There have been better United players. Ronaldo unquestionably, a handful of others arguably. There have been more charismatic heroes, characters with edge and a kind of madness that our fans adore. Cantona, of course, but also the likes of Keane and Schmeichel. Just as the Pope is regarded as God’s representative on earth, these hardboiled figures obsessed with the notion of winning somehow seemed like their manager’s representative on turf. Scholes is more gifted, Solskjaer more loveable but when all is said and done (and the obese female must surely be engaging in vocal warm-ups at this point), I suspect Ryan Joseph Giggs will enter the canon as the greatest player ever to have pulled on a Manchester United shirt.
I have thought about Giggs a great deal in recent weeks. In the first part of the season I was convinced this would be his last as a result of a number of poor performances in the centre of the pitch. I feared his astonishing sequence of at least one league goal for every year as a professional (not just since the formation of the Premier League, however much Sky insist football was invented in August 1992) would be broken. Five minutes into the Everton game at Old Trafford I realised I needn’t have worried. I turned to my Dad and told him I felt sure his goal was coming today. It duly arrived, along with another on Saturday at QPR on appearance number 999. Not bad for a bloke born in the same year as Brendan Rodgers.
It’s incredible to think that on the day Giggs made his debut in 1991, a senior member of the squad like Ferdinand was just twelve years old whilst Phil Jones had not even been born. The longevity of the Welshman must astound even his teammates. He’s like a creature from Greek mythology – half man, half kit.
To put things into context, I was six at the time Giggs made his first appearance. I can only dimly recall an era pre Giggs; the man has been an almost constant presence in my life over the two decades or so since then. I was there last season on his 900th appearance when his injury time winner at Norwich looked to have struck a crucial blow in the race for the title, I was there a few weeks ago when his glorious 50 yard pass found van Persie at West Ham and United remained in the FA Cup. Countless title deciders and cup finals have marked his career and, on a variety of fortunate occasions, our lives have intersected briefly and I’ve been there to witness such events. It is sometimes said of great and charismatic orators that a single person in a crowd of thousands will feel as though the speaker is addressing them personally. Despite this, I remain convinced that Giggsy waved at me as he joined his teammates in a lap of honour at the end of the 2009 Carling Cup Final.
What’s strange about Giggs is that he’s not a particularly charismatic figure. When you’re young, footballers can seem larger than life but in the case of someone like Cantona the effect hardly diminishes with the passing of time. Giggs never had the feel of an icon though despite the immense hype at the start of his career. The comparisons to George Best were so frequent that the Northern Irishman felt compelled to comment: ‘One day they might even say that I was another Ryan Giggs.’ Best, along with Sir Bobby Charlton, used to turn up at the Cliff training ground in those early days just to watch the Cardiff lad run rings round his opponents.
It was often claimed that Ferguson sheltered his young starlet back then but I suspect Giggs himself was just as responsible for the lack of interviews. In spite of this, he was the Premiership’s first poster boy and his ability ensured this heartthrob would be around a tad longer than Lee Sharpe. There were magazine covers and celebrity girlfriends years before we’d even heard the name David Beckham. I recall an early interview in which the young Giggs seemed almost bemused by the multiple sacks full of Valentine’s cards on his doorstep. Girls with no interest in football had his poster on their wall. I owned the Ryan Giggs Soccer Skills video but, as is so often the case, it wasn’t as good as the book. Baddiel and Skinner’s Fantasy Football League showed a video of him picking his nose at a press conference and I was mocked at school. He felt like a part of my family, almost a part of myself. This was only exacerbated by my Mum leaving little notes in my lunchbox in which she referred to me as ‘Giggsy’. I am now approaching thirty and the same man still plays at the highest level.
Giggs certainly doesn’t have the temperament of his manager. He’s has never been sent off for United and, in many ways, it’s as admirable a feat as Gary Lineker’s zero yellow cards in the previous era. Unlike Lineker, Giggs plays in an area of the pitch in which tackling is required, not to mention the fact that officials have become a good deal more stringent in the last twenty years.
The Welshman does resemble Ferguson in two crucial ways though. Firstly, his hatred of losing surpasses his enjoyment of winning. It has been generally acknowledged that Ferguson began plotting his revenge just minutes after City secured the title last season and Giggs is no different. I recall an interview with him in which he was asked whether he thinks about all he’s achieved, twelve titles, two European Cups and so much more. He said he thinks about losing the title on the final day of the 1995 season far more often. Avoiding an obvious joke, I think it’s fair to say Ryan Giggs is insatiable. Secondly, like the manager, Giggs’ fortunes have often reflected the team’s. Both have been written and or booed off over the years but have generally found an answer. At United the motto tends to be adapt or die. Even this season, years after it seemed a plausible option with that youthful pace but a distant memory, Giggs has rediscovered his form by playing in a wide position once more.
