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He is evergreen; he is amazing; he is red; and most importantly, he will tear you apart again.
It was the 2nd of March, 1991, as the rain came down heavily on the Old Trafford grass, the surrounding flood lights heavily focused on the pitch as Everton took on Manchester United. Although the result was not as expected, the iconic Stretford end rose to salute the effort of Denis Irwin, a 17 year old lad strolled out onto the park in his place. Little did the Manchester United fans know that he would be the one who would carry the club to heights beyond their wildest dreams.
” I remember the first time I saw Giggs. He was 13 and he floated across the ground like a cocker spanel chasing a piece of silver paper in the wind”- Sir Alex Ferguson
Ryan Giggs along with David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and the Neville brothers ( Gary and Phil) were part of the famed Class of 92′. However, from that talented group of 6 remarkable players, Ryan Giggs’s career still goes on. Having come up through the ranks at the picturesque Cliff Training ground and knowing what it takes to win a cap for Manchester United, Giggs scored his first goal against Manchester City, on 4th May 1991. Incidentally, he scored on his first start for the club and it was the only goal of the match, as the red half of Manchester won the bragging rights and 17 year old Ryan Giggs grabbed the headlines.
However, it was not until the 1995-96 season that this group, popularly known as ” Fergie’s Fledgelings”, were given their well deserved and long awaited chance, following the sale of Paul Ince and Andrei Kanchelskis, who had been influential in the previous season. A 3-1 home loss to Aston Villa in the first game of the season prompted Alan Hansen to make the famous statement “ You don’t win anything with kids”. However, Hansen later had to eat his words as the so called” kids“ put their season back on track with victories in the next 5 League matches.
It is commendable and strange in a way to think that a player of his calibre, who could have so easily been transferred from the Red Devils for a huge sum such as David Beckham, decided to stay at the club he loved and do what he did best- create havoc on the left wing and leave the opposition team’s defence in shambles. The fact that he was able to do be there for the club as a hero or a talisman or in whatever capacity the club needed him, for 23 years, tells us about his character.
” When I arrived Giggs was playing, and I retired 15 years ago and he is still playing” – Eric Cantona
In a glorious career spanning 23 years, it is hard to pick the perfect moment to describe a true Manchester United legend. However, I would go on to single out two particular moments in his playing career that probably epitomize his playing career. The first would definitely have to be his goal against Arsenal at Villa Park in the 1999 F.A Cup semifinal replay and the other would have to be his 1000th appearance for Manchester United against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions league; I am certain most Manchester United supporters would agree with me.
The 1998-99 FA Cup which was lifted by United has Giggs’ goal written all over it, and perhaps that is what separates good players and special players. Special players like Ryan Giggs who can score on the big occasion and score tremendous goals like that one was. Patrick Vieira had had almost the perfect day until Giggs came on, and it was perhaps the first pass that he had misplaced. The manager’s instructions to Ryan Giggs were plain and simple- Run at the tired right back (Dixon), if you can.
It can be put quite simply as ” the goal of that era”, in terms of individual skill (In all fairness to Wayne Rooney‘s overhead kick, Giggs’ goal came when there was a lot at stake).
” He picked the ball up, and I was a left back behind him shouting Giggsy Giggsy I’m on my way thinking I was going to overlap him, and Giggsy just went further and further away from me. I stood still and it was like slow motion, gliding in and out, it was like a gazelle. He had this grace about him, and he was making body movements without even touching the ball….. That was Ryan Giggs. Whether he was playing in the Cliff Training ground or Carrington. That was what Ryan Giggs was all about. This was Giggsy’s moment “- Phil Neville
In the latter part of his distinguished career, despite losing his speed, the one thing that he never lost was his sharpness. He was moved in to a more central position, where he was able to show off his passing prowess and immaculate ball control skills.
In the 2013-14 UEFA Champions league game against Bayer Leverkusen, the new manager David Moyes turned to his trusted player-coach- Ryan Giggs. He was moved into a central defensive midfield position in the absence of Darren Fletcher. His performance that night was so good, that his former team mates Gary Neville and Paul Scholes believed that he will go on for three more years at the very least.
Be it the goal of that era against Arsenal on the big stage, a last minute assist for Teddy Sheringham against Bayern Munich on the biggest of stages, a screamer against Tottenham Hotspur or another trademark Ryan Giggs goal against Queens Park Rangers, one thing is inevitable- Ryan Giggs will tear you apart again.
