He'll be 40 
Unbelievable.
Unbelievable.Sir Ryan Giggs
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1000 replies in this thread now before his 1000th career appearance
To hell with the Pele's and Maradonuts of this world.
To still be doing it at this level at the age 40 and winning matches for a club of United's size and stature is legendary.
#nowords
To still be doing it at this level at the age 40 and winning matches for a club of United's size and stature is legendary.
#nowords
Don't agree re: sentimentality. Don't underestimate how much Giggs can bring to the table.
If you view the club as a culture (and the manager's job as the torch bearer), built by Ferguson, then who better to continue what he has created.
More and more clubs are trying to imitate the Barcelona model - the way they treat the head coach's role as a throne, and there are internal people in line to it. People that bleed the colours of the club and who know what they are about, because the club is ingrained in them and them with it.
We're in a unique position at United, that we've had one man essentially build what we are today - and there's one man that's been there with him for the vast majority of that time, watching, learning, absorbing...and most importantly has the ability to develop this legacy.
Teams in years to come should be looking at the "Man Utd model", because nobody has been as consistently successful over 25 years.
Not saying that Giggs would be my first choice - but I certainly wouldn't complain if it happened (although I'd prefer him to have a year or two with the youth teams though).
No, it's typical Giggs. The fecker has mad skills and can turn them on and off like a facuet. When it's time for contract renewal he really turns it on.
Who is trying to imitate that? Chelsea, Madrid, Inter, Milan, PSG, Bayern, Dortmund, Liverpool, City, Spurs...pretty much all the big clubs about at the moment have got managers that have no ties to the club whatsoever. Juventus and Barcelona are surely two of the rare ones? Liverpool did that decades earlier of course.
Yeah, see your point. Didn't perhaps express myself clearly - I meant the Barcelona model (in general) is appealing and has gained them a lot of plaudits, but this encompasses a lot of things. Playing style, youth policy, hiring from within, fan ownership etc.
Just meant, that there's no reason why we shouldn't be the lead in terms of hiring from within, possibly starting with Giggsy in a couple of years.
I dont.
I dont mean to be dismissive, but if you strip out the romanticism of what you are saying, I dont think there is much substance to it. We are a football club, with some fairly spoilt supporters and a bloodthirsty media living off our backs like parasites. SAF didnt build the club, he has managed it for a long time but when he goes we will have to move on. In my opinion - and maybe I am wrong on that score, or too sensitive to the Busby comparison.
But fair play to you for your heightened sense of romanticism. I can see how wonderful it would be to have Giggs come in and do a "do a Guardiola". If I had a fair god mother offering me that now, I would take it. Who wouldnt? But in my experience and expectation life isnt like that. Great players dont always make great managers. There is no knowing Giggs would be anything like SAF temprementally. Of course you can say having been around SAF for years is a bonus. You could make the case that a player who has played under a selection of different managers would have a different advantage. Sure it wouldnt be "the United way", but what exactly is the United way, anyway? SAF has evolved over the years. We need to be flexible and move with the times.
Maybe I am coming across as too cynical, maybe you suspect Im plastic for being unable to get into your characterisation of our club and our manager. I just dont see it. I dont see it happening, and I think it would probably end badly if it did happen. Boring as it sounds, I hope we go for someone with experience.
Sir Alex was asked about Giggsy being manager in the presser and he didn't rule it out but he basically suggested working with the academy/reserves/coaching/assistant manager was the more likely path.
Abebesi: No, I see your points. And in my first post on this I did say that I'm not sure it would happen, nor that it would necessarily be my first choice. But if it did happen, and it's not completely out of the question I'm led to believe, then I wouldn't be against it. I'd be concerned, of course, but I think that whoever comes next will be a concern - for the simple fact they won't be Fergie.
As I said, in fantasyland, in fairytalesville, it is a lovely idea. If you coudl be guaranteed it worked out well, it would be the best possible scenario. I agree with that. A bit of romance in football is a wonderful thing. Its a pity there isnt more of it.
It doesnt exist. Hence me not advocating it.
There are no guarantees. So you have to play the percentages. Someone with experience would be more likely to work out IMO, so I would go with that option.
There are no guarantees. So you have to play the percentages. Someone with experience would be more likely to work out IMO, so I would go with that option.
Exactly what I was thinking. We mentioned Ole, Blanc, even Giggs or Neville, but who's actually doing that? None in England, Liverpool failed miserably with King Kenny. Not Pardew, not Moyes, not AVB, not Wenger, not Benitez, not Mancini.
In Spain I can only think of Atletico of the bigger expoents where they have Simeone who played for two seasons. At Barca they had Pepe and now Villanova, they didn't exactly created a model, Rijkaard, Antic, Van Gaal... None were players there.
Germany? Bayern brought Guardiola, Klopp only played for Mainz, Fink never played for Hamburg, Labbadia never played for Stutgart, Favre didn't for Mönchengladbach. They only have Schaaf that is kinda like their Giggs at Werder, and he started there in 99, so that's hardly following a trend.
