Ryan Giggs (age 35) has been no stranger in receiving honours throughout his illustrious 19 year career, receiving an OBE (Order of the British Empire) for his services to football, being the only United player to have played in all ten Premier League-winning teams and only player to win 10 league titles. As well as surpassing Sir Bobby Charlton’s record of appearances for United to become the club’s all-time leader in appearances and in 2005, becoming a member of the English Football Hall of Fame. For those who are unaware of who Ryan Giggs actually is, he is most remembered for his famous sprint down the pitch, beating the entire Arsenal defence and scoring an extra-time goal to give Manchester United a 2-1 win in the 1999 FA Cup Semi-Final. So it must only seem fitting that a player of his calibre, who is soon to retire and has given so much to the English game should receive something back, right?
Well that’s what happened a few nights ago when Giggs became this year’s PFA Player of the Year, for the first time ever, after being voted by his fellow professionals. He was shortlisted along with four of his team mates: Nemanja Vidic, Edwin van der Sar, Rio Ferdinand and Cristiano Ronaldo. Consequently Giggs became the 32nd different player to receive the award, he now joins a distinguished list with fellow United stars, past and present who have won it as well. This includes the likes of Mark Hughes (1988/89), Eric “The Red” Cantona (1993/94) and Cristiano Ronaldo (2006/07-2007/08) to name a few.
So what does the future hold for the man dubbed “the Welsh Wizard”? Well on Wednesday night’s Champion’s League tie against Arsenal, Giggs will clock up his 800th senior club appearance and is on the verge of scoring his 150th senior club goal, he is currently stuck on 148. The Welshman appears it still has many games left in him for now and doesn’t look like giving the game away for another year or so. To anyone ‘game’ enough to challenge for that left-winger position at United, all I can say is ’Good luck’.
-Robert Zammit