Football is about moments. Giggs has never dominated seasons like Keane, Cantona or Ronaldo yet he has consistently provided moments of genius throughout his career. His most famous, at Villa Park in 1999, the winner in the last ever FA Cup semi-final replay, I was not lucky enough to see live, either at the ground or on television. I’d been to the first leg (a wretched 0-0 notable only for David Elleray disallowing a perfectly legitimate Roy Keane goal) but by the time of the replay, seen by some as the high water mark for football in this country, I was on a school trip in France. We huddled round my crappy old portable radio as a succession of modern language teachers implored us to keep it down. The Tottenham fans fell asleep as the game progressed, leaving only an Arsenal fan and myself. The battery was running so low that, during extra time, we had to turn the radio off at five-minute intervals to ensure it’d survive the whole match. During one such hiatus, Giggs scored. When we turned it back on, Alan Green informed us United were winning 2-1. It wasn’t until the next day when we bought a copy of The Sun with the headline: ‘Is this the greatest goal ever scored?’ that I had any idea exactly what had happened. I remember little about that trip but I recall vividly watching all 120 minutes the second I got home. Much hyped, the goal, like the young Giggs years before, did not disappoint. Ferguson called it: ‘The ultimate expression of the natural gifts he has always had since he came to us as a 13-year-old.’ During that run, Giggsy truly left the defenders with twisted blood.
As a side note, my mother was still writing me messages at this point and slipped a bon voyage card into my bag before we set off. The night before we left I had been devastated by Paul Ince’s late equaliser for Liverpool that looked like costing United the title and the message concluded with: ‘There’s plenty more football left to be played.’ She was right of course, and United went on to win the treble. I often think about the way Ince celebrated that goal and reflect on the fact that we won that title by exactly one point. The final sentence of the card could just as easily apply to Ryan Giggs. It’s hard to believe that goal was fourteen years ago and by no means in the first flushes of the boy’s career. I once saw Barry Davies on television mention that Giggs had said to him he fears the goal will only be remembered for the hairy chest celebration. Davies simply replied: ‘No it won’t, Ryan. No it won’t.’
The years have passed and we continue to sing songs of Ryan Giggs running down the wing even though those days are well behind him. That boy Giggsy has become a man and in the process he’s become the most decorated player in English football history. A reference in The Simpsons, BBC Sports Personality of the Year, a shaved chest, grey hair, even a Bridget Jones style yoga phase. All these things have come to define the ageing wizard. We sing: ‘Giggsy twelve, Gerrard nil’ but sometimes forget just what a remarkable achievement that actually is.
On the final day of the 2007/08 season, Giggs came off the bench and equalled Charlton’s record for United appearances. He scored, wrapped up the game and another title along with it. Ten days later he broke the record in Moscow. Again off the bench, he marked this occasion by converting United’s final penalty. Giggs hasn’t just been a loyal once club player for a team that could afford a passenger – he has made the difference in the very biggest games even at the tail end of his career.
This is no place to pick apart the lurid details of the man’s private life but it is telling that, upon learning of his various sexual indiscretions, most people’s response (reds or otherwise) seemed to simply be disappointment. Football fans just felt it was a shame. Even as the nation has come to despise United and their success, Giggs remains a popular figure. That said, it’s important to separate the artist from the art and Giggs’s private life ought to be exactly that. It’s not as though he’s the first great man to slip up in such a manner, nor will he be the last.
At some point very soon Ryan Giggs will make his one-thousandth appearance for Manchester United. He’ll probably engage in his almost imperceptible nervous habit of touching the studs of both his boots in turn before taking a set piece. He’ll likely remain composed under pressure and find the right man. Enjoy all the small things. He won’t be playing for much longer and we should enjoy it whilst we still can.
George Graham tells a story of how he met Ferguson in his office in the late 1980s before Giggs had adopted his mother’s surname. Fergie pointed out at the training pitch behind him and said: ‘That lad, Ryan Wilson, is going to be one of the all-time greats.’ Many years later Graham asked Ferguson: ‘Whatever happened to that Ryan Wilson anyway?’
He did alright for himself, George. Here’s to the next thousand games…
———
Darren Richman also writes for The Independent. Follow him on Twitter.
Man Utd News 24/7
Unbelievable, unbeatable.
Excellent piece Mr. Richman. Thank you!
