Advertisement
veteran

19 reasons why Ryan Giggs is a footballing legend

We pay tribute to the Manchester United star, who turns 40 tomorrow.

1. His goal against Arsenal

YouTube credit: Jordan Long

2. Gary Lineker played against him

image

3. Giggs had been playing first-team football at United for four years when Adnan Januzaj was born

image(Martin Rickett/PA Archive/Press Association Images)

4. His very manly chest

image(Mike Egerton/EMPICS Sport)

5. His Secrets and Skills video

YouTube credit: chongsiu2000

6. His surprise Countdown appearance

YouTube credit: Beanyman62Sports

7. His mentoring of a young Danny Welbeck

YouTube credit: Beanyman62Sports

8. His career provides endless scope for montages

YouTube credit: stevenjvd

9. He has made more Champions League appearances than any other player

image(Martin Meissner/AP/Press Association Images)

10. Even as a youngster, he was scoring incredible goals

YouTube credit: MU FC

11. His emotional reaction to United winning the league in 2013/Ferguson retiring

image(Mike Egerton/EMPICS Sport)

12. He’s a big fan of the current Ireland assistant boss

YouTube credit: RyanGiggsOBE

(From 1.10 onwards)

13. He was around when black-and-white photographs were still being taken

image(Mike Brett/Mike Brett/Press Association Images)

14. His unique celebrations with Incey

image(Neal Simpson/EMPICS Sport)

15. Himself and Scholes were a combined age of 75 when they were both in the team at one point

image(Eamonn & James Clarke/Eamonn and James Clarke/EMPICS Entertainment)

16. He was part of the famous Class of 92

image(Eamonn and James Clarke/Eamonn and James Clarke/EMPICS Entertainment)

17. Alessandro Del Piero once famously said that watching Giggs made him cry

image(Matthew Ashton/EMPICS Sport)

18. The hard evidence for Giggs' greatness

Giggs has made 955 appearances for United since his debut in 1991. He has the record number of Premier League winner's medals -- 13, the most Champions League campaigns -- 20, the most Premier League appearances and most appearances for one club -- 666, he has appeared in the most seasons -- 22, the first player to be named Young Player of the Year two seasons in a row, the most consecutive seasons to score at least one goal -- 21. He is also 19th in the list of all-time Premier League scorers -- 114 goals (168 overall). He has won 4 FA Cups, 4 League Cups, 2 Champions Leagues.

19. Despite turning 40, we still think of him as 'the boy wonder'

image(John Marsh/EMPICS Sport)

It’s Ryan Giggs’ birthday this week, so here’s a look back at his first-ever United goal>

Is this the worst open-goal miss you’ve ever seen?>

Your Voice
Readers Comments
84
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.