Sir Ryan Giggs

[Rossa]

What really impressed me about Giggs' performance was his pace. We all know he can pass the ball well and that he can still dribble. I didn't expect him to outpace Diame and other fairly quick players at this stage of his career. He looked just as fast as Nani out there (although he was clearly holding back). His defensive work was also good - he even defended for Rafael down the right at times.

He played a 9 as a winger, but not much worse as a CM, did he?

 

[Annihilate Now!]

I have and still do

To be fair to you Randall... there's a lot of caf folk with egg's on their faces from that thread (and you certainly weren't the biggest cheerleader in that thread!), and at least you've owned up to the error of your ways on more then one occasion!

Why?

Are you saying that you would start him in that role against decent opposition, where there would be increased defensive responsibilities?

The context of last night's fixture surely has to be taken into account, the opposition and the pattern of the match.

He's not saying that at all, but a lot of people said Giggs couldn't do it/should never play in Central Midfield anymore (and I was starting to lean towards that camp I must admit) but I think he showed last night that, when he has a dynamic/energetic partner alongside him, he can still play in that role against Premiership opposition.

After last night, I certainly believe he could do it against decent opposition, against very good/ the best teams? Maybe not, though I would still fancy him on that left wing against those sorts of teams if we had Carrick and Cleverley in the centre.

 

[Nighteyes]

Like Messi one minute then xavi the next. 39yrs old FFS! Legend

This really! We seem to have gotten 2 different players out of him

 

[Escobar]

He was everywhere last night. Hope he can keep that kind of form

 

[Nick 0208 Ldn]

He's not saying that at all, but a lot of people said Giggs couldn't do it/should never play in Central Midfield anymore (and I was starting to lean towards that camp I must admit) but I think he showed last night that, when he has a dynamic/energetic partner alongside him, he can still play in that role against Premiership opposition.

After last night, I certainly believe he could do it against decent opposition, against very good/ the best teams? Maybe not, though I would still fancy him on that left wing against those sorts of teams if we had Carrick and Cleverley in the centre.

He has through his performances in the last month or so pushed back my position in regard to the left wing [against a fair few clubs in the PL], but not central midfield. If we take the team we put out against Liverpool he is by rights behind those in the starting XI and at Anderson for CM.

And if all three of our obvious attacking options down the left are fit and in form, he would have to make up the cavalry so to speak.

It's odd really, when the season began Scholes was going okay and Giggs consistently disappointing, now we have something near a role reversal.

 

[devilish]

Some people need to realise that we're playing against the likes of West Ham and not Barcelona. At this stage, anyone with a solid midfield would eat the likes of Giggs for breakfast. Sad but true.

If we want to knock the like of Barca off their perch then we need a revamp in CM. Id say keep Clev and Carrick and change the rest. Ando got talent but he's injury prone, Giggs and Scholes are old and there's still question marks regarding Fletch future.

 

[Fergus' son]

There are more teams out there with midfields akin to west ham than Barcelona. It was silly to say Giggs should 'never' start in CM again, as evidenced by last nights performance.

 

[Escobar]

Some people need to realise that we're playing against the likes of West Ham and not Barcelona. At this stage, anyone with a solid midfield would eat the likes of Giggs for breakfast. Sad but true.

If we want to knock the like of Barca off their perch then we need a revamp in CM. Id say keep Clev and Carrick and change the rest. Ando got talent but he's injury prone, Giggs and Scholes are old and there's still question marks regarding Fletch future.

Ok then. You're right, he's shit. Should have quit 2 years ago

 

[Nick 0208 Ldn]

There are more teams out there with midfields akin to west ham than Barcelona. It was silly to say Giggs should 'never' start in CM again, as evidenced by last nights performance.

Barring injury or suspension of other players, i don't think he should find his way into central midfield against a good half of the Premiership or a team with a tactically astute manager. Even Cleverley-Carrick remain vulnerable to the latter without assistance from elsewhere in the team or a third body in midfield.

 

[Fergus' son]

Barring injury or suspension of other players, i don't think he should find his way into central midfield against a good half of the Premiership or a team with a tactically astute manager. Even Cleverley-Carrick remain vulnerable to the latter without assistance from elsewhere in the team or a third body in midfield.

West ham are a decent PL team, and he shat all over them. It's fair to say he can start some games in CM no problem, of course other players may be better options, but there's no way Giggs should 'never' start in CM again. He has made that assertion look silly.

 

[Dargonk]

Good game from the old boy today to cap of it being announced that he was playing on another year.

 

[Sandikan]

cracking man of the match performance yesterday, but was exactly the team lineup to help him achieve that. Rooney deep lying, Anderon, Nani and Valencia is pretty dynamic.

