Ryan Giggs: An Opposing Fan's Perspective on a Manchester United Legend

As the title to this article points out, I am not a Manchester United fan. My own rooting interests regarding the Premier League have always been with another team wearing red, but I put aside my personal club allegiance to try and give my personal perspective of Ryan Giggs. Hopefully, I can do this subject some amount of justice.

Ryan Giggs made his debut for Manchester United in 1990 on his 17th birthday. The following year, he became the regular left winger for Sir Alex Ferguson and began his reign of terror on opposing teams. Blessed with incredible speed and the ability to control the ball at top speed, he was nearly impossible to handle on the wing.

I remember watching him make opposition look bad with an array of moves, then leave them behind as he went straight to top gear with his mop of hair bouncing as he went. As a teenager, he was one of the most exciting players in the world of football. To put in modern day terms, he was a Messi or Ronaldo type player able to carve up a defense with his incredible runs.  

While it was clear he was a creative force early in his career, he seemed to have some trouble with finishing off all those blazing runs as his final touch seemed to be lacking.

Unfortunately for opposing teams, Giggs only got better, and the final touch improved. It is no coincidence that United has enjoyed a run of dominance in his time with the club. 

Critics will say he has been surrounded with some of the best talent during his playing career like David Beckham, Eric Cantona, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and others which made him better. As we all know, simply having all the talent does not get you a title (see the NY Yankees).

Talented players must use those abilities inside the framework of the team to achieve success. One could say the rest of United's star players were blessed to have played on the same team as Giggs. He is the type of player who during his career has shown the ability take over a game. 

He is also able involve teammates and make those around him better. This has been more obvious in recent years when he has lost a little pace, yet successfully moved to the middle of the pitch in a deeper role in the midfield.

Giggs has given United fans many great memories and fans of other teams a great deal of heartache. The memory of him shredding the Arsenal defense on an incredible run through Adams and company in the 1999 FA Cup Semifinal will always be a dagger in this fan's heart.

I remember thinking to myself, "Would somebody put him on the ground already?" Looking back, that was the wrong way to feel as Giggs has a history of being an upstanding professional. He has never seen a red card during any league games. His humbleness in the face of all the pressures of being a star at a young age is refreshing considering how many players have been unable to handle similar success at a young age.

A list of some of his accomplishments shows the tremendous success and longevity he has enjoyed:

Twelve Premier League Titles, four FA Cups and three League Cups

Two Champions League Winners Medals (Potentially three)

One Uefa Super Cup, one Intercontinental Cup, one Fifa Club World Cup

Most games ever for United and only player to score in every Premier League season.

While the list is a great deal longer, it begs the question; where does Giggs belong in the list of all-time greats? I believe outside of United fans, he will be left out of most discussions. I feel it is unfair and due to a single component missing from his career.

When we think of the greatest players, we inevitably think of their exploits on an international stage. Pele and his three World Cups, Maradona's magical 1986 tournament, Zidane's performances in 1998 and 2006 are all brought to the forefront when discussing their greatness.

Giggs had the unfortunate circumstance of playing for a Welsh side devoid of the overall talent required to make an international tournament. During his 64 appearances for his country, Giggs scored 12 goals. This is an impressive tally when considering he was the single option during most of those years.

I feel it is an injustice for Giggs to be downgraded where he falls on the list of greatest players because of playing for a below average international side. 

I do not view Giggs as a top-five player of all time, but he does make my top 10. If I were picking a personal dream team, he would be my starting left winger. In my opinion, he deserves to be in the all-time greats discussion, no matter what color red you root for.