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 has long been tipped to be a future Manchester United manager. Now, according to some reports, he’s been given Sir Alex Ferguson’s blessing to be the next one – ahead of Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola. But is a legendary playing career experience enough for him to become the new Fergie? CHRIS WATHAN looks at whether Giggs the gaffer is a realistic prospect

NO-ONE has ever doubted him as a player. After all, he is someone who has won pretty much everything there is to win.

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.