Giggs joins the elite

September 22, 2004

GIGGS: Milestone

RYAN Giggs became a member of an exclusive Manchester United club on Monday night when he made his 600th appearance for the Reds against Liverpool.

The Welshman, who'll be 31 in November, joins Sir Bobby Charlton and Bill Foulkes in the elite trio of United players who've played 600-plus matches in their Old Trafford careers.

From his first appearance as a 17-year-old substitute in March 1991 against Everton to Monday's landmark the Welshman has a fund of memories.

To mark the milestone in an exclusive interview with ManUtd.com, the winger reflects on his top six best moments in a Red shirt:

May 5, 1991, Division One: United 1 Manchester City 0 (h) - The Full Debut

"The main memory I have of that day is when the manager read out the team about an hour and a half before kick-off and said my name! I always try to listen at the gaffer's team-talks but I wasn't too sure what he'd said at that point. I thought I'd have been one of the subs, but from then on I was pretty nervous up until kick-off.

"I think my goal was an own goal and if it had happened in this day and age, I think it would be down as an og. But the record books say it's my goal, so I'll take it!"

May 3, 1993, Premiership: United 3 Blackburn Rovers 1 (h) - The Title Returns Home

"The result didn't seem to matter because we were already champions, but when you get out on the pitch you want to win no matter what. A few of the other lads had sore heads from Steve Bruce's party the night before, but Blackburn's goal gave us a bit of wake-up call.

"The free-kick I scored was probably the best I've ever scored and thankfully it got us back into the game because we knew we couldn't lose. Along with the Champions League final, it was probably the greatest moment of my life."

October 1,1997, Champions League: United 3 Juventus 2 (h)

"This was definitely a significant result for us because Juventus had consistently been the best team in the Champions League over that two or three-year period. We'd played them a couple of times before that game and they'd beaten us home and away.

"I remember having a stinker in Turin the season before and the manager brought me off at half-time. So I was determined to do well in this game.

"I think it was probably one of my best European performances for United and the goal was just instinctive. I beat a couple of their men and before I knew it I was in the box and at that stage I was only thinking of one thing - shooting!"

April 14, 1999, FA Cup Semi-Final Replay: United 2 Arsenal 1 (Villa Park)

"That night was full of mixed emotions for me, to be honest. I was obviously very proud to have scored the goal, but shortly afterwards I picked up an Achilles injury and I ended up leaving the ground on crutches.

"I didn't know the goal was anything like it was; I thought I'd picked it up about thirty yards out, beat one, maybe two men and scored. I didn't actually realise that I'd got it on the halfway line and beat three or four players until I got home and watched it on television! I do cringe a little bit when I see the celebration but sometimes when you score you just don't know what you're doing. The funny thing was the fans that ran onto the pitch were a few of my mates. It was weird seeing fans coming towards you and then the next minute getting kissed on the cheek by your mate!

"I think that game gave us the belief to go on and beat Juventus and eventually do the Treble."

May 26, 1999, Champions League: United 2 Bayern Munich 1 (Nou Camp)

"I can remember the game quite clearly but the last five minutes are definitely a blur. After scoring the goal so late, I think we all thought, right, we can go and beat these in extra time. But then a minute later we get a corner and score again. Looking back, it's a good job my right foot isn't the best otherwise I would never have been able to put that great pass through to Teddy for the equaliser!

"The moment at the final whistle was weird. Since I was a youngster I've seen players win the FA Cup and cry and I could never understand it. But as soon as the referee blew the final whistle in the Nou Camp I just went; there was nothing I could do about it." .

August 8, 2001, Testimonial: United 3 Celtic 4

"The whole year was full of dinners, golf days and other things, but the game was the pinnacle for me. It was a great night but very weird at the same time because everything is all about you."

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The Professor, Wirral (22/09/2004 at 11:27)

Sincere congratulations, Ryan, that's one hell of an achievement.

Simon, Cromwell Road M/cr (22/09/2004 at 11:57)

It`s been a thrill to watch you all these years Ryan! Still remember your debut against Everton, and I thought "he is going to be something special". I was right!!! Thanks for everything, and keep up with the play you showed against the scousers!

Big Bird, Salford (22/09/2004 at 11:58)

Although I agree its a great achievement for Giggsy I`m gonna rock the boat by asking one point. Should he ever have made the 600 mark?

