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Ryan Giggs: The one-club legend

by Sam K Parks-Kia

"Giggs... gets past Vieira, past Dixon... it's a wonderful run from Giggs! A sensational goal from Ryan Giggs!... Stunned Arsenal fans... He just barbed in, weaved in, kept going... and when he needed a finish... by god he gave his one... what a strike! After beating three, four, five players! Wonderful... wonderful finish to win any football match," commentators Andy Gray and Martin Tyler said during the replay of the FA Cup semifinal between Manchester United and Arsenal at Villa Park, on April 14, 1999.

That spontaneous outburst of excellence complemented with a magical final touch — which was the last-ever goal to be scored in an FA Cup semifinal Replay — re-established Ryan Giggs, who has been redefining class and pushing barriers and limits since the early '90s.

Born Ryan Joseph Wilson to Danny Wilson and Lynne Giggs, the most decorated player of Manchester United turns 36 on November 29 — giving me an excuse to not only celebrate his birthday, but also a remarkable career.

Giggs, who was on the brink of joining United rival Manchester City, had an uninvited guest showing up at his doorstep on his 14th birthday; and that guest was no other than Sir Alex Ferguson, who had personally went there to offer Ryan a deal he could not possibly resist.

Two years after his parents' separation, Ryan changed his last name to Giggs. However, the change came by chance, when just before a foreign tour, it was found that the young star did not have a passport.

In the process of applying for a passport, Ryan decided to go by his mother's last name.

In March 1991, Giggs, sporting the famous number 11 shirt, made his debut as a substitute for Denis Irwin in a 2-0 home defeat to Everton. However, his first league that start in the 1991-92 season proved to be a remarkable one, as he scored his first-ever United goal against City in the Manchester derby.

Little did he know then that he was on track to score in each and every league season that there was to come, marking 19 seasons of scoring non-stop. He is currently the only player, who has scored in every Premiere League season since its inception. For Ryan, the sky was the limit.

Being a humble athlete, Giggs never agreed to talk to the press until he was 20, and refused to live the life of a celebrity.

The Washman embarked on a journey of success, becoming the first player to win the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Young Player of the Year award twice, and the first to win the award in two consecutive seasons — the 1991-92 and 1992-3 seasons.

In the following season, two astonishing strikes against Tottenham Hotspurs and Queens Park Rangers from Ryan Giggs helped United to achieve their first League and FA Cup double.

The "boy wonder," as some used to call him when he first debuted, now holds the record of the best goal-scorer for a non-striker in the English Premier League.

In 1995-96 he achieved another double, the "Double Double," with United, before experiencing the 1999 treble — which marked the first instance of a club winning three trophies, with one being the UEFA Champions League, in a single season.

Needless to say it was Ryan's goal against Arsenal and his assistance to Teddy Sheringham — who scored the equalizer in the Champions League final at Camp Nou in United's last-minute 2-1 victory over Bayern Munich — that made it all possible.

Although he was an indispensible asset to Sir Alex, Giggs' Wales career never really took off. Despite missing most of the international friendlies due to his club's policies, he became a national icon and the captain of his country; however, he never enjoyed the same success with Wales as he did with the Red Devils.

In 2001 Giggs picked up a hamstring injury and for the first season since 1997-98, United went trophyless in 2001-02, with Arsenal taking the domestic double, and Bayer Leverkusen eliminating United in the Champions League semifinal.

Just as Ryan celebrated "10 years at Old Trafford" with a testimonial match against Celtic in 2001-02, critics and even some fans started to question Giggs' form for the first time, disputing his ability to return to his highest level — which as some might put was too high for most players to begin with.

His descent from grace peaked in February 2003, when he missed an open goal against Arsenal in the 5th round of the FA Cup at Old Trafford, where United was defeated 0-2.

Following the incident Giggs proved all his critics wrong, scoring a vital equalizer at Highbury — Arsenal's then home — in the same season to lead his side to the Premier League trophy.

Ten days later, his performance against Juventus at the Stadio Del Alpi was reminiscent of his form in 1999.