I agree with your views almost in full, although I’ve thought some about whether Giggs or Scholes was/is the more gifted and they’re so hard to set apart. Their styles are completely different and yet both brilliant assets to any midfield. What they share is an extremely good understanding of the game, quick thinking, awareness and imagination. Technically they’re as good as anyone and had they focused more on their individual careers (rather than always playing for the team, which I love about them of course) I’m sure they’d be recognised among the very best along with the likes of Zidane, Ronaldinho etc.
What a great player
Nice job. Thanks Darren for another good read. Giggs and so many others were nurtured through tough times as well. Many wanted him gone in 08 when he was having knee problems. I remember being so proud of him tucking away his penalty in the 2008 CL final. A truly marvelous footballer!
Wonder if you lot have had your day spoilt by Samuel Luckhurst’s completely maniacal piece on Fergie not being able to bring out the potential of young players. Now criticizing handling of Rooney & Phil Jones. Oh my! I won’t post a link because it is such tripe that it would only spoil your day, but its in the Huffington Post if you feel you must have a look.
Great player, great article . He s got to be classed as our greatest ever simply , for the amount of trophies he’s won and the number of games he’s played. His record will never be beaten or even matched and its not finished yet, lets hope come May, he’s added even more silverware !
Couple other fun facts about Ryan Giggs:
SAF on Giggs “1st time I saw him he was 13 and just floated over the ground like a cocker spaniel chasing a piece of silver paper in the wind”
Giggs has 22 more top flight appearances than does Manchester City over the same period (Mar’91- present). That is a staggering statistic for me. Being able to compare one player with a team over a span of decades!
Great article about greatest player, even Madrid’s fans acknowledged him.
I wonder if Ronaldo never tempted to fulfill his boyhood dreams to move to RM, he could be greater than Giggsy here…
Not to take away from the article but I doubt Giggs will ever make 1000 appearances in a United jersey. It’s 999 professional appearances he’s on, between United, Wales and Great Britain. Has around 938 for United I think.
Great personal piece, Scott.
You capture the greatness of Giggs the footballer. I think history will show him the be United’s greatest player of all time and that is saying something when you whisper his name alongside the names of Duncan Edwards, Bobby Charlton and George Best or even CR7.
I think you’re spot on to say that the reason he hasn’t been given his due is he never had an outsized personality like a Best. But next to Ferguson he has that tenacious desire never to lose.
We should savour every game he plays from one like a vintage wine, it can’t last forever. But the memories he’s given over the years most definitely will.
Ooops,, I mean Darren! My bad!
Will he make 1,000 appearances? What’s he on for us?
(The 999 included Wales and GB)
Him, Sir Bobby and Scholes are BY SOME DISTANCE the best IMO….coz I always feel you have to take into account their talent, what they won, and their longevity. Those guys tick all the boxes.
Best, Edwards and Ronaldo were probably more talented….and in the case of Best and Ronaldo, they won quite a lot as well. But they weren’t at the club long enough to get anywhere near the 3 players I mentioned above.
Esquilax5
He’s on:
935 appearances for United
64 for Wales
4 for GB
What a player.
Just a phenomenal player I cant say much about him there will be players like best,ronnie but there will never ever be a ryan giggs legend ,,
A statue should be made for him alongside fergie he deserves it what loyal son he has been for the club
Ryan Giggs – Living Legend
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC5YOEFbInY
Its been mentioned on ROM many times,depends on the era someone grew up in and boyhood impressions influence our opinions.,For me it’ll always be Bestie and it’s not even close he’s the greatest player ever in my opinion and it’ll always be a tragedy his career was cut short by booze
Giggs has to go down as a all time Utd great just think greatest ever is very subjective if it’s longevity and the ability to play at the top level way beyond what anyone else has ever achieved then obviously it’s a no brainer
I name my son after him!
Gisggs!
No words to explain his greatness.Bamboozled.
935 United games – 65 to go – should be 55 hopefully by end of seasons.
Is pre-season matches included?
I really hope he gets the last 55 odd matches under his belt. what a statement that would be 1000 games for United, has any other player done that at one Club, maybe Maldini.
For me Ronnie was the best I saw followed by Scholes and Giggs. But as an overall legend, enduring talent loyalty and great to watch plus loyalty and discipline, best model professional, Giggs.
When talking about Ryan, Becks or Scholes for that matter, I always feel it useful to watch the early interviews. They were brought in at such an early age and the manager protected them from getting ahead of themselves. All really humble lads at the core of it and polite almost to a fault. Probably the reason that all 3 are still playing the game at such high levels.
Here is Ryans first interview at 19, and he was only doing this one because Rebok came in to give him a sponsorship.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DdsTQc2kps
When Ryan retires we should also retire the no.11 shirt.
