2012

Ryan Giggs has claimed Paul Scholes is playing the best football of his career and would still light up Euro 2012.

Scholes, 37, has signed up for another year and his performances for Manchester United have sparked talk of a shock return for England.

Boss Roy Hodgson names his squad on Wednesday, but it’s believed Scholes won’t be in it.

Neville won every major club honour as a player and has impressed as a Sky Sports pundit over the past year, but will take on a new challenge with England this summer at the European Championships 2012 as the surprise inclusion in Roy Hodgson’s new coaching team.

Giggs particularly highlighted Neville’s appreciation for how the modern footballer thinks.

“He’s got fresh ideas,” Giggs said. “He’s just come out of playing football himself, played at the top level, going to international tournaments.

Ryan Giggs has been voted the greatest player of the Premier League era with Sir Alex Ferguson scooping the best manager prize.

The Welshman made his United debut before the inception of the new league in 1992 and has been an ever-present in the top division, scoring in every season and winning 12 titles.

"It's a fantastic double. This is testament to what the club has achieved over the last 20 years."
- David Gill

Sir Alex Ferguson and Ryan Giggs were honoured at the Premier League's 20 seasons awards ceremony.

Manchester United boss Ferguson was named the best manager of the last 20 seasons after guiding the Old Trafford club to 12 Premier League titles.

Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs has been named Best Player in the Premier League's 20 Seasons Awards.

The 38-year-old was chosen by a panel of football experts and received his prize at a special ceremony to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Premier League in London on Tuesday.

Giggs, who is the only man to have played and scored in all 20 Premier League seasons, beat off competition from nine other nominees to win the award.

Sir Alex has confirmed that Paul Scholes will stay at Manchester United for the 2012/2013 campaign.

The midfielder retired last year but returned in January to help fuel the Reds' title bid, playing a key role in the team accruing 89 points and only missing out on the championship on goal difference.

At 37, he still showed a thirst for finding the back of the net - scoring four times, against Bolton, Norwich, QPR and Swansea and all worries that he may call it quits again have been ended by the manager.

Ryan Giggs is understood to be the only over-aged player who Manchester United will allow to be selected for the Great Britain Olympic team after the club telephoned the Football Association.

United have ruled out Team GB coach Stuart Pearce picking Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes and Jonny Evans for the Olympic tournament at London 2012 as over-23 players.

SCORER

ManCity : Vincent Kompany (45)

Frank Lampard insists that he wants to remain at Chelsea for a number of years, following the examples of Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs.

The 33-year-old has one-year left on his current deal at Stamford Bridge, and he has been linked with moves to Spain, USA and China.

But Lampard has seen the likes of Scholes and Giggs playing well into their 30s and he wants to do the same.

"I love Chelsea and, ideally, I will be here longer than just one more season," he told the Sunday Mirror.

Ryan Giggs may have seen it all before in terms of derbies and title races but he admits there is added spice in Monday's blockbuster clash at Manchester City.

The veteran midfielder is hoping to be involved at the Etihad Stadium as Sir Alex is likely to ponder a recall for one of his most trusted professionals in the heat of battle. Certainly, the 38-year-old is one player who will not be feeling any nerves in the tense build-up, after all he was credited with the winner in a derby as long ago as 1991 - even if it did appear to be an own goal by Colin Hendry.

Former West Ham boss Glenn Roeder reveals his sporting hero, with Sir Bobby Moore to the fore.

Who was your sporting hero as a boy?

Nicky Butt pitted himself against some of the cream of world football’s midfield players for United.

Juventus’s Zinedine Zidane, Didier Deschamps and Edgar Davids, Rivaldo and Luis Figo for Barcelona, Stefan Effenberg and Lothar Matthaus for Bayern Munich.

He also clashed with the same world-class quality for England on the European and World Cup stage.

Gorton-born Butt, however, describes City’s current midfield department as ‘frightening.’

SCORERS

ManUtd : Wayne Rooney (41, 69), Danny Welbeck (57), Nani (60)
Everton : Nikica Jelavic (33, 83), Marouane Fellaini (67), Steven Pienaar (85)

Sir Alex Ferguson admits he's "had a word" with Ashley Young about going down too easily inside the penalty area, although maintains referee Mark Halsey was right to award United an early penalty against Aston Villa last weekend.

When Young went to ground under a challenge from Villa defender Ciaran Clark, Halsey had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Villa players were incensed by the decision and argued the Reds winger had made the most out of minimal contact. It's been a hot topic for debate in newspapers and on television ever since.

