Ryan Giggs, 20 years dreaming in red

Today, March 2, 2011, Ryan Giggs (Cardiff, Wales, 1973) has played no more and no less than twenty years since his debut in the Premier League with United Mancherter shirt. After starting his career on the other team from Manchester, the City (say it was training with a United shirt on ...), Alex Ferguson knocked on his door and convinced him that his place was at Old Trafford. So a day like today, but two decades ago, his coach gave him the bar exam to enter the field as a substitute for Irwin injured in a game that ended the Red Devils lost 2-0 to Everton.

Two months later played his first career start against the Citizens precisely, achieving the only goal of the game and giving his fans the first joy of many. A few days later was not part of the call for the UEFA Cup final which the English defeated the Barcelona, but there was no doubt that Giggs had already arrived to stay. Little by little she became the left wing of his team and stuck to the sidelines became an idol for the parish of the Theatre of Dreams. Percussing the side has given a thousand and one times goloriosos at United and be an example of it that legendary goal against Arsenal in the replay of the FA Cup semi-final '99, a small sample of the great dribbler who was in his younger years .

Having been chosen for England, where he was captain at lower levels, "he finally decided to join the ranks of the Welsh Team, honoring its origins. However, playing for Wales has been prevented from participating in a European Championship or World Cup, two competitions which are sure to have missed the virtues of the United Eleven. Equally has remained faithful to his team: even when he was injured and some said they would not be the same and Inter came and promised the moon and the stars, Giggs has never stopped thinking about red devil. How could it be otherwise, their football has evolved over the years, has left the explosiveness of the band for a game more tactical and veteran role in midfield. Now let's review his numbers:

Titles

• 11 Premier League titles
• 4 FA Cup, Community Shield 8, 4 Football League
• 2 Champions League

• 1 Intercontinental Cup, 1 European Super Cup, 1 World Club

Data and individual records

• 863 official games for United (158 goals)
• 606 League games (110 goals): player with most appearances in the Premier
• 64 games for Welsh Team (12 goals)
• It is the most capped player has worn the United shirt, a twist of fate, surpassed the mark of the legendary Bobby Charlton in the final of the Champions League '08, to reach the 759 shares
• It is the only player to have scored at least one goal in every edition of the Premier League since its founding in 1992
• Player with the most titles in the Premier: 11
• Top assistant in the history of the Premier
• Only player to have scored in 11 consecutive editions of the Champions League from 1996/97 to 2006/07
• Britain's leading scorer in the Champions League

• It has never been sent off for red card

Without detracting one iota the greatness of his cabinet, the good influence of Ryan Giggs at United in particular and British football generally go far beyond the cold numbers. In the past twenty years has always been an example of humility, professionalism and dedication, a man who has lived for football and away from the star-system that opened another red devil, George Best, the fifth Beatle, and elevated his maximum expression of its more illustrious teammates, David Beckham. Giggs is the opposite: you feel that your neighbor may well be the fifth.

The admiration for the Welsh Wizard is not an instant win by a goal at the right time, but is born of thousands of hours of effort just recognized. The former are fragile and change from night to morning, but the second type are forever. Ryan Giggs will be remembered by fans network devl / mem> until long after the Old Trafford now filling are gone. However, it would not be fair to deny a moment of glory, because there is no doubt that you have:

Remember that wonderful dramatic final of the Champions League held at the Camp Nou on May 26, 1999 which pitted his team against Bayern Munich. And passed on the border of the ninety minutes the United lost 1-0 (Basler, MIN6), Beckham launched a corner kick which had gone to top up to Peter Schmeichel. Bavarian defense failed to clear the first and the Red Devils try to return to put the ball in the area. The ball falls at the feet of our hero, who, without hesitation or a split second shot on goal as he can throw that took Teddy Sheringham to tie the game, a few minutes later, would eventually take a second of Ole Gunnar Solskjær. There was The Wizard of Welsh in the right place at the right time to get a foot that, at the time, had much to do with the United back to lift the Orejona after 31 years without success. And just one example of many, sure many of you can add other moments that you remember and so, together, completing the fitting tribute that he deserves the great Ryan Giggs, a living legend in football.

Photos | James Adams | Gordon Flood