Form is temporary, and class is permanent. When the two collide, it's a special blend...
Slaloming through the midfield minefield rather than scorching the touchline turf, a re-invented Ryan Giggs played a major role in United’s success in 2008/09. His displays oozed the class and craft honed by 18 years at the top and earned him the PFA Player of the Year award.
From start to finish: It’s little surprise Sir Alex carefully considered his use of English football’s most decorated son, given that Giggsy's in his mid-30s. But it says much for Giggs’ enduring importance that he featured in some of the biggest games. The Welshman lined up against Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal for the umpteenth times, and was consistently influential, playing a big role in his, and United's, 11th Premier League title.
In position: Sir Alex re-purposed Giggs in centre midfield or a roaming role behind a lone striker. With his knowledge of exploiting space, and fitness levels befitting of one half his age, Ryan was a revelation.
Season highlight: The Welshman was magnificent in January’s win over Chelsea at OT. Handed a surprise start alongside Darren Fletcher, Giggs and his younger peer ran rings around the Blues’ midfield trio, Michael Ballack, John Obi Mikel and Frank Lampard, laying the foundations for a resounding 3-0 win.
Vital contribution: At West Ham in February, he was only back on the wing because of corner-taking duties but, when Paul Scholes drilled a crossfield pass his way, Ryan reverted to type by out-foxing two defenders, making his way into the box and drilling home a vital winner in one of the season's toughest away games... right-footed, no less.
Any lows: Nitpicking perhaps, but Ryan won’t have enjoyed being dispossessed by Javier Mascherano for Liverpool’s winner at Anfield. But hey, he’s still well in credit!
Any other business: The club appearances record goes on with Giggsy passing the 800 mark against Arsenal in April. With his contract extended, who knows how far he can go?
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Legends Profile
Ryan Giggs
Born:29 Nov 1973
Signed:09 Jul 1990
Debut:02 Mar 1991 v Everton (H) League
Goals Total:148
Appearances Total:805
Position:Midfielder
Ryan Giggs has made more appearances and won more honours than any other United player in the club's illustrious history.
He surpassed Sir Bobby Charlton's previous record (of 758 matches) on the night he helped the Reds secure a third European Cup triumph - the second of his career - in Moscow on 21 May 2008.
United's most decorated player might never have graced Old Trafford, however, had it not been for Sir Alex Ferguson’s intervention. Cardiff-born Giggs was attending Manchester City's School of Excellence in his early teens, but Sir Alex made a personal visit to his house on
his 14th birthday and Ryan jumped at the chance to sign for his boyhood favourites.
Ryan turned professional at United in November 1990 and made his league debut in the old Division One against Everton at Old Trafford on 2 March 1991 as a substitute for Denis Irwin. His first league start in 1991/92 also proved a memorable occasion, as he also scored his first ever United goal that day (albeit via a huge deflection off Colin Hendry) in a 1-0 win over Manchester City.
Giggs' first senior trophy arrived in November 1991 as United beat Red Star Belgrade in the European Super Cup final - Giggs was a 71st minute substitute for Lee Martin. The Welshman picked up his second winners' medal of the campaign five months later as the Reds beat Nottingham Forest in the League Cup final. The following season, 1992/93, saw Giggs and United win the inaugural Premier League title.
Ryan was an integral part of two Double-winning sides, in 1993/94 and 1995/96, before going one better in 1998/99 by adding the European Cup to the FA Cup and Premier League trophy. His contributions to the Treble-winning campaign included a superb solo goal to win the FA Cup semi-final replay against Arsenal at Villa Park, commonly regarded
as one of United's greatest goals of all time.
Ryan celebrated 10 years at Old Trafford with a testimonial match against Celtic in 2001/02. A year later he bagged his 100th career goal in the 2-2 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and became only the second-ever player to play 700 games for United when he helped the Reds to a dramatic 1-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield in March 2007. Two months later, he became a league title winner for the ninth time, beating the record of eight championship medals held by Liverpool legends Phil Neal and Alan Hansen.
In the interests of prolonging his club career at the highest level, Ryan retired from international football with Wales in June 2007 after 64 games and 12 goals. In October 2007, he extended his United contract to June 2009.
December 2007 brought two landmark achievements - Ryan was awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire) for his services to football and he scored his 100th league career goal in the 4-0 victory over Derby County at Old Trafford.
Ryan crowned the epic 2007/08 season, his 18th in United's first team, by scoring the Reds' second goal in the final day league win at Wigan and slotting home what proved to be
the decisive penalty in the Champions League final shoot-out in Moscow.
Giggs' career continued with a flourish during 2008/09 as he enjoyed a new role in the United team. Leaving the left flank where he made his name as a flying winger, he adopted a more central position in midfield or just off the main striker. His importance to the cause was recognised yet again in February 2009 when he agreed another one-year extension to keep him at Old Trafford until June 2010. In that same month he became the only player to score in every Premier League season from 1992/93 to 2008/09, when he netted in United's 1-0 win at West Ham.