SCORERS

ManUtd: Wayne Rooney (7, 73), Danny Welbeck (43), Nani(90+3)

Ryan Giggs responded to questions from the Red Army in the latest issue of United Review...

Which opposition player has stood out for you this season? (Max Singer)
Robin van Persie. In a team that hasn't always been performing to its maximum, he's been brilliant. He's produced so many goals, and important ones as well. You really have to hand it to him.

How does it feel when some of the referees are younger than you? (Ellen Graham)

Ryan Giggs has called on United to bounce back from the disappointing 1-0 defeat at Wigan.

The midfielder felt the Reds were denied a clear penalty when Maynor Figueroa handled a Phil Jones cross in the box but had few complaints about the scoreline after a below-par display. The onus is on the league leaders to start building another crucial unbeaten run, starting with the weekend clash against Aston Villa.

Ryan Giggs has vowed Manchester United will not ease up despite opening up an eight-point gap over Manchester City in the title race.

The 19-times champions have surged to the summit on the back of an eight-game winning streak, while City have faltered with just one victory in their last five.

With just six games of the season remaining, it appears unthinkable that Sir Alex Ferguson's side will not be able to defend their Premier League crown once again.

Ryan Giggs feels Manchester United's Premier League campaign will deserve special praise if they manage to wrap up a record 20th title.

Sir Alex Ferguson's men now have an eight-point advantage at the top with only six games of the season remaining.

And the Red Devils are on course to potentially win the league at the Etihad Stadium against arch-rivals Manchester City on April 30th following their neighbours' title challenge collapse in recent weeks.

SCORERS

ManUtd : Wayne Rooney (15pen), Paul Scholes (68)

Manchester United legend Mark Hughes will set a stern test for the Reds this weekend, according to his former team-mate Ryan Giggs.

Queens Park Rangers will be the fourth club to come to Old Trafford under Sparky's stewardship, after previous visits with Blackburn Rovers, Manchester City and Fulham. So while facing United away may be a new experience for some of the QPR players, Giggs warns their gaffer has gained enough knowledge to represent a threat to the Reds.

Ryan Giggs believes Blackburn Rovers will be fired up for Monday night's showdown at Ewood Park.

The Reds will be backed by a sizeable and vocal travelling army of fans but the extra ticket allocation seems to have helped inspire the home supporters in return in the past. United have won only two times in the last 11 league visits to the Lancashire ground, although the point secured last season clinched the 19th title.

The Manchester United midfielder broke the former AC Milan man's appearance record on Monday night as he played his 903rd match for the Red Devils.

With football becoming driven by money more and more each year, the habit of breeding your own players appears to be one that is becoming less important, particularly for the bigger clubs as they look to gain immediate success. But there are two players that epitomise just what can be brought through the ranks.

Ryan Giggs has said that practising yoga has kept him in the game for so long and added that he would still love to play another 100 games for Manchester United. The Welshman, who is chasing his 13th Premier League title, told Gazzetta dello Sport that he has had to change the way he thinks on the pitch but that he is still "living the dream".

"The yoga has definitely helped me," the 38-year-old said. "It helps me train every day because it gives me the flexibility and the strength not only to play the game but to train as well.

Golden oldie Ryan Giggs has set himself a target of playing 1000 games for Manchester United.

The 38-year-old has chalked up a record 904 appearances for the club since making his debut 22 years ago.

Since then he has won 12 Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, two Champions Leagues, one Super Cup, an Intercontinental Cup and a FIFA Club World Cup.

The Wales legend penned a new one-year extension to his Old Trafford deal last month.

Ryan Giggs has described Javier Zanetti as his 'most difficult opponent', but says he was never tempted to join the Inter Milan captain in Serie A.

The Manchester United veteran has recently passed 900 appearances for the Premier League champions and signed a new one-year contract last month.

He has spent over 20 years in the Red Devils' first team and has come up against numerous high-class full-backs at domestic, European and international level.

Ryan Giggs is enjoying the title chase and feels 1-0 victories like the one secured against Fulham could prove crucial.

The midfielder has lifted the trophy 12 times after being involved in numerous run-ins and won't be losing any sleep over the manner of success on Monday night as the Cottagers ensured nobody at Old Trafford could relax.

To lose one might be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness. Manchester City had Ryan Giggs in their youth team for two years but ended up losing him to Manchester United at 14 years-old.

