Giggs is United's Mr Incredible

January 14, 2011
Posted by Steven Tan | Source from thesun.co.uk
ALEX FERGUSON has called Ryan Giggs his 'Mr Incredible' as the Welsh veteran prepares to play his 600th league game for Manchester United.
The Old Trafford legend reaches yet another milestone in his amazing career as the Red Devils travel to Tottenham tomorrow.
 
And he heads for White Hart Lane with a glowing tribute from his only club manager ringing in his ears.
 
Fergie admits he was blown away by Giggs' performance in last weekend's FA Cup victory over old rivals Liverpool. And he has been thrilled with the way the 37-year-old has upped his workload to cover for the absence of Ji-Sung Park.
 
The United boss even left the door open for extending Giggs' astonishing two-decade playing career by another 12 months.
 
Ferguson said: "Ryan is an incredible human being. He defies the logic of forwards when he plays at the level he did last Sunday.
 
"Obviously, we know how to manage him. He doesn't play every week but he makes a contribution that lifts the team.
 
"He did that in the second half last week. He was outstanding, his fitness was fantastic. He kept going for the whole 90 minutes."
 
Ferguson believes there will never be another like Giggs when the club's record appearance maker finally calls it a day. He added: "Ryan has been doing that for two decades. No other player has ever done that - or is ever likely to. He is an amazing man."
 
As for a new contract, Giggs believes it is possible but Ferguson would only say: "I haven't spoken to Ryan and I would do that first of all."
 
The United boss admits any worries they had about how they would cope while Park was at the Asian Cup have been brushed aside by Giggs.
 
Fergie added: "We have kept him fresh for that challenge. Ji-Sung is a loss because we have lost him for seven matches and that is a lot.
 
"Some of the players in Qatar were playing up to the first of January and that is probably because of their relationship with different associations.
 
"But we have lost him for seven games and he makes a tremendous contribution to our team. So therefore keeping Ryan fresh is going to be the secret for us."
 
Giggs made his first appearance for United as a sub against Everton way back on March 2, 1991 as he replaced Denis Irwin in a 2-0 defeat.
 
Back then the Da Silva twins - who are now his team-mates - were just eight months old, while Arsenal's Jack Wilshere was not even a glint in his father's eye!
 
Two months later Giggs memorably scored his first goal - the only one of the game in a Manchester derby triumph over City.
 
And a true United legend was born. The skinny Welsh lad was soon the darling of the Stretford End with his dazzling wing play.
 
But even his biggest fans could not have dared to hope that 20 years on he would still be tormenting full-backs like he did against Liverpool last weekend.
 
He surpassed Bobby Charlton's appearance record back in May 2008 but, as yet, he has shown no sign of stopping as he reaches the 600 league game mark.
 
Along the way he has become the modern game's most decorated player and has won himself a place in United folklore along with a host of admirers.
 
None more so than tomorrow's rival manager Harry Redknapp, who said: "He's a credit to the game.
 
"He's just a great player and a great lad. I don't know him very well but he's a class act on the pitch and off the pitch. He's an amazing fellow.
 
"Him and that group of players that came through together - Beckham, Scholes, Neville - were the real Man United weren't they?"
 
Giggs and United are in for arguably the biggest test yet to their hopes of going through the whole Premier League season unbeaten when they travel to Tottenham. And Fergie believes this will be the first visit to White Hart Lane where Spurs are genuine title contenders.
 
But he has warned Redknapp's men the hard work starts here as they begin 2011 chasing glory on three fronts.
 
He added: "I cannot remember them challenging for the league in my time at United so that is the change of fortunes under Harry Redknapp.
 
"The test will come for them when they have to combine the Champions League in February and if they go further in March.
 
"They'll have to combine that further with the league and FA Cup. That will be the real test for them."
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