Goal.com 50: Ryan Giggs (34)

Our definitive countdown of the best players of 2010-11 continues with the evergreen Welshman, who continues to be a shining star in the Premier League and beyond 

By Adam Scime

Aug 2, 2011 4:00:00 AM   

Manchester United's squad boasts a host of stellar names and rising youngsters, and at the beginning of the season few would have predicted that the veteran figure of Ryan Giggs would have such a monumentally positive impact in 2010-11.

Giggs is one of those players who seems to go on and on, but the consistency of high level performances also continues; similar to Paolo Maldini or Javier Zanetti, age is of little issue.

Integral to the 37-year-old's success last season was a move into a central midfield position, where he succeeded in becoming a fulcrum of Manchester United's play - his experience and vision proving useful tools in the Red Devils' bid for success domestically and in Europe.
The player started his year on the right track, capturing the Community Shield after playing a substitute role in a 3-1 win over Chelsea. In addition, during the course of the campaign, the 20th anniversary of his senior team debut was reached, with Giggs showing no signs of slowing down.

And there were more milestones to be accrued early on: the Welshman's goal in its opening fixture against Newcastle made him the only player to score in every season of the Premier League since it began in 1992.
n January, Giggs marked his 600th league appearance for the club in a match against Tottenham, and soon after surpassed legend Bobby Charlton's 607 displays to become the all-time league appearance holder for Manchester United, further entrenching himself in the history of the club.

Overall, he made 25 appearances, scoring twice and grabbing six assists for manager Sir Alex Fergsuon en route to the Premier League title, as they dethroned Carlo Ancelotti's Blues.

However, Giggs' most noteworthy performances were in the UEFA Champions League, being included in Goal.com's team of the tournament.

Becoming the Red Devil's oldest outfield player ever to feature in the competition, the veteran was the architect of the team's achievement of reaching the final, and was simply brilliant in the knockout stages.

After assisting one of Chicharito's goals in a pivotal 2-1 win at Old Trafford over French outfit Marseille in the Round of 16, Giggs' pulled the strings in a virtuoso two-legged performance versus rivals Chelsea. The Welshman's expertise and creativity were evident as he set up all three of United's goals in the two-game tie against its compatriots.

His inspired form in the tournament continued against German upstarts Schalke, who had already disposed of Valencia and Inter, in the semi-finals. In a 2-0 first-leg triumph, Giggs' opener made him the oldest player ever to score in the high-profile European tournament, as the records continued to be broken.

United, however, fell at the ultimate hurdle, losing to Spanish giants Barcelona 3-1 in the final at Wembley; a match where, despite assisting Wayne Rooney's goal, Giggs and his teammates were unable to achieve victory.

"Giggs is one of those players that seems to go on and on, but the consistency of high-level performances also continues; like a Paolo Maldini or Javer Zanetti, age is of little issue."

In the spring, a scandal affected Giggs' personal life, but on the pitch there can be no argument: his undoubted class was fundamental for United in 2010-11. With the knowledge his career will continue for a further year after signing a contract extension until June 2012, fans of the Premier League champions will be hoping for more of the same from the Welsh wizard.