Some 11 years later they let another one slip through their fingers. It was just before Christmas in 1998 and City’s youth coaches decided that the eight-year-old Danny Nii Tackie Mensah Welbeck was not for them. By the New Year he was with United.

“They custard pied me!” Welbeck said of his City rejection.

Bryan Robson reckons United’s old boys’ network will outrun City in the race for the title.

The Old Trafford and England legend is backing veterans Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand to clinch a record 20th league championship.

 And Robson, who won two Premier League titles at United during a glorious playing career, believes Sir Alex Ferguson’s side could even be crowned champions at the Etihad Stadium on April 30.

SCORERS

ManUtd: Jonny Evans (21), Antonio Valencia (43), Danny Welbeck (45), Javier Hernandez (56, 61)

A year after hanging up his own boots, Gary Neville is adamant Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes will only join him in retirement when it suits them...

It's like when people ask who's going to replace the manager - it's a waste of time trying to predict it. Ryan will go on for as long as he wants to, and the same goes for Paul. These people are incredible people who defeat time. They've got that much class and quality that they could probably play into their forties at a level that will still give Manchester United a great level of impetus and value.

Former Manchester United captain Steve Bruce has named Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes as the greatest players of the Premier League era.

Who was your sporting hero as a boy?
As a boy, Newcastle striker Malcolm McDonald was my sporting hero. And  Jimmy Smith, a Scottish international who played in the 1970s. Also another Scottish international called Tony Green, who unfortunately got injured playing for Newcastle. Those were the three.

Who was the most talented player you have ever worked with?

SCORERS

ManUtd: Wayne Rooney (22, 90pen)
Athletic: Fernando Llorente (44), Oscar De Marcos (72), Iker Munain (90)

SCORERS

Tottenham: Jermaine Defoe (87)
ManUtd: Wayne Rooney (45), Ashley Young (60, 69)

If Tottenham are going to win today then they better have a couple of goals in them because Manchester United will definitely score.

Nobody doubts Spurs are a good side but history will show you that they don't get enough results against the big teams — and I can't see that changing this afternoon.

Their mindset is to attack and that's fine against most teams but you can be asking for trouble if you leave yourself open against the likes of United.

And it's only a week since Spurs conceded five against Arsenal.

Ashley Young has revealed the secrets of sharing a dressing room with veteran pair Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.

‘Whenever players like that speak, you sit there and you listen,’ said the England winger.

‘They are two players who have had magnificent careers. You look up to players like that. I would love to emulate any one of their careers.’

Dubai: Manchester United legend Andy Cole has paid tribute to former teammate Ryan Giggs after the veteran Welshman racked up his 900th appearance for the club at the weekend.

Giggs, who has been playing for the Old Trafford outfit since 1991, fittingly crowned the incredible landmark with the winning goal as United edged past Norwich City to keep up the pressure on title rivals Manchester City on Sunday.

Paul Scholes believes Manchester United need to win all 12 of their remaining games if they are to secure the Premier League title ahead of Manchester City.

Ryan Giggs admits he is enjoying his football more than ever after breaking through the 900-game mark for United.

The Welshman continues to rewrite the record books and the 38-year-old is relishing performing for at least another season at the highest level for his boyhood idols.

"To play 900 games for Manchester United is obviously something to be proud of," he told MUTV. "Especially growing up as a United fan.

Sir Alex Ferguson believes United's last-gasp victory at Norwich, courtesy of milestone man Ryan Giggs, could prove crucial in the title race.

The Reds looked set to drop two vital points after Paul Scholes' early opener was cancelled out by Grant Holt's 83rd-minute equaliser.

But Giggs, playing his 900th game for the club, popped up with the winner two minutes into injury-time to secure what could turn out to be a huge victory.

Ryan Giggs admits the fans and Sir Alex must be frustrated with the overall performance at Norwich but the late matchwinner was obviously delighted to grab the three points in true United fashion.

Something interesting has happened over the last 10 years in the Premier League. Players who once would have been discarded as expensive and too old have become important parts of title-winning squads.

In fact, the ideal Premier League squad these days would have about eight players under the age of 23, about 12 between 23 and 31, and four or five up to 38.

Ryan Giggs is about to take off his shirt after scoring the winning goal during the FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal at Villa Park, 14 April 1999. Photograph: Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images

Ryan Giggs made his debut for Manchester United as a 35th-minute substitute in the 2-0 defeat by Everton at Old Trafford on 2 March 1991. But what happened to his team-mates from that day?