"The United number 11 shrugged off mounting criticism from the fans to score a breathtaking goal reminiscent of his classic goal against Arsenal in 1999. Picking up the ball on the halfway line, he weaved through the Juve back four then fired coolly past Buffon with his right foot before pointing to his name on his shirt," The Mirror Football wrote of his performance in United's 3-0 victory against Juventus.

In the 2003-04 season, Giggs was back at his best, with Sir Alex giving him license to play the way he knows best: terrorizing defenders and scoring crucial goals.

In the interests of maintaining 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 contract with United to June 2009 and consequently until the end of the 2009-10 season.

The year 2007 was one of special significance to Giggs, since he was awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire) for his services to football and scored his 100th league career goal in the 4-0 home win over Derby County in December the same year. It was also the year in which he married his long-time beloved Stacey Cooke.

Five months later, Giggs broke Sir Bobby Charlton's record of 758 appearances for United in the UEFA Champions League's final, where he converted a decisive penalty in the shootouts to lift the European trophy for the second time.

During the 2008-09 season Ferguson assigned Giggs to a more central position in the midfield where he is right behind the strikers, where Roy Kean offered most of his contribution during his United career.

To date, Ryan has made 818 appearances for the Reds, scoring 150 goals — 100 of which were in the Premier League. He holds one of the best disciplinary records ever held. Throughout his career as a United player he has never been sent off and has only received 27 yellow cards — that translates into less than 1.5 yellow cards per season.

The Welshman scored his 100th Premier League goal in Manchester United's 4-1 victory over Portsmouth on November 28, a day before celebrating his 36th birthday.

In April 2009, Ryan Giggs won the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Player of the Year award for the first time in his career. However, what was more surprising than Ryan winning the trophy at the age of 35 was that he had not been named the PFA Player of the Year sooner.

Throughout his career Ryan has received offers from high-profile clubs such as the Italian giant Inter, but has always expressed his passion for Manchester United, saying that he would want his professional career to end where it started — at Old Trafford.

"It was never a consideration to leave," said Giggs after winning the award. "I was linked with a few clubs but it was never really close. Why would I think about it when I was always happy here?"

On a more personal level, Giggs was a humanitarian. As a UNICEF ambassador, in 2002 he campaigned to prevent landmines from killing children. In 2006, Ryan visited South Africa to fight HIV/AIDS.

"We talk about footballers being brave when they play on in a game when they're injured… but that's nothing compared to the bravery of this man and what he is going through. His strength of character is an inspiration," Giggs said of an HIV positive patient in Soweto, South Africa, in 2006.

Ryan currently lives with Stacey and their two children Liberty and Zach in Worsley, Salford.

Here are some of the achievements of the magnificent no. 11:

- PFA Player of the Year: 2009FA Premier League Player of the Month: Sep 1993, Aug 2006, Feb 2007

- Manchester United Players Player of the Year Award: 2006

- Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year Award: 1998

- U-21 European Footballer of the Year: 1993

- Wales Player of the Year Award: 1996, 2006

- BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year: 1996

- Inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame: 2005

- Inducted into the Premiership Team of the Decade: 2003

- Inducted into the PFA Team Of The Century: 2007

- Record holder for number of English League title medals

- PFA Team of the Year: 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2001, 2007

- OBE for services to football


Some of the trophies Ryan has lifted as a United player:

- English Premier League: 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009

- UEFA Champions League: 1999, 2008

- Intercontinental Cup: 1999

- FA Cup: 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004

- League Cup: 1992, 2006, 2009

- UEFA Super Cup: 1991

- FIFA Club World Cup: 2008

From NEIL CUSTIS (The Sun)

ALL logic tells you Ryan Giggs should not have been playing in this match.

Yes, men can, of course, still play professional football at 35.

But at the speed and intensity Giggs did yesterday? For the biggest club in the world? In the weekend's most watched match on the planet?

And not just play in it. Dominate the second half and win it. Not with a goal but with an unerring vision, energy and quality.