Anyone see El Clasico last night?
Madrid were fearsome. First time they’ve completely outclassed Barcelona in years. Confidence will be sky-high at the moment. Be interesting to see how their next game (also against Barca!) pans out.
@mancunian
Nah, too small-time all that shirt retirement business. We’re United. We have to believe that many more legends will wear the number 11 shirt. There may never be another Giggs, but others who are incredible in their own ways will come after him.
Giggs would have been up there with the best like Zidane & Ronaldinho had he played for a better national team and won something at that level. But that is something that is not important to us United supporters. In fact, it is highly possible that he only lasted this long because he had all his summer off resting.
I don’t think we should retire his number. I like the old 1-11 and have to believe someone can come through and take his place. An exciting left-footed winger should be able to wear no.11. Milan have players wearing 45, 92, 88. They’ve retired a couple of numbers and you think, when will it end? Too sentimental now, football. People are obsessed with handshakes. Don’t celebrate if you score against your old team. No swearing. Players should be good role models. Minute’s silence every week. Retire your numbers. Bollocks.
@Sparkz
Interesting points. It’s how you judge it. If you were doing a dream team and had players only at their best, for a one off game, would Giggs be on the teamsheet before Best? Almost certainly no, but, like you say, there’s more to it than that when judging greatness. Does Giggs’ career make him “greater”? No definite answers.
Bestie was at the club for 13 yrs and by the time he was 20 when he banged in the hat trick against Benfica he was a world wide superstar El Beatle.I respect other lads points of views but to say he’s way behind anyone on the greatest list just isn’t accurate
He was better than anyone else who’s ever played imo and if it hadn’t been for the fact he was a party animal and played for Ireland he’d have been rated the Best ever
In his own words ‘If I’d been born ugly you’d never heard of Pele’
As I said before The Greatest Ever is subjective but Bestie belongs close to the top of any list
@wayne – spot on pal, spot on. Love the ‘If I’d been born ugly you’d never have heard of Pele’ quote!
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1546088-5-reasons-manchester-united-will-defeat-real-madrid-at-old-trafford
FletchTHEMAN: totally stealing that SAF quote abt Giggsy
@Wayne – Yeah saying he was nowhere near was bit OTT of me tbh.
There’s no doubt that in terms of ability he’s number 1. But as I said, I personally use ability as just one aspect of determining greatness. Sir Bobby 17 years, Giggs and Scholes 20 years…..for that reason I’d put them ahead, coz they were able to maintain a high level of performance for a very long time.
I have to say though, I’m not always comfortable when Ronaldo’s name gets mentioned with the likes of Giggs, Best, Charlton etc. He’s a legend and in terms of ability he’s probably top 5. But in terms of our greatest players, I’m not 100% sure if he would make our top 10.
planetx6 Cheers mate. Love it as well. Sir Alex as poet laureate!
Stenis – Of course Giggsy will be ranked up there with Ronaldinho etc. Fuck me he has been producing for over two decades not just 4 or 5 years. Superbly written piece. I miss Barry Davies, great commentator.
Back in 1991, I just started college in Salford. I was put on a work placement with a local girl who one day told me of her school friend who was about to come up from the United junior side- Ryan GIggs. A few weeks later she had arranged for him and Lee Sharpe to visit our work placement, a children’s ward at Pendlebury Children’s hospital. Being the obsessive United fan that I always have been, I volunteered to show them around when they arrived- which they duly did three hours late, when I was on my way home! I passed them both own the corridor on my way to catch the bus. I was so gutted, particularly when I late heard he handed out United shirts and goodies.
Ronnie is probably the most exciting player I have seen at OT but he should NEVER be mentioned in the same breath as Giggs, Sir Bobby , Scholes etc.
I agree Darren. Giggs is the greatest Manchester United player of all time. Even greater than Sir Bobby Charlton. He’s been here longer. Made more appearances, won more trophies and is one of the most gifted wingers football has ever seen. Just because he is very unassuming and doesn’t make much noise a lot of people have overlooked him and Paul Scholes in the greatness debate.
As for Ronny, yes he is not quite as great as Sir Bobby, Giggs and Scholes, Best, Edwards even Rooney. but he’s a top 20 all time United great.
King Eric Well said mate. Obviously different classe of “greatest”.
At one level, are our 4 european players of the year.
Giggs and Scholes are on most peoples legends list, but didn’t make this celestial list.
At another level are lads who single handedly changed our team for several years of trophies, like Cantona, possibly Keane. Again, Giggs was a special player, but maybe not the dramatic leader that single handedly dragged us to greatness.
