Ryan Giggs: The End of an Era

"Ryan Giggs, Ryan Giggs running down the wing, Ryan Giggs running down the wing, Feared by the blues, Loved by reds, Ryan Giggs, Ryan Giggs, Ryan Giggs."

It hurts me to see Ryan Giggs give a below par performance in matches nowadays. A master of the trade a few years back, he is clearly over the hill now. His commitment to the game, to the team, is as it was in 1992 when he made his debut. But his body has given up on him.

The fact that this may be his last season is evident after the statisticians at Old Trafford reduced the matches played by Bobby Charlton from 759 to 758. Somehow I feel that this has been done so that Giggsy breaks the record this season and can retire later on. His performances up till this season have been as consistent as ever. But it seems like age has finally caught up.

Should Manchester United win another league title or European cup,which they most probably will, he will break the record of Phil Neal as the most successful British player. A record he thoroughly deserves.

All these years he has been a loyal servant to the club.The rise of Ryan Giggs and the rise of Manchester United are so similar, that if two graphs would be plotted of the two, they would be identical in every aspect.

Discovered by Sir Alex as a youngster, he was signed by Fergie as a fifteen year old from rivals Manchester City.

He has played a significant part in Manchester United's success over the years. His injury time wonder goal in the FA Cup in semifinal against Arsenal in 1999 is still considered as the FA Cup's best ever goal.

He also struck at Old Trafford in extra time against Juventus in the semi final first leg of the UCL in the same year.

But more important than his goals have been his assists. Eric Cantona still consideres Ryan Giggs responsible for half of the goals he scored with Man Utd. Fergie once said that "if he scores one, he will set up two."

Of late, his experience has been vital for the youngsters that play at Utd. His maturity has helped Ferguson groom players like Ronaldo and Anderson. Next week, as he equals Sir Bobby's record appearances for Utd it will be a milestone not only for him, but also for English football.

As the career of such a great player comes to a close, I fail to see how Manchester United will replace him. The Welsh Wizard will forever be part of English footballing legend, and thoroughly deserves to be.