Whilst Ryan Giggs is a player loved by many, I can’t help but think it will take his retirement to make people understand exactly what he’s achieved in his years at Manchester United.

He now has more appearances than any other player who’s pulled on our shirt, he has won ten league titles as well as two European Cups. He has turned down the opportunities to play football for more money on the continent and the good care he has taken of himself allows him still to be playing at the top level when 34-years-old.

The title ‘legend’ gets overused, but even before Giggs retires, it’s safe to use that name for him.

Giggs first played for United an incredible 18 years ago. That means he has been playing for United’s first team for over half his life.

Now in the twilight of his career, he has reflected on his career at United, going back to his time as a 7-year-old in Salford.

“I could never envisage first of all how long I’m going to play in the team, and then how successful it’s been in that time,” Giggs said. “I have been fortunate to play in an era where it’s been the most successful time in Manchester United’s history so I have been lucky. I moved into Salford from the age of seven. I grew up in the Salford area, played for Salford Boys, and then to play for Manchester United is just unbelievable. You can’t describe it. You don’t think it’s going to happen.”

To remain so grounded after so many years in the spotlight is fantastic, and it is this kind of attitude that we’re going to miss when those ‘kids’ from the 1990s retire.

Will Giggs be appreciated more after he’s gone?