The special spot that Giggs and Scholes hold are more in the area of very special players who have contributed to key successes, and continued to do so over decades of service.
Off topic
last night while Fergie was there at Camp Nou, he has certainly took further new impression about Real’s strength particularly their frightening agile counter attacks.there is many things to play for already and I am sure his short trip for Catalonia helds many secret chatting and the lads will obviously need further lessons to be taught.hope we can give another good defensive performance mixed up with more attacking display.
Giggs has been great, but sir bobby will always been uniteds most important player in club history
What. An. Article. Draws your attention to the obvious but then again, the obvious, in this case, is so damn amazing.
All great comments above, I am especially loving the personal “Giggs” memories…..
Who is the greatest? great debate and the best thing about it is the fact that we all see it in a different way. As it should be, football is a game of opinions.
I agree with some of the comments above, It depends on what you like from your footballer. Charlton for his international goals, his goals and play for United, but how he came through the adversity of Munich has to be takin into account.
Best for his skill level, pure poetry.
Scholes for his contribution over decades, It still pisses me off that Xabi and Inesta are seen as amazing players in England, but Scholes was better than them in his prime. Just ask Zidane! England wasted him for fat frank.. WTF
For me – Giggs is the greatest. He combines all of the above in a lesser amount, but has a fair amount of all of these traits (except personality maybe) – As I have said before, if the game is show us your medals then he is the greatest. He ha scored some very memorable goals and adapted his game to suit 2 decades of changing football.
As a good mate of mine says on a regular basis, If Giggs was English, they prob would have won another World cup by now……
For me 1} george best , 2} sir bobby , 3} king eric , 4} peter schmicheal , 5} ryan giggs ,,,, this is my personal best 5 anyone can correct me if there is any change that should be made
As pointed out by others there are so many categories of best -
Best entertainers – Best, Cantona, Ronnie
Best consistently awe inspiring world class match winners (at least 5 yrs at Utd) – Sir Bobby, Scholes, Giggs, Schemichel, VDS, Rio, Vidic, Evra, Neville, Robson, Rudd, Becks, Yorke, Cole, a few others
(Rooney and RVP maybe in here later)
Most brilliant enduring world class players over time – Scholes, Giggs
I am a regular reader of the blog but not a rabid webbie, so have never been active on the comments scene. But this is one post I had to comment on.
Before one is old enough to understand the history, legacy or what a team/ club stands for there are triggers which draw you to a team/ club. Sometimes its the old man or family, friends but sometimes there are individuals. Giggs was my stepping stone to United.
Whether or not he is the greatest is open to debate but I discovered United through him. When I close my eyes, I can still see Giggs in his prime running at full tilt with and without the ball. Easily the most beautiful thing I have seen on a football pitch. Will probably take the memories to the grave because I keep reliving it.
There was one particular game from his early years at United. Think it was Ipswich or Everton…the man kept running at the opposite defense and terrorized them. Only to keep blasting the final ball or finish into the second or third tiers. But his runs, the pace, the skill and just the grace of his running are still vivid.
And even today, when he comes on with his greys, thinning hair and the other visible ravages of time, I remember that game and there’s a tear or two. Greatest??? May be not. Charismatic??? May be not.
Most influential??? May be not. But to me he is all of that and more.
Cheers!!
@NBI
The great Dane is a great shout, surely our greatest ever goal keeper.
Thats got me thinking, how about Utds Best 11?
I will have a go, My knowledge of pre 1980 is not what some of my fellow reds have, so this team is based on my 25 years plus of worship and some reading of all time Utd.
GK – The great Dane
RB – Personal Choice, but mainly due to his hard work, attitude and his love of all things Red GNEV
CB – Edwards – Based on pure talent, sadly the football world was robbed of what he could have been
CB – Ferdinand -Maybe not everyones choice, but on his day, a footballing centreback with a great reading of the game
LB – Dennis Irwin – Also my pen taker
Lw – Giggs
CM – Scholes
CM – Charlton
RW – Best
CF – 10 role -Cantona
CF 9 role – CR7, I know not a natural striker, but I want my side to entertain!
Just a few thoughts, What do you guys think? I think my side would win most game 5 – 3! lol
@ wayne
The George Best quote is a blinder mate, cheers!
A “Best Ever” debate must include scorecards imo. Some quantitative measures have to be applied to compliment to qualitative. Score 1-10 in say 10 categories? Add’em up and see what you’ve got?
Otherwise, we’ll take this to pub, drink ourselves silly and by the end of the night Djemba Djemba’s name might very well come up
Giggs = Legend
No debate necessary
Maybe change it to Utd worst player!