Les Sealey
The goalkeeper joined Aston Villa in 1991, before finishing his playing career at West Ham. He stayed as their goalkeeping coach but died from a heart attack in 2001

Denis Irwin
Won the treble alongside Giggs in 1999. He joined Wolves in 2002 and retired in 2004. Now works as a pundit for MUTV and RTE

SCORERS

ManUtd : Javier Hernandez (6)
Ajax : Aras Ozbiliz (37), Toby Alderweireld (87)

1ST GAME

Man Utd 0 Everton 2

Division 1 — March 2, 1991

A 17-YEAR-OLD Ryan Giggs brought a ray of sunshine to an otherwise tough day as a 36th-minute sub for Denis Irwin. Mike Newell and Steve Watson scored.

50TH GAME

Man Utd 1 Nottm Forest 2

Rumbelows Cup — Apr 12, '92

BRIAN McCLAIR bagged the goal to help United lift the Rumbelows Cup and secure a place in the UEFA Cup. Teenager Giggs provided the assist.

Ryan Giggs believes Manchester United's past experience of title chases offers them the upper hand in this season's Premier League pursuit.

The Red Devils have secured 12 top-flight titles under Sir Alex Ferguson, taking their overall tally to a record-breaking 19.

Having been there and done it on some many previous occasions, United are confident that they can once again come out on top in the race to secure English football's most prestigious prize.

If it happens that Ryan Giggs indeed wins the race for the succession at Old Trafford as the favourite-son nomination of Sir Alex Ferguson, no one need have much doubt about the day a nice idea became a compelling possibility.

It was in the first week of January this year when, at a most pivotal moment in the history of Manchester United, the 38-year-old Welshman stepped beyond the meaning of all those brilliant years out on the field.

Ryan Giggs would be perfect take over as Manchester United manager one day, says former Red Devils striker Dion Dublin.

It has been claimed current Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson championed Ryan Giggs’ cause at a recent private function.

Having just signed a one-year contract extension and with no managerial experience, it would be a surprise if United’s hierarchy were thinking of Ryan Giggs as a potential direct successor to Sir Alex Ferguson.

Paul Scholes has backed Ryan Giggs to be a serious contender for the Manchester United managerial post when Sir Alex Ferguson slips into retirement.

The current occupant of the Old Trafford hot-seat has offered no indication that he is to step down any time soon, but there will become a day when he finally walks away.

Speculation regarding who could fill such sizeable shoes is already doing the rounds, with the likes of Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola drawing plenty of support.

Sir Alex Ferguson believes Ryan Giggs could one day succeed him as Manchester United manager.

The United boss has confided to friends that he considers the record-breaking Welsh winger to have a big enough personality - and the right presence at the club - to shoulder the responsibility of maintaining success at Old Trafford.

Following Ferguson will be a daunting task for whoever is chosen, but after serving under the 70-year-old Scot for 21 years, few have a better understanding of how his manager runs the club than Giggs.

Manchester United midfielder Giggs shook the hand of Liverpool forward Suarez before Saturday’s clash at Old Trafford, despite the Uruguayan snubbing Evra’s hand moments earlier.

Suarez’s lingering anger at being suspended for eight games for racially abusing Evra is understood to have influenced his decision not to shake hands, but the player’s subsequent apology has now been welcomed by United.

Ryan Giggs is eyeing the 1,000 appearance mark after signing a new 12 months contract with Manchester United .

He is expected to feature in his 900th game for the Red Devils in the Europa League clash against Ajax on Thursday night.

Having extended his current deal at United by an additional 12 months, Giggs is looking to reach the 1,000 game mark in his 22rd year with the club.

“If I finish this season well and play a lot next season, I should do it, which would be great because not many have done that," he said.

Ryan Giggs is 38 years of age, in his 22nd top-flight season and on the brink of 900 appearances, yet he remains one of Manchester United’s best players.

It’s a remarkable fact that leaves Rio Ferdinand marvelling at what his team-mate has achieved over an incredible career, which was extended by another year on Friday.

Ferdinand insists there was no sentimentality in the decision to offer Giggs a new deal, nor in the fact that he’s still being picked by Sir Alex – not that any Reds needed convincing.

SCORERS

ManUtd : Wayne Rooney (47, 50)
Liverpool : Luis Suarez (79)

Ashley Young insists he still has plenty to learn from United legends Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes, despite making almost 200 top-flight league appearances for three different clubs.

