Ryan Giggs returns on Sunday to the city of his birth
— five days before he turns 40 — as Manchester United visit Cardiff,
but it was on the green fields of Salford that his remarkable career was
forged.
His potential was identified first by a milkman shortly after he moved to Swinton from Wales with his parents and younger brother, Rhodri.
But even Dennis Schofield could not have predicted that 32 years later, that whippet-quick eight-year-old patrolling the left wing for Grosvenor Road Primary School would still be playing at the top level.
Giggs’s longevity is underlined by a roll call of achievement with United: 13 Premier League titles, four FA Cups, four League Cups, two Champions Leagues and 168 goals in 951 games.
United manager David Moyes says Giggs is comfortably fit enough to carry on playing next season, though a decision on retirement will be left to the player himself.
‘I don’t know what Ryan thinks (about next season) — but he doesn’t look like someone who is suddenly going to drop considerably,’ said Moyes. ‘He will know himself when it’s time.’
He also hailed Giggs as the best player in the Premier League era.
Moyes added: 'The Premier League has seen some outstanding players but because of his age and longevity at one club, he stands out as the best.
'This league has been blessed with brilliant players but if there was a poll, I would be surprised if Ryan didn't come out on top. He's incredible.'
He was the first among the United players to work yoga into his training plan. But Eric Harrison, the former United youth-team coach credited with nurturing the class of ’92, thinks it was ballet that may have saved his career.
‘A ballet teacher used to come in and he worked on the stretching and muscle-strengthening exercise programme she devised,’ said Harrison. ‘That, for me, was a real turning point after he’d been having hamstring problems. He became virtually injury free and it did him the world of good.’
Even now, Giggs attends classes. ‘It is wonderful just being able to train every day and feeling good,’ he said.
His potential was identified first by a milkman shortly after he moved to Swinton from Wales with his parents and younger brother, Rhodri.
But even Dennis Schofield could not have predicted that 32 years later, that whippet-quick eight-year-old patrolling the left wing for Grosvenor Road Primary School would still be playing at the top level.
Giggs’s longevity is underlined by a roll call of achievement with United: 13 Premier League titles, four FA Cups, four League Cups, two Champions Leagues and 168 goals in 951 games.
United manager David Moyes says Giggs is comfortably fit enough to carry on playing next season, though a decision on retirement will be left to the player himself.
‘I don’t know what Ryan thinks (about next season) — but he doesn’t look like someone who is suddenly going to drop considerably,’ said Moyes. ‘He will know himself when it’s time.’
He also hailed Giggs as the best player in the Premier League era.
Moyes added: 'The Premier League has seen some outstanding players but because of his age and longevity at one club, he stands out as the best.
'This league has been blessed with brilliant players but if there was a poll, I would be surprised if Ryan didn't come out on top. He's incredible.'
He was the first among the United players to work yoga into his training plan. But Eric Harrison, the former United youth-team coach credited with nurturing the class of ’92, thinks it was ballet that may have saved his career.
‘A ballet teacher used to come in and he worked on the stretching and muscle-strengthening exercise programme she devised,’ said Harrison. ‘That, for me, was a real turning point after he’d been having hamstring problems. He became virtually injury free and it did him the world of good.’
Even now, Giggs attends classes. ‘It is wonderful just being able to train every day and feeling good,’ he said.
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