Hmmmmmmmmm Veron maybe? LOL
Lee Martins Winner @ 19:22: “Charlton for his international goals, his goals and play for United, but how he came through the adversity of Munich has to be takin into account.”
Let’s not forget the man’s incredible inner strength, modesty, generosity, and – as much as anything else – his steadfast support of Alexander Chapman Ferguson.
Sir Bobby might not have been the most talented player to ever wear the red shirt but no man has ever worn it with such dignity.
Its certainly true that every generation has their own hero and idol but for me Giggs, Charlton, Best, Cantona are names that will be there in our history for centuries never forgotten, eternal so to speak.the special thing about Giggs is his longevity and his consistency and a long career without serious injuries.that tells you many things.
An incredible man who took care of himself to remain in the main team.that sets example for the younger generation.totally deserve to be our greatest ever player wearing the united shirt.
@ Lee Martins – hard to argue with tha First XI, I would just add -
Bench: VDS, Vidic, Evra, Rafael, Keane, Becks, Rudd, RVP
Worst United player ever for price paid pound for pound, no debate – Berbatov aka Mr Burns – haha – let’s see the brigade come out now and fill this thread up.
On a separate note:
Javier Hernandez’s representative Eduardo Hernandez has refuted the latest bout of speculation linking the Mexican marksman with Real Madrid. “Javier is focused on having a good season with United,” he told ESPN Radio. “We are trying to ignore the market rumours. It’s true there is much competition in Manchester but the boy is determined to maintain a good performance and seize his opportunities. Therefore, I don’t think it’s the right time to leave Manchester United.”
Basically human beings respond to qualities in others and the strong quiet modest dignity and loyalty of Charlton, Giggs and Scholes as superb football players and team players will always win them points and a place of deep respect and affection in everyone’s hearts.
“right time to leave United”….hmmm
Story from Corriere dello Sport that Roma has turned down a €35m bid from us for one Erik Lamela – a 20yo attacking midfielder with one senior cap for Argentina.
I am really struggling with this. Why would we pay €35m for one 20 AMF when we wouldn’t pay 1M to keep Paul Pogba?
Smell of horse manure fills the air?!
NBI,
After a rough calculation Djemba2 is actually worse than Berbatov (high level only, salary isn’t included).
Without Berba Utd wouldn’t have won 19,he carried Utd’s front line while Rooney was having issues more than paid his transfer fee.Berba doesn’t even enter the discussion on worst Utd player ever.I’ll say it again if Sir Alex had used Berba more last season Utd would already have 20
If Liam Miller did not come on free, he could be right up there with Djemba
Story from Corriere dello Sport that Roma has turned down a €35m bid from us for one Erik Lamela – a 20yo attacking midfielder with one senior cap for Argentina.
I am really struggling with this. Why would we pay €35m for one 20yo AMF when we wouldn’t pay 1M to keep Paul Pogba?
Liam Miller was not great, might chuck in Taibi – i think we payed 4 million? I think thats a million a game or per error lol
And yet this great man, probably like u say, the greatest MUFC player of all time wait for it…………yip – cheaed on his wife with that slag imogen thomas and wait for it…………..yip his brothers fuckin wife! And nobody seems to give a flying fuck! Amazing! Fuckin hell giggs lad, what were you thinking. Still can’t believe it to be honest!
Max – we all make mistakes, we are all human and i seem to remember his brother was a complete prick when he was younger… not saying it is OK, just saying it may have impacted on his choice.
This is a football blog, so in terms of football, he is damn good. In terms of his private life, ask miss Thomas if he was any good…..
Berbatov a.k.a The Godfather is a class act. Along with Chico, one of our highlights from #19. His price tag was never his fault, city inflated it and fergie decided to pay it. Still have a lot of respect for that lad. Giggsy is just on another level though, he is just Manchester United through an through, a genuine R.E.D.
Not hard to believe having to beat off good looking pussy with a stick every day of the week must be hard to do.As far as I know he’s not Saint Ryan ,in this day and age high profile sports figures are like Rock Stars.Never understood why they get married before they finish their careers in the first place.Not a lifestyle conducive to a steady marriage
” Just as the Pope is regarded as God’s representative on earth ”
- By election.
Anyway
Ryan Giggs is Manchester United’s greatest ever player.
I dont think he is the most talented though.
So Chelsea go through, setting up a tasty Quarter final at Old Trafford on Mar 10 (unless rescheduled).
Chelsea will be 9th consecutive Premier League opponent United will face in the competition.
Has to be rigged, innit?!
We last face a lower league opponent in 2011 when we beat Crowley Town at OT in the 5th round.
