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Sir Alex Ferguson: No one will ever match Giggs’ achievements with Manchester United
As the 38-year-old prepares to make his 900th career appearance for the Red Devils, his manager says he believes the Welshman’s quality and longevity will prove unique
Feb 23, 2012 4:37:00 AM
By Liam Twomey
Sir Alex Ferguson is convinced the scale of Ryan Giggs’ achievements with Manchester United will never be matched.
Giggs will make an unprecedented 900th appearance for United should he feature in Thursday evening’s Europa League last 32 clash with Ajax at Old Trafford.
The Welshman is the only player to have scored in all 20 seasons of the Premier League since its inception in 1992, and earlier this month signed a contract extension to keep him with the Red Devils for another year.
"It is my personal view, and not everyone will agree with me because we all have our favourites, that even if you take away the longevity, being in the Premier League for as long as he has, achieving what he has; no other player will do it," Ferguson told reporters.
The longevity of Giggs’ career at the top level has prompted comparisons with AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini, but Ferguson believes his player’s achievements are even more remarkable, given the greater exertion required of a midfielder.
"Obviously Maldini was a magnificent player but there is a distinction," the Scot added.
"Maldini was a defender and although in his case, he probably put in a lot of running as a full-back, wide [midfield] players have more work to do.
"It is amazing really. If you go back to Moscow, you are talking almost another 150 games further on.
"He keeps defying age. This season he has just been the same as he was back in Moscow. There is nothing changed from his performance level then as it is today."
Despite spending much of his career as a rampaging winger, recent seasons have seen Giggs shine in a more central midfield role, and Ferguson believes this change has given the Welshman a chance to develop a new side to his game.
"His use of the ball has got better with age," the United boss said.
"Changing his position to play in a more central area has given a different aspect to his game.
"We always remember what Ryan was famous for, going up and down that touchline, running at full-backs with great balance and speed.
"Today it is a different Ryan Giggs.
"He still has that change of pace and a wonderful balance but he is not as quick as he was 10 years ago and has looked at his game a different way."
With retirement seemingly not in his thoughts, there has been speculation Giggs may even play on into his 40s and reach 1000 matches for United, and Ferguson is not placing any restrictions on his evergreen stalwart.
"One hundred games from now? How old would that make him?” the Scot pondered.
"Stanley Matthews played at 50 I suppose. We will just have to wait and see."
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Giggs will make an unprecedented 900th appearance for United should he feature in Thursday evening’s Europa League last 32 clash with Ajax at Old Trafford.
The Welshman is the only player to have scored in all 20 seasons of the Premier League since its inception in 1992, and earlier this month signed a contract extension to keep him with the Red Devils for another year.
"It is my personal view, and not everyone will agree with me because we all have our favourites, that even if you take away the longevity, being in the Premier League for as long as he has, achieving what he has; no other player will do it," Ferguson told reporters.
The longevity of Giggs’ career at the top level has prompted comparisons with AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini, but Ferguson believes his player’s achievements are even more remarkable, given the greater exertion required of a midfielder.
"Obviously Maldini was a magnificent player but there is a distinction," the Scot added.
"Maldini was a defender and although in his case, he probably put in a lot of running as a full-back, wide [midfield] players have more work to do.
"It is amazing really. If you go back to Moscow, you are talking almost another 150 games further on.
"He keeps defying age. This season he has just been the same as he was back in Moscow. There is nothing changed from his performance level then as it is today."
Despite spending much of his career as a rampaging winger, recent seasons have seen Giggs shine in a more central midfield role, and Ferguson believes this change has given the Welshman a chance to develop a new side to his game.
"His use of the ball has got better with age," the United boss said.
"Changing his position to play in a more central area has given a different aspect to his game.
"We always remember what Ryan was famous for, going up and down that touchline, running at full-backs with great balance and speed.
"Today it is a different Ryan Giggs.
"He still has that change of pace and a wonderful balance but he is not as quick as he was 10 years ago and has looked at his game a different way."
With retirement seemingly not in his thoughts, there has been speculation Giggs may even play on into his 40s and reach 1000 matches for United, and Ferguson is not placing any restrictions on his evergreen stalwart.
"One hundred games from now? How old would that make him?” the Scot pondered.
"Stanley Matthews played at 50 I suppose. We will just have to wait and see."
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