Web Hosting by Netfirms | Free Domain Names by Netfirms

Ryan Giggs

Full Name	Ryan Joseph Giggs
Position	Winger / Left Midfield
Squad Number	11
Date of Birth	29th November 1973
Place of Birth	Cardiff Wales
Height	5' 11''
Weight	10st 10
United Debut	2/3/1991 (H) Everton
Transfer Fee	N/A
International	32 Caps - 7 goals

Career History
Ryan Giggs would not have been a United prodigy, for he played for Manchester City until he was fourteen years old but City gave up the chance to sign him. Alex Ferguson quickly intervened taking him across town to United and City have cursing themselves ever since.

His League debut for Manchester United came on 2nd March 1991, against Everton at Old Trafford, as a substitute for Denis Irwin. His first League start was in the Manchester derby at Old Trafford at the end of the same season, where he scored the only goal of the match. Giggs soon made the left-wing position his own, scoring stunning goals against Spurs in 1993 and QPR in 1994.

After winning the title in 1993, Giggs helped United to the Double in 1994, 1996 and a further title in 1997. He played superbly in Champions League games against Porto and Juventus in 1997. He was the first player to have won the PFA Young Player of the Year twice and is the youngest ever player to play for Wales at the age of 17 years and 321 days, when he came on as a substitute against West Germany.

Giggs is one of the current most talented players, his devastating speed on the wing with unrivalled skill makes him one of the crown jewels of United. His lightning speed runs with the ball scares the hell out of opponents and contribute to making United one of the world's most exciting teams to watch. As well as his dribbling skills his crossing from the wings is even more deadly.

Giggs' skill were highlighted in his "Wonder-goal" against Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final replay. A truly breathtaking moment in an epic match that ranks with the greatest goals of all time. As well as his great attacking talents, what is often less noted, is Giggs' high work rate, tireless off-the ball runs and backtracking. Despite being successful and hugely talented, Giggs rarely faces abuse from rival fans, even they can respect footballing genius when they see it.

Recent History
The 1998-99 season was perhaps not even one of his best, as injury forced him to miss some vital games. Still, there were highlights such as the above mentioned "Wonder goal", a lovely goal against Notts Forest, two goals against Brondby and his last minute equaliser against Juventus. Not to mention getting his hands on the Premier League, FA Cup and European Cup with United's amazing end to the season.

Not that he was bad in the first part but Ryan Giggs was absolutely superb in the second part of the 1999-2000 season. He was back to his very best, torturing opposition defenders with dazzling mazy runs and bursts of pace. It was almost a return to the early and mid 90's when Giggs' game was all about running at players with skill and pace.

He had focused on becoming a much better all-round player in recent years but this season he found a greater willingness to take players on again playing more as a classic winger. This is his greatest ability of all and the one which frightens the hell out of defences the world over. There was no wonder goal this time but he did score important goals and the highlights were performances away to West Ham, Middlesbrough, Wimbledon (where he did an amazing 70 yard run) and home to Fiorentina, Valencia.

One of the highlights of season 2000-2001 was an audacious 55-yard volley from Giggs at Charlton in which he ball crashed onto the bar for Solskjaer to score. It was around the Winter stage of the season that Giggs was at his spectacular best as he terrorised defences and helped create goals for others. Giggs scored a superb goal at Bradford, a great strike late at Sturm Graz and was on the top of his game.

However, reoccurrence of that cursed hamstring injury in Febuary meant he was not at full fitness for the cruical first Quarter-final clash with Bayern Munich although he did score with an excellent chip in the second leg. A new 5 year contract means his awesome talents will be at Old Trafford until 2006. The Premiership success is his seventh championship medal, one more and he will equal Phil Neal's all-time record of eight.