Ryan Giggs, Manchester United player

Ryan Giggs has made more appearances for Manchester United than any other player - and won more honours. His time at Old Trafford has coincided with the most successful era in Manchester United history.

Born in Cardiff, he grew up as Ryan Wilson. His father, Danny Wilson, a rugby player, brought the family to Manchester in 1980 when he signed for Swinton RLC. Ryan played schools’ football, eventually captaining England Schoolboys, and also Sunday football. In the latter he played for a local team, Deans FC, and it was while playing for Deans that he was spotted by an Old Trafford steward and recommended to Alex Ferguson. Ferguson called at the house and eventually signed Ryan, despite Ryan, at the time, being a member of Manchester City’s School of Excellence! Two years later, after his parents parted, Ryan changed his surname from Wilson to his mother’s maiden name, Giggs.

Giggs made his Manchester United debut in 1990-1991, aged seventeen. After a substitute appearance against Everton, he played his first full game against Manchester City. He scored the only goal of the game, although he later claimed it ought to have been an own goal by City defender Colin Hendry. The following season, 1991-1992, he played regularly in the first team as well as in the final of the FA Youth Cup, which Manchester United won for the first time in nearly thirty years. The next season, 1992-1993, Giggs was part of the side that won the Premiership. It was the first league title for Manchester United since 1966-1967. The club won the double the following year, with Giggs again playing most of the games. In two consecutive seasons, 1991-1992 and 1992-1993, Giggs was elected PFA Young Player of the Year.

Despite captaining England Schoolboys, Giggs had been born in Wales and was proud to play his international football for Wales. He made his debut in 1991, aged only seventeen. Between then and 2007, when he retired from international football, Giggs played sixty-four times and scored twelve goals.

From his earliest days, Giggs had speed and grace as well as talent. Quickly moving forward with the ball, he regularly went past defenders. His sudden acceleration tested opponents - and also his hamstrings. (A disciplined regime of stretching exercises was developed to prolong his fitness.) In his early seasons, Giggs played on the left wing and then, later in his career, behind a central striker or in midfield. With his speed and trickery, he created many goals for colleagues, as well as scoring a number himself. He will always be remembered for the goal he scored against Arsenal in extra-time in an FA Cup semi-final in 1998-1999. Receiving the ball in his own half, he went past numerous Arsenal defenders before scoring what proved to be the winning goal.

For nearly two decades, Giggs has been part of a number of successful Manchester United sides. He has won more medals (including eleven Premierships) than any other player and, when he came on as a substitute in the 2007-2008 UEFA Champions League Final in Moscow, he also beat Bobby Charlton’s club appearances record. He has been a great ambassador for Manchester United. Protected from the media in his early days, he has largely shunned the limelight and any celebrity that went with it. He has focussed on his football, where his combination of talent and professionalism has brought him and his club considerable success. In 2007, Giggs received the OBE for his services to football. In 2009, he was elected both PFA Players' Player of the Year and BBC Sports Personality of the Year.