Sir Alex hails Ryan Giggs ahead of 900th Man Utd appearance

Sir Alex Ferguson hails Ryan Giggs's "phenomenal" achievements at Manchester United in a career spanning 21 years

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By TSR staff Wednesday 22 February 2012, 16:36 UK

Ryan Giggs has made 899 appearances for UnitedPhoto: jmage, via Flickr

ryan giggs

Sir Alex Ferguson has once again heaped praise on the “amazing” Ryan Giggs as the Manchester United veteran prepares to make his 900th appearance for the club.

The 38-year-old is expected to play a part in the second leg of United’s Europa League last-32 tie against Ajax at Old Trafford on Thursday.

And Ferguson is confident Giggs’ achievements with the Red Devils will never be eclipsed by any other player.

“My personal view, and I don’t think everyone will agree with me, is that being in the Premier League as long as he has and having achieved what he has, I don’t think any other player will do that,” said Ferguson on Wednesday.

“It’s amazing. When you look back to [the 2008 Champions League Final in] Moscow when he beat Bobby Charlton’s [United appearance] record that night, you are talking about almost 100 games since then. It’s phenomenal.

“He keeps defying his age and this season he has just been the same as he was back in Moscow. His performance level, then to today, nothing has changed. He’s just amazing.”

Giggs, who has won the Premier League title a record 12 times, has adapted his style of play since making his United debut in 1991 as England football continues to evolve.

And Ferguson believes Giggs’ versatility has allowed the Welsh midfielder to perform at the top level for so long.

“There is a maturity in respect of Ryan and changing his position a few times, to play more central. He’s given different aspects to his game,” added Ferguson.

“You always remember what Ryan was famous for – up and down that touchline running at full-backs with great balance and speed.

“It’s a different Ryan Giggs today. He’s still got a change of pace and wonderful balance but he’s not as quick as he was 10 years ago and he probably looks at the game in a different way.”

Meanwhile, Ferguson also confirmed that striker Wayne Rooney will miss the Europa League clash against Ajax at Old Trafford due to a throat infection.