Certainly got more chance of Scholesy of playing on for another year.

 

[devilish]

There are more teams out there with midfields akin to west ham than Barcelona. It was silly to say Giggs should 'never' start in CM again, as evidenced by last nights performance.

As a top club united should aim higher then to cater for west ham mediocrity.

 

[Fergus' son]

As a top club united should aim higher then to cater for west ham mediocrity.

Ok, but saying 'he should never play in CM again' was stupid, as we don't play Barcelona every week and he is more than capable of playing there vs ordinary PL opposition.

 

[I'm always right]

West ham are a decent PL team, and he shat all over them.

It wasn't even a WHU first team in all fairness. But still, he shat all over them and you can only shit over what's put in front of you (well under you if we're talking literally).

 

[Annihilate Now!]

As a top club united should aim higher then to cater for west ham mediocrity.

And we do, but Giggs is primarily a winger, a position which for me, he can still fill (maybe not for a full 90, but certainly for parts of it) against a top side. I would say Central midfield is a secondary position for Giggs, and in that regards, the fact that we have the option to field him in games against "medicore teams" like West Ham if circumstances dictate (like last night) then that's a good thing.

 

[Jonno]

As a top club united should aim higher then to cater for west ham mediocrity.

How dare Ryan Giggs be allowed to put in a man of the match performance against a Premier League club.... sack him!

 

[Amar__]

Spoiler

Spoiler

Spoiler

Spoiler

 

[SATA]

I am going to get his name on the back of my shirt next season if he continues for another year. What a player

 

[Dr. Dwayne]

Still twisting blood after all these years.

His little dribble and run for the penalty decision was unreal.

 

[Jonno]

Spoiler

Spoiler

Spoiler

They were some cracking spoilers!

 

[devilish]

Ok, but saying 'he should never play in CM again' was stupid, as we don't play Barcelona every week and he is more than capable of playing there vs ordinary PL opposition.

I honestly believe that he should retire next season. I hope that he manages to score 1 EPL goal but that's my expectations from the man.These rare flashes of brilliance will get more rare by the day and the last thing Id like to see is Giggs career ending in the same horrible way as Gaz career did. Sometimes players just dont know when to stop.

 

[devilish]

How dare Ryan Giggs be allowed to put in a man of the match performance against a Premier League club.... sack him!

yawn

 

[devilish]

And we do, but Giggs is primarily a winger, a position which for me, he can still fill (maybe not for a full 90, but certainly for parts of it) against a top side. I would say Central midfield is a secondary position for Giggs, and in that regards, the fact that we have the option to field him in games against "medicore teams" like West Ham if circumstances dictate (like last night) then that's a good thing.

At this point he simply lack the pace to play as a flank man. He's best suited as a CM in a 3 men CM.

 

[Fergus' son]

I think some people watched the game with thier eyes closed.

 

[SATA]

Don't see why he should stop if he carries on doing this. Ryan himself knows his body and ability better than to drag the club down with his performances. Give the man respect, he has earned it

 

[Jonno]

The guy puts in a MOM performance against a decent PL side and some people on here are still calling for the guy to retire.

He consistently proves with his performances that he is good enough to play at Premier League level, all be it in his reduced roll of less games. No doubt his wage reflects that, so why the hell should he retire? We have this wealth experience and know how not only on the pitch, but in the changing rooms, at training, on the bench, and some people on here just want him axed. Rediculous. Some fans don't know what they have got at their club.

 

[Jonno]

At this point he simply lack the pace to play as a flank man. He's best suited as a CM in a 3 men CM.

There are two types of flank men. Wingers and Wide midfielders. Not all experienced flank men require Ronaldo or Bale pace you know.

 

[Jonno]

I honestly believe that he should retire next season. I hope that he manages to score 1 EPL goal but that's my expectations from the man.These rare flashes of brilliance will get more rare by the day and the last thing Id like to see is Giggs career ending in the same horrible way as Gaz career did. Sometimes players just dont know when to stop.

You cannot compare Giggs ending his career like Neville. Neville was left embarassed in a very specific role in defence wheras Giggs only ever plays in a 'free role' in midfield and only ever gets picked with younger players like Anderson to do his leg work. Not that he was at all struggling with the pace of the game last night.

Giggs has always sounded sensible, he has always said he will carry on whilst he has the legs to do it, which show no sign of deteriorating. Neville on the other hand, came back from a very bad long injury and was never the same player, and once he realised he could no longer compete, he retired mid-season.

 

[Ruud10]

An incredible performance last night.

At the very least, we can all agree Giggs can play another season for United. Whether he can ever put in another performance like last night is unknown, but he's put in some very nice work over the last month, so this is no crazy one-off.