At a rough estimate, there was probably £400million worth of talent on the Old Trafford pitch. Yet it was a man snatched from City at youth level for nothing, and groomed to become a teenage star, who shone above the rest in his footballing twilight.

To put it in perspective, the man asked to handle Giggs down the flank yesterday was just two years old when the Welsh wing wizard made his Manchester United debut.

Micah Richards was left looking like a soccer toddler, as he and the rest of the Manchester City defence were bamboozled by Giggs' runs and delivery of the ball.

He put centres on Darren Fletcher's head to make it 2-1 and 3-2 for United. Time and again, he swung the ball in to Dimitar Berbatov, whose headed efforts were denied only by the brilliance of Shay Given.

That's fine. But nobody in the world in their mid-30s also still runs at pace with the ball totally under control the way Giggs does.

You still cannot second-guess him. You get a duck of the shoulder here and a shake of the hips from the Elvis worshipper there.

There was plenty to praise Giggs for in the 90 minutes. But it was what went on during injury-time that told you the lot about the player, the man. The embodiment of all that is great in what manager Alex Ferguson has built.

A mistake by Rio Ferdinand had let Craig Bellamy run half the length of the pitch to snatch what looked a draw for City on 90 minutes.

United's players were out on their feet in despair, heads bowed. They would have to settle for the point. Not Giggs. Within moments of the restart he roared towards the City box as if it was the first minute not added time. Joleon Lescott blocked his path and the ball went out for a City throw.

The visitors' tails were up, yet it was Giggs complaining they were time-wasting over taking it. He still believed the game could swing back in United's favour.

And when a ball dropped from the skies, Giggs, who had pulled inside, trapped it and played it through for Michael Owen to finish.

Game 812 for the Welshman and one of the best halves he has ever played.

Ferguson said last season he could no longer play Giggs as a rampaging winger after 18 years. He has tried to change him into more of a playmaker. Yesterday he was a mixture of both, sending defenders back on their heels and cutting inside to affect play from a deeper role.

During the lean times, as Ferguson rebuilt and Chelsea and Arsenal shared the title for three years, Giggs became the butt of the fans' frustrations.

He was even booed once when substituted in a particularly poor home game.

At that stage, five years ago, it looked like retirement beckoned. But the Welshman kept his dignity, embarked on a schedule of yoga to boost his dodgy hamstrings and watched his food and drink intake even closer than before.

Two years ago, he retired from international football.

Giggs knew the finishing-line was approaching but was determined to push it back. During the derby it seemed as far away as ever.

He has played more games than any other United player and also has more medals than any other United player.

When Cristiano Ronaldo left, people asked if he would be regarded as an all-time great.

But you have to stay around a lot longer and do a lot more before you can be spoken of in the same breath as a Best, Law or Charlton. Giggs can be, without argument.

When the sculptors are next called upon to provide lasting evidence of greatness at Old Trafford, it will be the form of Alex Ferguson immortalised in bronze. I suggest Giggs should be stood alongside him.

Two men who have epitomised all that is great about United and all that continues to be.

KaDuS Bilang:
What more can i say after seeing this game. I expected a torrid afternoon for Man. Utd and City will give a tough game. Well, what a game. United scoring on the 2nd minutes via Rooney and Tevez architect City equalizer by capitalizing a schoolboy mistakes by keeper, Ben Foster. Then the game heat up in the second half.

Ryan Giggs was for me the joint Man Of The Match with Darren Fletcher. Although Fletcher score two goals... i still see Giggs passing, runnings, thinkings was at the very best in the world... No Wonder Fergie still keep Giggsy Running strong. So they silence their neighbor. Ya... City is missing a lot of player. That shouldn't be a excuse right? United also missing Hargreaves n Neville. Ferdinand is not that match fit (that's explained his poor mistake leading to Bellamy 2nd goal and City 3rd). On top of that, the still try to cope with the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo and well.. Carlos Tevez. So No Excuse lah Sparky.

Okaylah.. Glory Glory Man. Utd!!!