Italy? Only Juve with Conte (a guy who you can say is a true Juventino), Mazzarri never player for Napoli, Allegri never played for Milan, Stramaccioni barely played at all, Petkovic didn't for Lazio, Andreazolli only came to Roma as an assistant.
This "Barça model" is not new, not so much of a model, and certainly didn't came from Barcelona, who appointed once in the last 10 or more years an ex-player and when he stepped down appointed his assistant.
Pleased for him,but tbh i was one who thought his time had come years ago,glad to be wrong.
Incredible, another year, I'll hold my hand up, I thought he was finished.
I really need to throw common sense out the window when it comes to the man, it's impossible. Never again will I say "He's 157 now, surely he can't keep going any longer, I reckon he should retire at the end of the season."
Where does he stand in history regarding appearances in a top level league in the world?
Maldini definitely had over 1000 games including internationals.
I know Peter Shilton played over 1000 league games alone which is completely unbeatable and will stand forever in England, but he didn't play his entire career in the top flight, and of course he was a goalkeeper.
Can Giggs get to the 1000 games with United? He's on 931 now. I think it's highly unlikely because he would need to play at least the season after next.
Maldini definitely had over 1000 games including internationals.
I know Peter Shilton played over 1000 league games alone which is completely unbeatable and will stand forever in England, but he didn't play his entire career in the top flight, and of course he was a goalkeeper.
Can Giggs get to the 1000 games with United? He's on 931 now. I think it's highly unlikely because he would need to play at least the season after next.
Can't compare him to Neville who only went down and down with his performances.
2 years back Giggs was so poor, people were suggesting he should retire but Ryan has shown his class again and that he can still perform sometimes.
Also Neville relied on other things than footballing ability, talent etc whereas Giggs still shows class like he has done recently.
Its truly incredible that he's still going on at this level. He's effectively had 2 careers and I like that he's still hungry to win. I take it next season he'll have a more bit part role and will help the coaching.
Sorry if this is posted already but only time I've liked Blatter: http://www.skysports.com/video/inline/0,26691,12602_8532141,00.html
Sorry if this is posted already but only time I've liked Blatter: http://www.skysports.com/video/inline/0,26691,12602_8532141,00.html
950 United appearances is more realistic.
1000 would be impossible...wouldn;t it? Unless he gets the Beckham latter England days treatment and gets wheeled out late on each game
1000 would be impossible...wouldn;t it? Unless he gets the Beckham latter England days treatment and gets wheeled out late on each game
Wrote him off earlier in the season, especially after the Norwich game. It's so good to be wrong sometimes!
It was great to see the whole squad get together in that pic and the shirt with '23' on it.
The club know its a big fecking deal and they are acknowledging it.
The club know its a big fecking deal and they are acknowledging it.
Did you noticed Rio wasn't there?
Neither are Scholes, Jones and the keepers
It's fantastic news as long as we prepare the squad accordingly in the summer and don't count him as a centre mid 
Superhuman.
Superhuman.
It's fantastic news as long as we prepare the squad accordingly in the summer and don't count him as a centre mid
Superhuman.
I think it's unlikely we'll bring a CM in if that's what you're getting at. Unless maybe Anderson goes.
I disagree, I reckon it's a certainty.
It's the only area of the squad we actually need to improve, although if Nani goes then he'll be replaced.
How many summers have we heard that around here?
This is fantastic news.
Wow... it's just like being in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 reading that.
Great news. Giggs will continue to make vital contributions to the team as long as he's used sparingly. This ongoing tale of the gifted veteran being actively involved in top-class professional football close to the age of forty is truly remarkable.
Running out of superlatives for Giggs...
40 will be just a beginning for him.
Possibly the future manager.
Possibly the future manager.
Nah, Zaha will do nicely as a replacement. Giggsy to orchestrate the midfield for another season. We'll buy another striker and another central defender. Sorted for next season.
Yeah, I know.
It just seems like we're fast running out of places we could strengthen apart from there, it's got to happen eventually.
Yeah, I know.
It just seems like we're fast running out of places we could strengthen apart from there, it's got to happen eventually.
It'd take losing someone (other than Giggs and Scholes) for it to happen IMO.
Especially as Fergie's confident Fletch will be able to return next season although he did hint it would be more of a limited midfield role rather than all action like we're used to from him.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21638922
Great video on a goal from every season.
(Sorry non-UK viewers).
Ceases to amaze.
That 06/07 goal against Fulham, could possibly be my favourite of all of his goals (if you take out the Arsenal one I guess). Incredible technique.
Great video on a goal from every season.
(Sorry non-UK viewers).
Ceases to amaze.
That 06/07 goal against Fulham, could possibly be my favourite of all of his goals (if you take out the Arsenal one I guess). Incredible technique.
Would it Be a good idea to rest him against, Norich then play his 1000th game against Madrid.
I think it would make him and the other senior and junior members of the squad play with some real United passion.
I think it would make him and the other senior and junior members of the squad play with some real United passion.
My heart says it'd be a great idea. My head is reminded of Barcelona at Wembley.