We’ve had fuckall but bother with Argetinian players let Lamela play for City or somebody.
Max isn’t a United fan. On occasion he pops on to spew his bile. Fuck off you cunt.
Ha as if Berbatov is the worst signing. As Wayne said without him we wouldn’t have nineteen. Who else was gonna bang the goals in when Rooney lost his swede?
Parryheid. Agreed.
Just flicked Athletico game on and within 3 minutes there has been 2 dreadful dives. Fucking embarrassing league. Pathetic.
Fletch wasn’t that a 1-0 win and the lads were shit.I don’t mind prem opposition lads take it more seriously and Sir Alex tends to pick a stronger side
I agree with Parry fuck the Argies nothing but trouble
Anyone watching Rafa’s Postmatch. Comedy gold!
Taking shots at the board for putting INTERIM in his title.
Taking shots at the fans for not getting behind the team.
Warns fans they will be in Europa league next year if they don’t get behind the team!
Oi me!
hahah Benitez is fucking nuts. Man how fucking awesome would it be if Benitez stays as Chelsea manager, bobby wank stays as shitty manager, Rodgers as liverpool and Wenger as arsenal
@ Sushi and Fletch
Remember thinking the same thing when he was at Anfailed. For the love of god, please, keep this man in upper tier premiership management. It’s like starting out the season -10 points. Avram Grant thinks Benitez is a muppet.
Loved that. Brilliant piece!
KRAB ** KEEP RAFA AT THE BRIDGE! **
Just been on the comedy channel that is RAWK, and one of the obtuse twats posted this.
Re: Rafa vs Chelsea fans
« Reply #51 on: Today at 10:38:36 PM »
Shame he won’t be in charge for when those ‘orrible cants come up here. See how to show proper respect to a manager.
Yeah just like they did to Woy. Fuckin dippers have an imagination Walt Disney would have been proud of.
FSW pretends that he was always temporary:
“I’m disappointed with some fans. They have to support the team instead of wasting time making banners. They have to support the team. They (Chelsea) gave me the title of interim manager, which is a massive mistake. I am the manager and I will manage this club. The fans are not helping us. I am a professional and I will do my job. At the end of the season I will leave.”
Don’t be too sure of that Benitez, the end of the season is a long way away.
FSW is fucking awesome this week had a verbal with Terry accused the players of getting previous managers fired now taking shots at the board and fans
LOL he lost the plot at Dipperville,Rents Boys 3 times the circus the cunt is right out of Faulty Towers
@Wayne ahahah fucking Brilliant.
We need Benitez in the EPL he does fucking wonders for destroying teams!!! KEEP RAFA AT CHELSEA
WIth him and bobby wank who needs fucking comedians
@FletchTHEMAN
amazig “luck” for us, 9th consecutive Premier League opponent , CRAZy
but we are ManUtd and we’ll go through when we want!
I also watched the A.Madrid match, and I saw some dives, but I also saw the fighting spirit.
Yes they sometimes go down more easily, but it wasn’t any fancy game for fancy boys, but it was a really tough and hard tackling game, not a game of dives!
If Benitez were to have a gay marriage, him and Kevin Keegan would be a good couple.
Sir Alex on rotation: “It is very difficult to rotate the squad at the moment. They all wanted to play against Real Madrid and there were a lot of disappointed players. That was fantastic. It is a measure of their own confidence in themselves.”
“In 1999 I left Paul Scholes out of the [Champions League] quarter-final against Inter Milan yet he was the one who scored the goal that got us through. I left him out of the semi-final because I couldn’t risk him and Roy Keane together as they were both on yellow cards. He accepted it graciously, came on, got booked and missed the final anyway. What did he do? He didn’t let it affect him. He went on to become one of the greatest players this club has ever had.”
“The players sense it could be a big year for them. But at this club, in this situation, anything can happen on the run-in. Players can all of a sudden find themselves playing in a final or an important league game because that is the kind of squad I have.”
Four home games now in 3 competitions, hope the lads keep sharp, lets end March on a legal high.
Keen to get Norwich out of the way without injuries and focus on RM. However, want to keep that 12 point gap I would expect SAF to give Rooney some game time for fitness and RVP may be a few minutes. He will likely try to rest the defenders. Last thing we need is RVP to fall on his ass in a hole again.
Here is a highlights video of the kid Erik Lamela
20yo Argentinian 6’0″ inch attacking MF.
Reports in Italy that United submitted an €35m bid for him and it was rejected by Roma.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ClWiB27Wi-k
Make of it what you will. Roma paid €12m last year. Already with 15 goals in seria A and Champions League.
This season in Serie A 21 games 11goals 2assists 64shot.
