Ryan Joseph Giggs, OBE is a Welsh footballer who plays for Manchester United. Giggs made his first appearance for the club during the 1990–91 season and has been a regular player since the 1991–92 season.
In an exclusive chat Manchester United’s Ryan Giggs opens up about team’s chances this season: Exerpts:
Q: Ryan, it’s Reading at home this weekend and everyone says victory in this match and you’ve got one hand on the title! What’s your verdict? What are your chances of being champions do you think?
A: If we continue the good form and get the results, we’ll be okay. We’ve been in really good form and we’ve got players on the bench or not even getting on the bench who would walk into any other team. The squad we’ve got at the moment is really strong and we’ve got to keep that up until the end of the season.
Q: There are plenty of players at United who know how to win a title, aren’t there?
A: We’ve got enough experience in the squad of course but you never take anything for granted. We’ve just got to keep playing well. The strength of the squad should see us there if everyone stays fit. But you never know what happens. We’ve just got to concentrate and do our job.
But the good thing at the minute is that we are playing well, both individually and as a team, and we are winning games. That’s all you can ask, really. We are winning scrappy games, we are winning games spectacularly. It’s all there and we just have to keep it going.
Q: You have now passed the magic milestone of 1,000 games in your professional career at Manchester United. How do you feel about it?
A: Obviously I’m proud of playing that many games. You set out different goals at the start of your career; first you want to get in the team, then
stay in it and then win things. You never think you are going to get to 1,000 games.
I have worked hard and had a lot of things have gone for me – the continuity of the manager here and playing with good players.
Q: We hear you are staying for another year at United too after agreeing a new contract. What made you decide to carry on?
A: I am feeling good, enjoying my football more than ever and, most importantly, I feel I am making a contribution to the team.
This is an exciting team to be part of, with great team spirit, and we are again pushing for trophies as we head towards the business end of the
season. That’s why I am delighted to have signed a new contract.
Q: So does football get even more enjoyable as you get older?
A: It’s different, certainly. As I have got older, I have taken more things in and been able to enjoy them. The second Champions League victory I
remember more than 1999 for instance. You appreciate it more.
I managed to take the 2008 win in and enjoy it a lot more than 1999. As you get older you enjoy things a lot more and feel part of them a little
bit more.
You realise these are the games that you are going to miss when you finish playing, and coming towards the end of your career, like I am, you
want to enjoy it and savour it as much as you can.
Q: It’s just a shame the 1,000th game came in a controversial defeat against Real Madrid. But can United learn anything from that match for next season’s Champions League challenge?
A: Well, every time you play in Europe, you learn different lessons. You learn from every experience. But it was obviously a tough one and not
something you look back on fondly. You never do when you lose, no matter how good the game is.
Q: It was Cristiano Ronaldo who knocked United out of course – pretty predictable! But were you surprised by the amazing reception he got from the Old Trafford crowd?
A: Not really. He’s a truly, truly world class player. And the fans gave him a good reception because of the good times he was able to give them.
Q: It’s Reading up next for United at home – you must be able to smell the Premier League title now!
A: That’s the aim; we have to stay focused; we have to keep our concentration levels high. We are not looking too far ahead and we are not
getting too excited because there is a job to do. But we are in good form and the manager has a big squad of fit players to choose from and that is all you can ask for at this stage.
Q: There is also an FA Cup quarter-final replay to look forward to against Chelsea – and the chance to play Man City in the semi-finals at Wembley. Is the FA Cup also a target for you this year?
A: Definitely! There is a real determination to win it this year. We haven’t had a good record in it over the last few seasons and it’s a real shame for some of the others who have never won it because it still has that magic. I know Rio Ferdinand hasn’t won it for instance – and he has been desperate to get his hands on the trophy.
Q: It’s amazing to think people like Rio and Wayne Rooney have never won the FA Cup despite everything else they have lifted with United?
A: Exactly. We have a great history in the competition, but in the last ten years we definitely haven’t done ourselves justice. We have had some tough draws, but we probably haven’t produced at the right time either.
So everyone at the club is keen to get back to Wembley this season.