"GEORGE", RHYL (22/09/2004 at 13:05)

For anyone to have been picked by SIR ALEX FERGUSON 600times must be a hell of a player.Memory:Peter schmeichel saved a Denis Bergkamp in the last minute to keep the treble hope which was barely alive after Keano had been sent off and Arsenal had us on the rack.I can remember thinking we need something special a wonder goal, a piece of magic from somewhere,and I thought about the players on the pitch.In that hemmed in situation I said to my brother at the time we've only got Giggsy who can do it....and lo and behold Giggsy did do it and it was absolutely fantastic.What a season what a goal...I'm jumping off the chair still just thinking about it.THANKS...THANKS........THANKS

khaled mahmood, bangladesh (22/09/2004 at 13:32)

600 games is probably about 100 too many. He has been an all time great, but in reality this legendary status has artificially prolonged his career at O.T. You only have to look at Ronaldo to realise how much Giggs has deteriorated in recent years. The trouble is when this decline is gradual it is harder to recognise. Lets be honest, we are all still waiting for another Arsenal F.A. Cup Semi Final goal, a feat which Ronaldo is quite capable of but unfortuanetely Giggs is no longer. Giggs can still jink but he can't skip round a defender and leave him behind, as he once could. The Becks, Keane, Scholes, Giggs midfield was always going to become too old round about now, but only Becks has been replaced with a younger world class player (Ronaldo), the other 3 are growing older an less effective game by game. The trouble is they are all still first choice players so as they become less effective, so to does our midfield.

Wickardo, Redsville (22/09/2004 at 13:34)

I met Ryan two weeks ago in the Living Room in Manchester city centre. I tried to find some excuse to talk to him without being a a pain in the backside and interupting his evening. Bearing in mind there have been plenty of times over his career when i've thought he could do more - right foot for instance, and the way he back-chats the ref all the time. But being in his presence made my knees turn to jelly, the way they did when going to see the boys train at the Cliff when i was much younger. I went over, shook him by the hand and told him he was a living legend. I think that summed it up ok and didn't get on his nerves too much. It's has been the greatest of pleasures to watch the best left winger I have ever seen for so long. Twice the player Beckham ever was. More performances like Liverpool and he can stick around for another few years yet. Legend.

mcs, adlington, lancs (22/09/2004 at 13:35)

Fantastic achievement Giggsy, you've been a pleasure to watch over the years & hopefully for many more. I'll take the '99' FA cup goal with me to the grave, just sublime!
If possible could we please have a similar one in this years
Champs League Final, Thanks!
"RYAN GIGGS, RYAN GIGGS RUNNING DOWN THE WING"
Come on join in everybody!

colin, canada (22/09/2004 at 14:01)

Folks, are there any similarities between Giggs first year and Ronaldo's. Going forward, Ronaldo's size has to be a factor given his ability to head a ball.
It seems to me that Ryan has always been a very direct player inasmuch as he would beat a couple of players then deliver the cross immediately. Ronaldo has yet to learn this as the box is packed by the time he gets the ball over.
Giddsy is my favourite but Ronaldo's future (if he keeps his feet on the ground) is limitless.
Magnificent career.

colin, canada (22/09/2004 at 14:06)

Wickardo, I've learned over the years that shaking their hand is much better than the autograph. I think they appreciate it more and they certainly appreciate the remarks. I chased David Duval for his autograph a couple of weeks ago and felt like a right pillock at the end.
Good post.

Jack, Manchester (22/09/2004 at 14:41)

For those who have nothing nice to say about Giggs. please do not reply to this post. Please show respect to this great player who has dedicated his career at just one club. It's a great achievement. If you don't agree, that is your opinion. Please keep it to yourself.

Manc Abroad, OT (22/09/2004 at 14:46)

Great achievment, considering the amount of games he missed with ligament problems during his career. Brilliant goal againt the Gooners, BUT I do not beileve he ever reached his full potential. Ronaldo has greatness written all over him, I just hope that in 15 years time we can say that he is truley one of the all time greats!

Vladimir Lenin, Moscow (22/09/2004 at 15:02)

Totally agree with Comrade Jackski in the Free Democratic Workers Peoples Republic of Manchester. This is not a sight for free speech, do what you`re told or else! Giggs is a living hero who must be worshipped. He has never had a bad game, has always given us 100% and is probably our greatest player ever! Power the people!

khaled mahmood, bangladesh (22/09/2004 at 15:11)

Jack, I hope you are not refering to me. I am not saying un"nice" things about Giggs (if you READ my post I refer to him as an "all time great " and as having "legendary" status). I am merely saying he (amongst others) is not the player he used to be, and that impacts on the team. I often say on this site that if players didn't get old we'd still have Bobby Charlton in the side (depending on wether Sir Alex would pick him infront of John O'shea or not).

Big Bird, Salford (22/09/2004 at 15:18)

Very funny Lenin and Jack lighten up, no-one is above criticism.

Frank, Old Trafford (22/09/2004 at 16:28)

He is a living legend, more than anyone he represents the glory years. I criticised him for the first time after the bolton game, sorry ryan won't do it again. If SAF picks him then blame SAF. I hope he proves his doubters wrong and turns in some really great performances as he has done over the years. I remember in rotterdam he was on the bench, everyone was talking about him and he hadn't even played a game. Fantastic achievement and very well deserved!! To slag him off is to lower ourselves to the level of chelski fans, no honour, dignity or pride. By the way who are shawadywady and what position did Cochran play?

