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Updated: 23/02/2012 10:50 | By ESPNsoccernet staff, www.espn.co.uk

Giggs is one of a kind - Sir Alex



Ryan Giggs takes part in a Manchester United training session, Carrington, Manchester, February 10, 2012

Ryan Giggs made his league debut in 1991

Sir Alex Ferguson believes no player will match the staying power and achievements of Ryan Giggs as the Manchester United winger prepares to make his 900th appearance for the club.

Giggs, 38, may record the milestone during United's last-32 Europa League clash against Ajax at Old Trafford on Thursday. Ferguson, who signed the Welshman as a schoolboy 24 years ago, insists Giggs has improved with age and sees no sign of him slowing down after recently signing a one-year contract extension.

"It is my personal view, and not everyone will agree with me because we all have our favourites, that even if you take away the longevity, being in the Premier League for as long as he has, achieving what he has; no other player will do it," Ferguson said.

"His use of the ball has got better with age. Changing his position to play in a more central area has given a different aspect to his game.

"We always remember what Ryan was famous for, going up and down that touchline, running at full-backs with great balance and speed. Today it is a different Ryan Giggs. He still has that change of pace and a wonderful balance but he is not as quick as he was 10 years ago and has looked at his game a different way."

Giggs' achievement comes nearly four years after moving past Sir Bobby Charlton's appearance record for United in the 2008 Champions League final, and Ferguson revealed he has been surprised by the level of play maintained by his charge.

"It is amazing really," said Ferguson. "If you go back to Moscow, you are talking almost another 150 games further on.

"He keeps defying age. This season he has just been the same as he was back in Moscow. There is nothing changed from his performance level then as it is today."

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33Comments
23/02/2012 17:58
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I'm betting there isn't a footballer past or present who hasn't done something wrong in their life, it's just the degree of that misdemeanour that differs.

Paul Gascoigne made mistakes, George Best made mistakes but if you look at them purely as footballers they were awesomely talented...

...Giggs falls into the same category!

You always knew that as soon as SAF tried to make the point that as a footballer Ryan Giggs will probably have no equal, the idiots would come out of the woodwork and bring up his private life!

In much the same way that people who saw George Best play will tell you how lucky they were, all you anti-utd brigade should just be grateful you can tell your grandkids you were lucky enough to see Ryan Giggs still running rings round people aged 38! And leave it at that!

23/02/2012 16:17
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the unfortunate thing dj mud sticks and his career is blemished people will remember him as a great footballer like i will however you know the rest. ps i was not thinking you had no morals i was just saying IMAGINE.
23/02/2012 16:06
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@steven

You seem to think i find affairs acceptable and i have no morals...thats far from the truth
I think what giggs did to his brothers wife is disgusting...without doubt,i just didn't want to turn a thread relating to what he does on a pitch,into a debate,into morals and affairs of someones private life!
But it seem thats been you intention from the get go,all though i agree on the moral ground,i still believe,that shouldn't over shadow an almost unblemished  career at the highest level.

@Faye
I fully understand where your coming from,i don't think its acceptable from  either player.
but like i said above.

I appreciate your acknowledgementThumbs up
 
23/02/2012 15:47
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As I said DJ, "As a player, SAF is spot on."......... The point I was getting at was most people who say 'I don't give a to$$ what players do off the pitch' is they're usually the 1st too pipe up when it comes to  the opposition players, it's somehow 10 times worse if it's a (eg:Chelsea) player.  If you'd said 'don't give a monkeys, it's off the pitch stuff'. fair enough.  Sorry to single you out, was just making a point. Smile
23/02/2012 15:44
23/02/2012 15:43
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ps you say you could not careless what he did dont u think u should leave it at that rather than show your morallity.
23/02/2012 15:42
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there is no dispute about giggs being a great footballer that is exactly what he is as a human being hiding an affair an affair with a brothers wife that is the despicable part.as you say you just imagine your brother doing that to you  does not bear thinking does it.

 

23/02/2012 15:30
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@Faye

I never called anyone scum,dont put words in my mouth,i also never said theres any difference between someone who has an affair.
Your turning a thread relating to a players achievement's on the pitch,into a debate on a players private life.
I for one,aint gonna be judge nor jury on what i think giggs should and shouldn't do in his life.
thats for his wife,and family to deal with

Your just jumping the bandwagon with the rest ...i couldn't careless about terry to be honest,you asked my opinion,so i gave it,you was asking what about john terry then,referring to the man compaired...i stated theres a difference...also with the racism accusation!
And guess what? theres is...dont like my opinion? well don't ask me.
23/02/2012 15:18
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@steven birkenhead
You couldn't be more wrong....Miles off infact.

What part do you find so hard to get your head round?
I could careless what he did,number 1 its past,number 2 its his wifes problem,number 3
fergie is talking about the achievement's of a great footballer for what he's done and still
doing on a football pitch.

Most of you find it so hard to see beyond what he did,and are missing the point of the topic.
You worried ste? that he might come after yours? is that your problem with him.

23/02/2012 15:11
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No DJ it was his BROTHERS!!! Oh btw it was EX team mates EX misses, Bridge's a co ck for trying to dictate what she does after they've split anyway. idiot.

 

Like I said JT (and family) are to$$ers but your showing your hypocrisy (just like I thought you might) with your 'don't give a to$$ what my clubs players do but anyone else are scum!!' attitude.

 

 

23/02/2012 15:08
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dj jay explode i take it you have no brother and you are not married

 

23/02/2012 14:34
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Giggs will be a Sir one day. We will all remain inadequate to this living legend.
23/02/2012 14:23
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@Faye

Well even though jt's is of a similar nature,giggs didn't sleep with his
team mates wife,thus causing problems in the dressing room or on the pitch,i even hear paul terry followed in his footsteps,and sleeps with players misses! 
Also you have the accusation of JT with racism ... which is on another  level compared.
23/02/2012 14:20
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Can't help agreeing, Ferguson was talking about his FOOTBALLING abilities and longevity, if you want to talk diatribe about his moral values write to the Sunday Sport. The only non-football comments I would make about him are A/ 900 games and he still manages THAT MUCH sh---ing wow, that is proof of truly sensational fitness and B/ The scousers who constantly berate his morals (perhaps through a touch of jealousy) should go back to what they are best at, false benefit claims & stealing cars. If you want to pull a decent girl, put your shell suits in the wash lads!!
23/02/2012 14:19
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Strange how most other celebrities are judged on being all round human beings, mainly their failings as such, but footballers should be judged only on what they do on the pitch.
23/02/2012 14:16
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@ DJ, ON the pitch, I didn't disagree.

 

Would like to know what your opinion of JT is though?

23/02/2012 14:08
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Giggs is one of the most genuine footballers on the pitch
900games of pure loyalty ..unlike 90% of footballers nowadays,i pretty much doubt
it will be replicated by any footballer of this day and age!

Clowns trying to belittle his achievements,by bringin up a boring topic,thats been used at every opportunity to have a pop at what is without doubt... a class footballer.

I couldn't careless what giggs does in his private life.
I'm sure he isn't the first person to have an affair in the world,and for sure...wont be the last!
Get over it...you bitter idiots


23/02/2012 14:06
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what about him keeping it in his trousers or shorts, 

23/02/2012 14:01
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This article is about Giggs' footballing abilities and not about his sister-in-law's inability to  keep her knickers on.

 

Judge him on those phenomenal attributes not hers!

23/02/2012 13:35
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yeh your right fergy not many players would have it off with his brothers wife for years,yeh your defo right he is a one off barsteward.
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