The evolution of Ryan Giggs

Here is a look at Ryan Giggs and his evolution over the course of the last two-and-a-half decades.

#1 The Early Years

"I remember the first time I saw him. He was 13 and he floated across the ground like a cocker spaniel chasing a piece of silver paper in the wind" – Sir Alex Ferguson

It is hard to imagine Giggs playing for Manchester City or Liverpool now but he almost did. When he first started playing, he was scouted by Dennis Schofield for Manchester City, who signed him for their School of Excellence.

While there, Giggs was playing for Salford Boys and captained the side to a win over Blackburn in the Granada Schools Cup competition final at Anfield in 1987. He was man of the match and was given the trophy by Liverpool scout and legend Ron Yeats.

While playing for his local side, Deans FC, Giggs was spotted by a Old Trafford steward and local newsagent who told Sir Alex Ferguson about him. Ferguson sent a scout and later watched him play against Manchester United’s U-15 where he scored a hat-trick.

Ferguson was so impressed that he showed up at Giggs’ house on his 14th birthday and convinced him to sign a two year deal with the option to go professional in 3 years’ time.

#2 1990-1992: The Beginning

"He was wearing a No 14 shirt that was too baggy for him and just looked like a skinny kid gliding across the pitch. Even then his pace stood out straight away, even if it was an unremarkable game from a United point of view as we won 2-0." – Former Everton and Arsenal player, Martin Keown on Ryan Giggs’ debut.

Ryan Giggs signed his professional contract for Manchester United in December 1990 at the age of 17. Giggs made his professional debut against Everton in Old Trafford on March 2 1991. He had scored his first goal for the club against Manchester City on his first start for the club but wasn’t a regular yet with Ferguson choosing Lee Sharpe over Giggs for the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup final.

He became a regular starter during the 1991-1992 season and captained the youth team, which consisted of many “Fergie’s Fledglings”, to win the FA Youth Cup Final in 1992. He later said that his days in the youth team were some of his best claiming that “ lifting the trophy with those lads, the ones I grew up with, was a fabulous feeling.”

He won the PFA Young Player of the Year Award and won his first piece of silverware for Mancester United when they beat Nottingham Forest in the League Cup final.

#3 1992-1994: The Wonder Kid

"I think Ryan Giggs must be the best player in England. He is outstanding. Any team in the world would love to have him." – John Jensen, former Arsenal defender

Giggs was a regular starter for the first team despite being only 17 and by the start of the 1992-1993 season, he had ousted Lee Sharpe to become United’s first choice left winger and was recommended as one of English football’s best emerging talents along with Steve Mcmanaman. He helped Manchester United win their first Premier League title in 26 years.

His development along with Eric Cantona’s arrival helped United establish their dominance in the Premier League. Giggs won the PFA Young Player of the Year award in 1994 and was the first player to win it consecutively. United won the Premier League that season and the double in the 1993-1994 season with Giggs playing a key role alongside Eric Cantona, Paul Ince and Mark Hughes.

He was also one of the first footballers who were given a celebrity status off the pitch, appearing in his own TV series in 1994 and also had a book based on the series. His popularity was compared to that of cub legend, George Best.

#4 1994-1996

““He has achieved so much, but he is still years away from his prime, a frightening concept for defenders.” – Tommy Docherty, Former Scottish and Preston North End player

Giggs played only 29 games in the Premier League and scored 1 goal in the 1994-1995 but managed to recover and regain his form at the end of the season. Manchester United lost the Premier League title to Blackburn and lost the FA Cup Final to Everton. He managed to score 4 goals in all competitions that seaon.

Next season, Giggs regained form and was critical to Manchester United overhauling Newcastle United to win the Premier League. His goal against Everton was nominated for Goal of the Season. United completed the double after beating Liverpool in the FA Cup final.

Alongside Nicky Butt, who replaced Paul Ince, Andrei Kanchelskis, and Roy Keane, Giggs had become a critical part of Manchester United’s new look team.

#5 1996-1999

“This is embarrassing to say but I have cried twice in my life watching a football player; the first one was Roberto Baggio and the second was Ryan Giggs." – Alessandro Del Piero, Juventus Legend

Manchester United reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League during the 1996-1997 for the first time in 28 years but lost to Borussia Dortmund. It was at the end of this season that Alessandro Del Pierro made the above memorable quote.

The 1997-1998 season was disappointing for United as they failed to win a trophy for only the second time since 1989. 1998 -1999 was Manchester United’s most memorable seaon and probably Giggs’ as well, and although he had injury setbacks, he played excellently when given the chance and played in both of United’s finals.

He scored one of the most memorable goals ever in the FA Cup final against Arsenal in 1999. The goal is awe-inspiring as during extra time, with United down to 10 men, Giggs recieved the ball in his own half, skipped past a highly valued Arsenal defence and scored to win the FA Cup for Manchester United.

He also assisted Teddy Sheringham’s equaliser during the Champions League Final win against Bayern Munich.

