Ryan Giggs Should Be Given the Opportunity to Keep Playing at Manchester United

It's a question Ryan Giggs has been answering for 10 years—are you thinking about retirement?

Interviewers gave up asking years ago, knowing that the answer would likely be "no chance". But Giggs has been answering the doubters on the pitch, too.

He played more than 30 games last season, scoring five goals. In the BayArena on Wednesday night, he made his 12th appearance of the season—his 953rd for United—completing 90 minutes in the 5-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen. That doesn't sound like a player who's not contributing, even if he does turn 40 this week.

If ever there was a player for which age is just a number, it's Giggs. Managers start glancing nervously at players once they pass 30. To make it to 40 and still be playing at the highest level is nothing short of a miracle.

On the occasion of his 40th birthday, Giggs will be asked the same old questions about retirement. After all, not even he can go on forever, unless of course he hangs on until regeneration technology becomes readily available and he gets his 22-year-old legs back.

But just because Giggs has passed another milestone birthday it doesn't mean he should slink away into the shadows.

After 13 Premier League titles and a host of other medals, he's clearly got no problem with motivation. With the help of regular yoga sessions, the hamstring problems that blighted his 20s have cleared up in his 30s. Against Bayer Leverkusen he looked as fit as at any time during the last 22 seasons.

The key issue for Giggs is his happiness. He's United's record appearance holder and he's won everything there is to win, unless he holds a deep desire to lift the Europa League trophy.

As long as he keeps enjoying playing football he should keep postponing retirement. If he can wake up each morning and look forward to driving into Carrington, he should keep going.

If he can run out onto the training pitch in rain, sleet and snow and still have a smile on his face, he shouldn't stop.

He has given such wonderful service to United that he has earned the right to decide how his career ends. If he wants to play on next season, or the season after, David Moyes should give him the chance to do that.

In a game that has largely sold its soul, there has to be room for a little sentiment. Otherwise, what are we all doing here?