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Ryan Giggs: Tearing you apart since 1991
Dylan Arvela
Roar Guru
21st May, 2014
12
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Ryan Giggs, the right-hand man to Louis Van Gaal at Manchester United in 2014-15.
Dylan Arvela
Roar Guru
21st May, 2014
12

Look at Ryan Giggs’ numbers: 963 appearances, 168 goals, 34 trophies, 23 years, one club. It is astonishing, incredible and it will never happen again.

Born in Cardiff in 1973, Ryan Giggs began his youth career at Manchester City in 1985 before moving to Manchester United in 1987.

He progressed through the youth system there before making his goal-scoring senior debut against Everton in 1991.

What began on that night over two decades ago was a career that defied logic and was unlike any other professional football career. There have been many one-club players, but who have churned out top-class performances for the biggest club in the world well into their late 30s.

It is mind-boggling to think that Ryan Giggs had already won seven trophies before I was born.

I never really had an understanding of the role that Ryan Giggs had in football until I was about 14 or 15. By that stage Giggs would have been 35 years old. At that age, most footballers would have been a season or so into retirement, but not the Welsh Wizard.

He made more than 20 appearances per season for his entire career, except for his last season of 12. Each season he kept putting in when the team needed him most. In the latter stages it was the big matches where he made his mark, showing experience and class to outwit players a decade his junior.

His name was made on the flanks of Old Trafford, but as his pace diminished his role in the team changed and he began to be deployed in a more central role. It is clear that Giggs took a note out of former teammate Paul Scholes’ book on how to control a midfield.

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Giggs had a bigger influence on Manchester United in the second half of his career, and that is a big statement for a player who clearly had such a brilliant first decade in football.

The dwindling outings near the end of his career were inspiring because he was more often than not the best player on the field.

I imagine his only major regret in football would be not being able to turn out in a major international tournament for his nation of Wales. He came close in his 64-cap career, but was never surrounded by the right talent. A Giggs in his 20s would help the current crop of Welsh players.

His four-game stint as Manchester United manager this season will prove to be vital. There was a dour mood around Old Trafford, and his presence for that short period of time will make Louis van Gaal’s task easier.

While he will not be pulling on the boots, he has been announced as the assistant to the incoming Dutchman and will surely be an integral part in any potential success. He would also have to be a favourite to become the next manager once Van Gaal departs from Old Trafford.

It is an emotional time to be a Manchester United supporter and Ryan Giggs’ retirement has added to the sense of change, but change seems to be in order to move forward for the club.

I am sure that Ryan Giggs’ role at the club will only increase now he steps into his new leadership role. May the legend continue.

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