Mark, Paris (22/09/2004 at 17:31)

Wickardo I know what you mean! I found myself one night about 11 years ago having a slash beside him in the bogs of La Tasca on Deansgate. He was happy to have a natter about the next match and in general is just a sound, ordinary bloke. I have never celebrated a goal so much as the one he scored against Arsenal. Thinking about his debut against Everton in March '91, when we got soundly beaten 2-0 but were starting to think about getting a decent side together, it reminds you that Giggsy has been through it all over the last 13 years. His form may have been a bit dodgy at times and some people will argue that he never really fulfilled his potential, but he will be a United legend in my eyes, so much more because he bleeds red, white and black.

Duncan, London (22/09/2004 at 17:59)

Wonderful achievement Ryan, you have given us the best moments in Man United's great run. Big Bird, there is a time and a plce to be critical, and celebrating his 600th game is neither the time nor the place. Khaled, you said he played 100 games more than he should've - if that's not critical I'm going to have to buy a new dictionary (or you will).

MT, London (22/09/2004 at 21:28)

Khaled: for so long I have chosen to ignore your posts (skip them whenever your name came up), because it was irritating to read mails from someone who is out there to seek attentions by putting out, to put it mildly, imbalanced views. But for once, and once only, I will take you on the comments about Giggs. You said "he can't (no longer) skip round a defender..". Let me wind your memory only a few matches back in Austria. On that night, Giggs collected the ball from just outside our own box, ran the length of the pitch to round pass the defender and the goalkeeper and scored the equaliser. A critical reason why our midfield has lost its gloss was because, as someone pointed out elsewhere in this website recently, SAF changed the 442 formation into a 451 system. In a 451 system, the midfielders have significantly less targets upfront to bring the ball forward to. As a result, balls were passing between the midfielders in the middle of the park instead into the opposition box. On Monday night I watched countless times our midfielders hold the ball near the half line, not knowing where to punch the front (with the exception of that genius Ronnie who is on a class of his own). We had over 60% of the possession but we couldn't score (until the set-pieces). Another critical factor affecting our midfield's performance was the frequent changes to the midfield formation. Can you count how many times Ryan, Paul and Roy have played together last season and this? and for that matter, how many times had we have the same midfield?

John Lynch, Proginet, NY (23/09/2004 at 03:56)

Ryan Giggs is one of the best players of the modern era. He is certainly among the best wingers ever - anywhere in the world. Giggs at pace, dribbling past defender after defender after defender has been a joy to watch. FA CUP - Semi-Final MAN UTD VS Arsenal as just one example.

Has he always been as consistent as he could? NO - and that is his ONLY failing.

Fans who criticize GIGGS for no real reason and advocate his "sale" for no real reason are clueless; GIGGS will continue to drive UNITED. Older maybe,
slower maybe, stands tall today and forever.

I've always said that UNITED should get DUFF - and I say it again here. Duff & Giggs on the (L) with Ronaldo on the (R) would make a powerful force to feed RVN/Smith/Saha/Rooney

skh, Malaysia (23/09/2004 at 04:47)

Khaled has a point.Giggs had been playing poorly most of the time for the past three seasons and the reason for that is simply that Giggs has lost his pace which is something he relies on to beat opponents.He is no George Best or Gordon Hill.If not for the unfortunate injury sustained by Blooquist it is unlikely that Giggs would have made the 600th appearance.

Celtic Mad, Glasgow (23/09/2004 at 09:40)

600 games how many goals? it shows the sad state of the manager, who has turned down the chance to sign a real class winger when he has persisted with Giggs who for the last three years has just been a none entity.

Khaled Mamood, Bangladesh (23/09/2004 at 09:51)

Ryan Giggs has never been Elite just an above average player now he is just an average player,if you want to know the difference,look at Best,Rooney,Ronaldoand probably Rossi who at 16 is already better than Giggs ever was.Fergie has a blind loyalty to certain players at a cost to United.

Blue moon, Manchester (23/09/2004 at 10:20)

We keep hearing of his wonder goal best got lots of wonder goals.
What about the goal he missed against Arsenal from one yard out.Giggs is rubbish a one foot wonder.

Kevin, Tralee, Eire (23/09/2004 at 10:59)

Blue Moon you call Giggs rubbish? 2 words for you mate Steve McManaman!! Now take your crayons & go back to your own citeh site little boy & leave the grown-ups talk

Pro-rata, Huddersfield (23/09/2004 at 11:16)

It is right to congratulate, but I do not object to the debate. But for now I am happy to see one the numerous great players to wear the shirt, and with such pride, reach 600. A man who still contributes important goals and assists in volume in late 2004, a man whose consistency sees him vary from unbelievable to average but who cannot be ruled out to produce the winning cross even on a poor day, a man whose demeanour and hands-on-hips ire on the pitch do not always endear and are not always well directed but do speak of his desire and his unwillingness just to accept failure placidly, a man who with the correct understudies to compete for his place can have a role at United for another 3 years, even if that does not mean starting every week, a man to whom Vieira gave the ball and who came on to rip Juve to shreds amongst many things.

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