Ryan Giggs: The ageless maestro

Ryan Giggs: Timeless

Old Trafford was witness to a performance last night, the likes of which had not been seen throughout the season as Manchester United demolished Olympiakos 3-0 to book a place in the Champions League quarter final. Even though it was a Robin Van Persie hattrick, brilliant work by Wayne Rooney and superb goalkeeping by David De Gea that powered the side through, for me the unsung hero of the night was Ryan Giggs.

The immediate reaction of many fans around the world when they saw the starting line up was why. Why had Moyes gone with Giggs in a pressure game and also considering the lack of game time Giggs had had and why had he rather not started with Fellaini. But by the end of the night my opinion had been reversed irrevocably. The Welsh wizard rolled the years back as he put on a fantastic display in midfield.

United were always going to need to come out last night all guns blazing but for that they needed someone in the midfield to provide the creative spark which would set them on their way. The experience and creativity that Giggs possessed was called upon, and he did not disappoint. The long, inch-perfect balls were supplied in abundance, the dainty footwork frequently on display and even defensively, Giggs was present when needed.

If one looked at his performance last night, it is difficult to imagine that it was a 40 year old Giggs who played and not the same fresh youngster who used to terrorize defences back in the day. Giggs had a speed and sense of balance that made him a devastating force down the wings. Over the years even though the speed may have come down, the balance is still there. Giggs can even today still pick up the ball and dance round defenders, wading over challenges without going down.

Giggs is gifted with vision that makes him a vital cog in the midfield every time he plays. Last night too he demonstrated his capabilities by picking out Valencia out wide and Van Persie or Welbeck upfront with regularity. It was this potent mix of skills in him that made Giggs stand out in the past, and even today, whenever he starts, he impresses.

It is no secret that football burns out an individual pretty fast. A ten-twelve year career is seen as a great achievement but Ryan Giggs has defied odds. He came on to the scene as a seventeen year old and no one knows when he is finally going to call it quits. Nobody can ever be sure how he managed to survive in the game for so long but that is what makes him so special. He has managed to constantly re-invent himself over the years, and with a sensible amount of workload he has prolonged his career.

There is no doubt that when he does hang up his boots, United will bid adieu to one of the greatest footballers ever to grace the pitch, but until the end of the season, kick back and savour the last few “Giggs-y” moments.