Make of it what you will.
Not holding my breath that there is anything in this.
i love giggsy. He’s my greatest player to have worn the shirt.
Like the author, i never got to see best. ROM pieces have been world class lateley. I think it all kicked off with the launching of Giles book. Class acts like rafa and bredan are making this season all the more sweeter. Cant stop chuckling at some well known blues round the way.
Telegraph reporting PSG may bid for Rooney, you know, if its enough money I think United might sell, everyone thinks the striker who may leave is Pea, while Rooney is still our star, I would not be surprised in SAF accepted a £55mn bid for him and reinvested that money.
Wayne. Quality mate on that fucking clown Manuel the fat Spanish waiter. Comedy gold.
REVEALED: The reason behind Rafa’s rant!
He was fine until the minute he was asked about playing Man United. Then he lost it! KRAB!
Transcript of Rafa’s post match!
The Red Devil made him do it!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21611367
Fletch. Ha Ha. He actually does lose the plot immediately after the mention of United. He is a fucking nutcase.
I m sure he was going to be sacked anyway when we dump his fat ass out of the FA cup he knew we will kick his ass fair and square all the way to vallencia thats why he wants to get sacked before the he gets his ass whooped all over the place ,,,,anyway good to see him losing it ,,
35 mils lalana fuck me plzzz shit news ,,acm for that price when we can get isco for atleast half of that price why go for that cunt
He totally loses it as soon as Utd are mentioned I can’t wait for Sir Alex to start winding him up again,talk about a fish at the end of a hook lol
Great piece. Just as an aside Giggs is still quite a way off his 1000th appearance for United. He has 999 total professional appearances. He’s on 931 for United, and assuming he gets to around 940 before this season is over it means he’d have to play on for two full seasons after this one while gaining 30 appearances in each. Unfortunately it’s unlikely to happen.
without a doubt giggs is the best ever…ronny at 7…after giggs,sir bobby,cantona,bestie,schmiechel,keano
Why the fck didn’t he just sign them the dick? It would not have done any harm –
“WAYNE Rooney was blasted by fans — for refusing to autograph their Manchester United memorabilia at a book-signing event. Hundreds turned up with shirts and posters but the striker refused to ink them at Waterstones, Manchester. Last week he signed products for A1 Memorabilia who advertise his penned shirts for £99. He donated the proceeds to Kidzone — an orphanage in Kenya.”
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/4816462/Wayne-Rooney-blasted-for-refusing-to-autograph-fans-Manchester-United-memorabilia.html#ixzz2MAJZphMF
Hahahaha the fat spanish waiter loses it once the Name Manchester united is mentioned, this fucker is really deluded ha
This is pure comedy gold
Gary Birtles cost 1.25M in 1980 which is reckoned to be about 23M today.
Sold for £300,000 to Nottingham Forest in 1982 after 63 appearances and 12 goals.
I think he played about 30 games before his first goal.
Morning Reds! Thankfully woke to news that Rafa is still at Chelsea and Chavs fans are eating their young. All’s right with the world then.
Also the good folks at Sportwitness take a closer look at the Erik Lamela to Manchester United story and label it proper bunk. Seems to be nothing in it but speculation from Corriere dello Sport. Go back to sleep then!
http://sportwitness.ning.com/forum/topics/the-not-so-inspiring-truth-about-manchester-united-and-35m-lamela
Thanks for all the kind comments, good to see it’s provoked some interesting debate.
united have got to be crazy to sell rooney, sometimes players like rooney are worth more than just money, much like how priceless scholes and giggs have been, rooney will be crucial in the experience he will bring to the squad in years to come. And rooney is one of these players that is just priceless, can we buy anyone better than rooney? hell no, the 80 million we got for ronaldo did not exactly inspire us to great signings in the next few years did it
If you include pre-season friendlies/testimonials he must have hit 1000 for United now!
zigoo – A certain Bryan Robson comes in that list WAY before Ronnie.
I wonder why peeps rate Rooney so much, they go as far as expressing fears whenever a bid is mentioned for him.
Rooney is a good player, not a great one. Am sorry some of you rate him so much but I don’t, thank God for RVP and Javi or else we won’t be where we are at the top of the EPL and still in the UCL and F A cup.
If someone is going to believe the hype and pay 55 million for him I will take it in a heart beat. He can’t improve more than he is right now its all down hill from here now.
Rooney as always depended on quality players around him to play well and if they can’t play with him they are always sacrificed for him ask Berba and Ruud. So IMO its not so bad a thing if he is sold and money reinvested in the squad after all he is a machinery like most footballers as displayed by his contract tantrums in 2010.