 

[Thisistheone]

Spoiler

Spoiler

Spoiler

Spoiler

A joy to watch. Thanks Amar.

 

[Jonno]

An incredible performance last night.

At the very least, we can all agree Giggs can play another season for United. Whether he can ever put in another performance like last night is unknown, but he's put in some very nice work over the last month, so this is no crazy one-off.

I agree totally. People presume this is a one off, but he's been showing this sort of form whenever called upon. He will be picked more and more towards the end of the season, as his experience and winning-mentality will be needed.

 

[Platato]

I want Giggs to go out on a high. I think he himself knows when the right time will come. I would hate to see him do a Neville. That was shocking.

 

[devilish]

You cannot compare Giggs ending his career like Neville. Neville was left embarassed in a very specific role in defence wheras Giggs only ever plays in a 'free role' in midfield and only ever gets picked with younger players like Anderson to do his leg work. Not that he was at all struggling with the pace of the game last night.

Giggs has always sounded sensible, he has always said he will carry on whilst he has the legs to do it, which show no sign of deteriorating. Neville on the other hand, came back from a very bad long injury and was never the same player, and once he realised he could no longer compete, he retired mid-season.

There were other legends whose performances nosedived in few months. I remember Franco Baresi's 'performance' at the twilight of his career against a young Vieri . Its was painful to watch even for the staunchest Juve/Inter fan. Age will catch up on players whether they like it or not.

I only wish to see Giggs retire with his head held high.

 

[golden_blunder]

I honestly believe that he should retire next season. I hope that he manages to score 1 EPL goal but that's my expectations from the man.These rare flashes of brilliance will get more rare by the day and the last thing Id like to see is Giggs career ending in the same horrible way as Gaz career did. Sometimes players just dont know when to stop.

you dont know when to stop! you should retire

 

[Aint gota Kalou]

How could anyone want him to retire after the kind of performances he's put in in the last couple of months? He's still brilliant and is definitely our most creative passer of the ball. He's been that way for the last few years, the only thing thats changed is his recovery time inbetween matches, other than that he's still got decent pace and engine, and of course his ability isn't going to vanish. If he shows signs of losing either of those then I can kind of understand it but not yet.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

I honestly believe that he should retire next season. I hope that he manages to score 1 EPL goal but that's my expectations from the man.These rare flashes of brilliance will get more rare by the day and the last thing Id like to see is Giggs career ending in the same horrible way as Gaz career did. Sometimes players just dont know when to stop.

So a 90 minute period of football now classes as "rare flashes"?? ... sorry, but that's a crazy, and highly innacurate summation.

At this point he simply lack the pace to play as a flank man. He's best suited as a CM in a 3 men CM.

True... I mean, it's not like he was dribbling/running past people last night.

Oh wait.

That post should probably end there, but it goes without saying that you don't neccesarily need bags of pace to play on the wing. Just ask Mr. Beckham.

 

[Jonno]

There were other legends whose performances nosedived in few months. I remember Franco Baresi's 'performance' at the twilight of his career against a young Vieri . Its was painful to watch even for the staunchest Juve/Inter fan. Age will catch up on players whether they like it or not.

I only wish to see Giggs retire with his head held high.

I want Giggs to go out on a high. I think he himself knows when the right time will come. I would hate to see him do a Neville. That was shocking.

So Gary Neville attempting to play on for a further 6-12 months completely ruined our ever lasting memory of him did it?

Hardly... I and the rest of you will always remember him for his amazing 10-15 seasons he put in for us.

 

[Care_de_Bobo]

I honestly believe that he should retire next season. I hope that he manages to score 1 EPL goal but that's my expectations from the man.These rare flashes of brilliance will get more rare by the day and the last thing Id like to see is Giggs career ending in the same horrible way as Gaz career did. Sometimes players just dont know when to stop.

Without Giggs we'd be out of the cup.

Even if he doesn't start many games in the league he's still a great player to have for the domestic cups and even the Champions League in certain situations because he can turn a game on its head in the blink of an eye.

Don't know if there are many better in the league at dribbling past players, certainly not in our squad at the moment anyway and that's not a slight on our squad, the man's just incredible.

Best dribbler I've ever seen play for the club, too young to have seen Best. Anyone seen both play live? Just in terms of dribbling was there much between them?

 

[VeevaVee]

Is everyone saying how wrong everyone who said he's past it is? (Does that make sense?)

I missed the second half because I was doing uni work but it looks like he had a blinder from what people are saying and seeing a few gifs. It changes little, but it shows there is life left in him yet. I hope Giggs is going to carry on being used how most people have been saying they want him to be for ages. Starting the games that aren't as important and coming on as a sub sometimes when the time is right.

Looks like there were some real flashes of classic Giggs stuff last night.