One of the most decorated Man. Utd Player of all time has finally won the PFA Players’ Player of the Year. This award is voted by Ryan Giggs Fellow professionals. This is also one award that eluded Giggs throughout his energatic career! Giggs also manage to beat fellow teamates; Nemanja Vidic, Edwin van der Saar, Rio Ferdinand and Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as Liverpool captain, Steven Gerard. For the record, Ryan Giggs has won the Young Players' Player of The Year Award twice in his early career.

Some of you might know that Man. Utd is my favorite team and Ryan Giggs is my Favorite player... Giggs for me is one of the greatest Left winger ever graced world football. His trickery, quick thinking, driblling and crossing has made him the best ball provider in EPL. Giggs debuted for Manchester United on the 2nd March 1991 in a match against Everton and scored his first ever goal in a 1-0 win against Manchester City. (That goal is credited to Giggs although it's appears that goal was Colin Hendry own goal).

From that moment, Giggs slowly established himself as Man. Utd first choice left winger. Scores a lot of beauty goal, but the most remarkable goal for me was the goal against Arsenal in the 1998/99 Fa Cup Semi Final Replay. The same year the win the Treble for the first time... wekekeke...

Giggs broke almost every record there to be broke at the EPL. He has won 22 major trophies since he first steps in as a 17 years old rookie. The best records he held is that Ryan Giggs is the only player to scored in every season of the Premier League since its inception. He once shared this record with Wales teammates, Gary Speed. At the time of writing, Giggs has appears in 799 matches for Man. Utd scoring 147 goals.

For his contribution to Manchester United and soccer in general he deserved to be named the PFA Players' Player of the Year Award. He might has slow down a bit (he is 35 years old) but his hunger for more success is still there! He is still a master in reading games... He is still a creative player although not playing in his favoured left wing position.

Pic Credit: Manchester United Official Website (www.manutd.com)

KaDuS Bilang:
Mungkin urang buli cakap yang sia tinguk Man. Utd hanya kerana Giggs. Well ada kebenaran juga tu... walaupun sia tinguk Man. Utd sebab dia pinya legacy, history, bla bla bla... Sia idolised Giggs. Sia main pakai number dia (11). Gosh, sia even beli VHS Tape and VCD pasal Giggs. Wakakaka... fanatiknya... Satu lai yang sia belum dapat, jersey MU yang ada nama and number Giggs di belakang... Huh... mo aim tu!!! Wakakakaka

Okay... Take Care all.!!!

How to announce your arrival in English Football scene???

A. Make your Debut for Manchester United at the age of 17
B. Scoring on your debut against top 6 English team
C. Scores the winning goal in injury time
D. Celebrate that goal so passionately
E. All Above.

If you are Frederico Macheda, your answer will be E. He done that, after scoring the winning goal so very late against Aston Villa, when the Kops supporters already smiling and thinking that they stay on top... or maybe level on point, but on the very final minutes Kiko Macheda struck the goal that would retain Man. Utd top of the Baclays Premierleague table by 1 point.

But Who is Frederico Macheda?
Frederico Macheda was born on 22 August 1991 in Rome. He was a youngster plying his trade for Lazio Youth team. Lazio president Claudio Latito rate him highly. No wonder his frustrations shows, when Kiko scores the winning goal, as he is the one who has to let Kiko go to United.

Kiko, now plays regularly for the Reserves Team but stil eligible for the Under-18 squad. Days before his dream debut for Manchester United 1st Team, he scores a hatrick against Newcastle reserve. Guess what, Sir Alex Ferguson has told reserve team manager, United Legend, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer that if Kiko plays well during the weeks, he (kiko) will earns himself a place on the Man. Utd bench. The highest possible start for a youngster in Manchester United.

Kiko took every chances given to him. By scoring a hatrick, he went on to Manchester United bench. When United was trailing by 2 goal to 1, he was brought in in the 60th minute, and the effect of his introduction was brilliant. He terrorize Aston Villa defend and should have won a penalty and score much earlier.

That Goal
Receiving a pass prom Ryan Giggs, make a quick turn to his left and left fly a curling shot to score what could be one of the best goal by a debutant this season.