorial Stadium on Wednesday.

‘Their dads might have told them about Ryan Giggs or Paul Scholes, but they won’t know who they are. This is a football celebration and we are going to raise some money for a good cause.’

Tickets for the charity match are available here. 

Marcus Stewart enjoyed a successful spell with Ipswich during the 2000s and helped them to fifth place in the Premier League