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In the column "Tribune" website visitor Erik continues a series of articles about the stars of "Manchester United" and takes a look at the long-time club player, one of the greatest Welsh footballers of all time, the unmatched explosive winger Ryan Giggs.
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Ryan Giggs - The Great Discovery of Wales
Date of Birth: November 29, 1973 Place of Birth: Cardiff, Wales Height: 180 cm Weight: 68 kg Position: winger Club: "Man Utd"
At just seven years old, Ryan Giggs moved from Wales to England. He learned the basics of football from Denis Schofield, the coach of the "Dean's Youth" club, who recommended Ryan to "Manchester City." Ryan spent time in the Manchester City youth section until he was 14 years old.
On his 14th birthday, "Manchester United" coach Sir Alex Ferguson went to Ryan's parents in Swinton to ask them to let their son play for his team. Ken Barnes, the director of "Manchester City," had earlier stated that they would not be signing a contract with Ryan Giggs. City’s oversight brought a man who would later become a club legend to United.
At the age of 16, Ryan signed a contract with "YTS," and shortly after his 17th birthday, he became a professional.
In the "Manchester United" lineup, Ryan Giggs made his debut on March 2, 1991, against "Everton" at Old Trafford, replacing Denis Irwin. For the first time in the English Premier League, Ryan took to the field at the end of the same season in the Manchester derby and scored the only goal of the match.
Before the 1991-1992 season, Lee Sharpe was injured, and Ryan had the perfect opportunity to establish himself in the first team, playing as a left winger. During his time at Manchester United, Ryan won all possible titles in competitions in which the club had ever played. Ryan is one of the most decorated players in the club's history. He won the League Cup in 1992, and was a champion of the English Premier League in 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2003, a winner of the FA Cup in 1994, 1996, and 1999, and the UEFA Champions League in 1999.
In the Welsh national team, he became the youngest player ever to play. In his debut match against West Germany, he was only 17 years and 321 days old.
Ryan has scored countless important goals. Especially memorable is his solo performance in the 1999 FA Cup semi-final replay against "Arsenal" at Villa Park...
In the final moments of the match, when the winner seemed to be decided only after an 11-meter penalty shootout, Ryan did what he does best - tore apart the opponent's defense with lightning speed. He dribbled past four "Arsenal" defenders and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the top left corner of the goal, leaving no chance for "Gunners" goalkeeper David Seaman. Some experts still consider that goal as the best in football history. The victory was 2-1, and "Manchester United" had the opportunity to win all the titles possible in that season.
In the 1999-2000 season, Ryan Giggs' game left fans and football experts in awe. His lightning speed, fantastic agility, perfect passes, and crucial goals inspired fans to create the chant "Giggs will tear you apart again," which was heard more and more often at Old Trafford. Seven goals in 41 league matches accompanied another championship season. Along with his increasing goal tally, Ryan Giggs contributed with assists.
Before the 2000-2001 season, "Manchester United" coach Sir Alex Ferguson said: "His talent was evident from his first matches. He is one of the best players we've had in the last decade. I doubt there is a player in the world right now at the level of Ryan. Only a few players can develop such speed and agility with the ball. Even without the ball, he is vital to our attack. He constantly poses a threat and causes concern for opposing defenders. Despite his fantastic individual abilities, he sacrifices himself for the team by working hard." At the same time, the coach mentioned that the medical staff found a way to help Ryan fight pain and strengthen his muscles by giving him special exercises before and after training.
Before the 2000-2001 season, reports emerged that Ryan Giggs was of great interest to AS Roma. The then coach of AS Roma, Sven-Göran Eriksson, said, "He is a very versatile player and everyone knows where he plays." However, such rumors were not destined to come true, as Ryan extended his contract with "Manchester United" for another five years.
"I hope the next five years will be the best in my career. I am now 27, and the next three or four years should be the peak of my career," said Ryan after signing the agreement.
Ten days after the contract announcement, Ryan scored the decisive goal that secured him his seventh Premier League title. The header brought victory against "Coventry City" when "Arsenal" on the same day lost to "Middlesbrough," burying their hopes of winning the championship.
The 2001-2002 season was his tenth season at "Manchester United." On August 1, 2001, there was a friendly match with "Celtic" (Scotland). On August 23, 2002, in a match against "Chelsea," Ryan scored his 100th goal for United. On April 10, 2003, Ryan and his fiancée Stacey welcomed their first child, Liberty.
Giggsy, as he is known among United fans, was fierce in the 2002-2003 season and was a challenge for opponents' defenses. In 2003, he won his eighth English Premier League title of his career.
Unfortunately, since the 2003 season, Ryan has not been able to win the Premier League. The 2005 FA Cup was lost, where the "Man Utd" club succumbed to "Arsenal" after an 11-meter penalty shootout. In 2006, Ryan triumphed with the club in the "Carling Cup" final, winning 4-0 against "Wigan"
P.S. Ryan Giggs is a player who gained fame at "Man Utd," one of the best wing players in the world, a star of "Man Utd." He may be aging, but "MU" fans will never forget him. Throughout his career, he has put in a lot of effort, helping the club overcome challenges several times. Therefore, ending the speech about Giggs, I wish him the greatest success and never to forget the Great Master God - FOOTBALL!!!