The 26-year-old England winger, who wore the colours of Watford and Aston Villa before joining the Reds last summer, is sure his game has benefitted from training and playing alongside the vintage pair, who continue to excel for United in spite of their advancing years.

United boss Sir Alex feels Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes are great examples to the younger players at the club.

Giggs has been rewarded with another contract extension while Scholes has shown no signs of rustiness after coming out of retirement to control the midfield again in his inimitable style.

The pair are still in tip-top condition and continue to excel this term, with Giggs crossing for Javier Hernandez's equaliser at Chelsea on Sunday. Indeed, the Welshman has the best minutes-to-assist ratio in the Barclays Premier League this season.

United are the most successful club in English league football, and Ryan Giggs wants it to remain that way.

Last season’s title triumph was the Reds’ 19th and moved the club one ahead of Liverpool, the league’s dominant force when Sir Alex Ferguson arrived in 1986.

United have wiped out an 11-title deficit but, ahead of the Merseysiders’ visit to Old Trafford this weekend, Giggs knows the champions’ work isn’t done.

SCORERS

Chelsea : Johnny Evans (og. 36), Juan Mata (46), David Luiz (51)
ManUtd : Wayne Rooney (pen. 58, pen. 70), Javier Hernandez (84)

SCORERS

ManUtd : Javier Hernandez (38pen), Dimitar Berbatov (53pen)

SCORERS

Liverpool : Daniel Agger (21), Dirk Kuyt (88)
ManUtd : Park Ji Sung (39)

Ryan Giggs is hoping a cup-tie atmosphere can spur Manchester United to victory at Anfield.

The experienced midfielder feels a larger away support than normal could make a positive difference in Saturday's FA Cup clash, just as it did in the previous round at Manchester City's Etihad Stadium.

Giggs told MUTV: "It's a cup game so we're going to have more fans there than we would for a league match. We experienced that against City, where the atmosphere was great.”

In an exclusive interview recorded for MUTV’s Inside Carrington show, Ryan Giggs talks to Mark Sullivan about training regimes and the keys to his longevity…

How has training changed over the years?

SCORERS

Arsenal : Robin Van Persie (71)
ManUtd : Antonio Valencia (45), Danny Welbeck (81)

Ryan Giggs has faced Arsenal more often than any other team in his 21-year career as a Manchester United player.

The Welshman’s 47 appearances against the Gunners, across five different competitions, have yielded many great victories for the Reds – in games including the FA Cup (1999, 2004) and Champions League (2009) semi-finals. But it’s a measure of a true Manchester United legend when, before he can bask in such glories, he recalls the encounters where Arsenal had the upper hand – and metaphorically kicks himself.

Ryan Giggs and David Beckham are among 184 of 191 players contacted by the Football Association who have indicated they wish to be considered for the British men's team at the London 2012 Olympics.

Only seven of the 191 players written to by the FA last month have ruled themselves out. They are from across the home nations, including at least one Englishman, and from a spread of clubs.

2012 has begun with many news for the Champions Promenade in Monte Carlo. The 2011 awarded players footprints are now present. Luis Figo (Portugal), Ruud Gullit (Holland), Rabah Madjer (Algeria), Abedi Ayew “Pelé” (Ghana), FC Internazionale’s captain Javier Zanetti and the winner Ryan Giggs (Wales) are all there. Wallking along the Monaco’s seafront, near the Grimaldi Forum, you will have the chance to admire the new footprints. Now they are 50, with all the footbal greats awarded with Golden Foot, representing 21 nations.

Exhibition: Playing for Wales – the Story of the Football Association of Wales, National Waterfront Museum, Swansea, until March 4 2012

With a national team on the rise and a Swansea side entertaining the Premier League, Wales has had plenty to feel proud of recently.

The former Wales international is the only player to have scored in every season of the competition after being awarded his side's third goal in the 5-0 win at Craven Cottage

Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs has maintained his remarkable record of having scored in every Premier League season.

The Welshman's goal in the 5-0 win over Fulham in December could have been awarded to Philippe Senderos after his effort took a huge deflection off the Swiss defender.

SCORERS

Man City : Aleksandar Kolarov (48), Sergio Aguero (65)
Man Utd : Wayne Rooney (10, 40), Danny Welbeck (30)

Ryan Giggs says Manchester United must recover and regroup after losing 3-0 to Newcastle United in the Barclays Premier League.

The veteran midfielder had hoped to help close the gap on leaders Manchester City with victory at the Sports Direct Arena, but was in the end left to rue a disappointing night against an impressive Magpies side.