Short description
Ryan Giggs is the ultimate Manchester United legend. The most decorated player in English football history, with 11 Premier League titles, two Champions League victories and four FA Cup winner's medals to his name, Giggs is truly an astonishing player with an unparalleled football career.
Long description
Born Ryan Joseph Wilson in 1973, Giggs first trained with Manchester City's School of Excellence before Sir Alex Ferguson spotted his prodigious talent, turning up at Giggs's home to sign him on his 14th birthday. By the time he made his Manchester United first team debut aged just 17, many considered him to be the greatest talent in English football since George Best. By the advent of the Premier League in 1992, Giggs was firmly established as United's left winger, a position he continued to dominate until late in his career when Ferguson switched him to a deeper role in central midfield. Famed for his pace and skill on the ball, Giggs has scored vital goals throughout his career, most notably his incredible solo effort in the 1999 FA Cup semi-final replay against Arsenal, where he picked the ball up in his own half and embarked on a mazy run around the entire Arsenal back four before lofting the ball into the net. He was an integral part of the historic Treble-winning side in 1999, and is the only Manchester United player to have played in both the 1999 and 2008 Champions League victories. Having committed his entire career to United, Giggs eclipsed Bobby Charlton's record in April 2009, when he made his 800th appearance for the club. That year also brought his 11th Premier League winner's medal - he is the only player to have scored in every Premier League campaign since its inception - and the PFA Player of the Year award. Giggs has scored nearly 150 goals for United and his incredible record with the club has ensured that he will go down in history as one of United's greatest ever players. This is the amazing story of Manchester United's legendary number 11.