Ryan Giggs is a phenomenal professional footballer who has been a credit to the Premier League on the pitch.
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It’s an incredible achievement that he is still playing at the top of his game in the top flight at 40 years of age.
And I can’t see any reason why he can’t land himself another year’s contract at Manchester United.
Look at the way he ran the show at Bayer Leverkusen in midweek as United recorded their biggest away win (5-0) in the Champions League.
I played against Giggsy quite a few times in the mid-90’s and I can remember him then having trouble with his hamstrings.
But he’s managed to manage his body very well. He’s had the right treatment and has looked after himself over the years.
There’s not an ounce of fat on him. He just looks so fit – it’s a freak of nature I would call it.
He came into the game as a young flying winger who could catch pigeons on the wing and just glide past full-backs.
And as he’s got older he’s been able to develop his game accordingly and is comfortable now playing in the middle of midfield.
The fact that he’s been able to change his game as the years have gone on has allowed him to continue for so long.
His versatility has been one of the keys to his longevity.
My one abiding memory of Giggsy came at Old Trafford in the first ever FA Cup penalty shoot-out against Southampton – but it’s one memory I’m sure he’d rather forget.
Our manager Ian Branfoot wanted me to lead off with the first one but I told him “No, I don’t think so – I want to score the winning penalty so put me at the back of the line.”
I recall Giggsy juggling the ball as he walked up to the spot looking very confident but he bashed the ball straight at our goalkeeper Tim Flowers.
He had missed the crucial spot-kick and Southampton went through and I didn’t get to take the winner which disappointed me but serves me right.
And to think he’s still playing most weeks with 40 major honours to his name including 13 Premier League, two Champions League, four FA Cup and four League Cup titles!
I wonder if he wouldn’t mind lending me one or two to put in my trophy cabinet which looks a little bit empty by comparison.
I’m not 100 per cent sure but he must be the most decorated player in top flight history.
I think Liverpool’s Phil Neal was up there for quite some time but Giggsy has overtaken him.
It’s going to become rarer and rarer that a player stays so loyal to one team.
Obviously it’s a bit easier if you play for a club that wins 13 out of 21 Premier League competitions with the kind of money on offer these days.
But what Ryan Giggs has done is quite remarkable and long may he continue to play.
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This photograph was provided by Goalden Goals.