#6 1999-2003

"His talent is God-given.He will have wonderful skill even when he's got his bus pass, because that sort of ability never deserts you." Brian Kidd, former Manchester United and current Manchester City assistant coach

United went on to win the League title for the second season in the 1999-2000 season and Giggs was already a club legend. In 2001-2002, Giggs celebrated 10 years at the club with a testimonial at the start of the season.

Arsenal beat United to the title that season but Giggs and Ferguson were determined to win it back and did so the following season. It was United’s 15th League title and Giggs became their longest serving player after Denis Irwin left in May 2002.

He scored his 100th goal for the club in 2002 against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

#7 2003-2008

In 2004, Giggs played and won his 4th FA Cup final and became only the 2nd player to do so after Roy Keane. He was a pivotal part of the club and he played his 600th game for the club against Liverpool in 2004 and was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame in 2005.

After a 4 year gap, Manchester United won the Premier League title in the 2006-2007 season. This meant that Giggs broke yet another record by winning 9 League titles. He scored his 100th goal for Manchester United on December 2007. He matched Bobby Charlton’s appearance record on 11 May 2008 against Everton and scored the match winning goal that made United Champions again.

10 days later, he broke Bobby Charlton’s record and made his 759th appearance for the club during the 2008 Champions League final against Chelsea which United eventually won after beating Chelsea on penalties with Giggs converting the winning penalty in a sudden death situation.

#8 2008-2010

"When he's at the top of his game, there's not a team in the world that can handle Giggs' speed and penetration." – Sir Alex Ferguson

Giggs started playing a central role for Manchester United during the 2008-2009 campaign with Sir Alex Ferguson hoping to make him a key player as he turned 35 that year. After a spectacular season in 2009, Giggs along with 4 of his teammates were nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award and went on to win it. United won the their 18th Premier League title, equalling Liverpool’s record.

Giggs scored his 150th goal for United in the first Champions League game of the 2009-2010 season. He was nominated for BBC Sports Personality of the Year and won the award later that season and broke Gary Speed’s record of 535 Premier League appearances. He was named Manchester United’s Player of the decade in December 2009.

Giggs scored his first penaties in the Premier League in 2010 against Tottenham Hotspur in a 3-1 win for Manchester United.

#9 2010-2013

"I didn't become a footballer to be famous, I became a footballer to be successful. I didn't want to be famous. Now people want to be famous. Why? Why would you want people following you about all day? I couldn't think of anything worse." – Ryan Giggs on his fame

Giggs continued his record of scoring in 21 consecutive top flight seasons after scoring against Newcastle United in 2010. He made his record 607th appearance in the Premier League later that season when he faced Liverpool.

He scored against Schalke later that season to become the Champions League’s oldest scorer, a record that he himself beat in the 2011-2012 season. He also became the first player to score in 16 different Champions League campaigns.

He made his 900th appearance for the club the next season, where he scored the winning goal against Norwich City. He extended his record of scoring in 23 domestic seasons after scoring against Everton in the 2012-2013 season.

Manchester United went on to win the league after which Giggs’ long time manager and mentor Sir Alex Ferguson retired. His long time teammate Paul Scholes also retired for the second time.

#10 2014

"I have always considered myself to be very fortunate. To play for the biggest club in the world, which also happens to be the team I supported as a boy, means I have never had to consider changing away from Manchester United." – Ryan Giggs

He signed a new contract on March 1 2013 but had a disappointing season under new manager David Moyes, scoring 0 goals in 22 appearances for the club and failing to extend his record of scoring in every League season. He was appointed as the club’s interim manager after David Moyes was sacked in April 2014.

Manchester United won their first game under Giggs, 4-0 and the biggest difference between him and Moyes could be summed up using Giggs’ own words before the game against Norwich when he said “I trust them (the players).”

He made his 963rd and final appearance as a player for Manchester United against Hull City at Old Trafford speech which also marked long time captain Nemanja Vidic’s departure. Both of them gave emotional speeches and thanked the fans for their support.

He recieved Manchester United’s first ever Lifetime Achievement Award at the club’s end of season awards with many football legends paying tribute to the Welshman. He has won 34 trophies with the club scoring 109 goals.

#11 Retirement and Assistant Manager

Giggs announced his retirement on May 19 2014 in an open letter to the clubs’ supporters saying “ I am immensely proud, honored and fortunate to have represented the biggest club in the world 963 times and Wales 64 times.

My dream was always to play for Manchester United, and although it saddens me to know I won’t be pulling on a United jersey again as a player, I have been lucky enough to have fulfilled that dream playing with some of the best players in the world, working under an incredible manager in Sir Alex Ferguson, and most of all, playing for the greatest fans in world football. I have always felt and appreciated your support.”

He is set to continue serving the club as assistant manager under new manager, Louis van Gaal. Many football legends took to social media to pay tribute to the legend including FIFA President Sepp Blatter and Olympic Gold Medal winning runner Usain Bolt.

He retires with a stunning statistic of a trophy every 28 games he played for Manchester United.

https://twitter.com/SeppBlatter/status/468408607173001216/photo/1

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Edited by Staff Editor