Sports / Soccer
Giggs has no plans to retire despite turning 40
29 Nov 2013 at 02:43hrs | Views
Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs has no plans to retire despite turning 40 on Friday.
The Welshman has spent his whole career at Old Trafford, making 953 club appearances since making his debut against Everton in 1991.
"I'm lucky that I have been at one club, where I am surrounded by good players and a good manager," he said.
"It can be hard sometimes but I am still enjoying it. As long as that is the case I will carry on."
He added: "I still want to do well in every game, want to win trophies and my focus needs to be on that."
Giggs, who has won as many league titles as Arsenal (13), is out of contract at the end of the season and although he has also taken on coaching duties he wants to continue to play for as long as possible.
Should Giggs be offered, and sign, a new one-year contract it would take his stay at United to 24 years and could see him reach the landmark of 1,000 appearances for the Red Devils.
"If I'd moved from club to club I'd be finished by now," he added, as is the case with fellow 'Class of 92' members David Beckham, Phil Neville and Nicky Butt.
He has also outlasted Gary Neville and Paul Scholes who both retired after spending their entire careers at Old Trafford.
"I look after myself and try to train every day in order to make myself available for selection," added Giggs.
"I enjoy it as much as I can and, of course, try to contribute to the team."
That contribution has helped United to win 13 Premier League titles, four FA Cups, four League Cups, two Champions League trophies, one Uefa Super Cup, one Intercontinental Cup and one Fifa Club World Cup, as well as nine Community Shields.
"I don't know what the younger lads think of me," added Giggs.
"When I was 17 and 18 I thought 31 was ancient. And here I am at 40!""
The Welshman has spent his whole career at Old Trafford, making 953 club appearances since making his debut against Everton in 1991.
"I'm lucky that I have been at one club, where I am surrounded by good players and a good manager," he said.
"It can be hard sometimes but I am still enjoying it. As long as that is the case I will carry on."
He added: "I still want to do well in every game, want to win trophies and my focus needs to be on that."
Giggs, who has won as many league titles as Arsenal (13), is out of contract at the end of the season and although he has also taken on coaching duties he wants to continue to play for as long as possible.
Should Giggs be offered, and sign, a new one-year contract it would take his stay at United to 24 years and could see him reach the landmark of 1,000 appearances for the Red Devils.
"If I'd moved from club to club I'd be finished by now," he added, as is the case with fellow 'Class of 92' members David Beckham, Phil Neville and Nicky Butt.
He has also outlasted Gary Neville and Paul Scholes who both retired after spending their entire careers at Old Trafford.
"I look after myself and try to train every day in order to make myself available for selection," added Giggs.
"I enjoy it as much as I can and, of course, try to contribute to the team."
That contribution has helped United to win 13 Premier League titles, four FA Cups, four League Cups, two Champions League trophies, one Uefa Super Cup, one Intercontinental Cup and one Fifa Club World Cup, as well as nine Community Shields.
"I don't know what the younger lads think of me," added Giggs.
"When I was 17 and 18 I thought 31 was ancient. And here I am at 40!""
Source - BBC
