Ryan Giggs expecting lots of goal-den oldies

Ryan Giggs thinks the exclusive Premier League over-40s club is going to get a raft of new members.

After signing a new one-year Manchester United deal, the Welshman is set to join the elite group next season.

So far — excluding goalkeepers — there are only two members, Gordon Strachan and Giggs’ former team-mate Teddy Sheringham.

But the evergreen playmaker believes advances in sports science will make it easier for players to prolong their careers — if they have the commitment.

Giggs, 39, said: “There are two ways of looking at it.

“Players are getting a lot of money now. Do they want to play on to their late 30s?

“But there is the other side. With the involvement of sports science, players looking after themselves more — and the facilities are so much better.

“So if they want to, and if they have the desire, players can go on a lot longer than they used to.”

His recent appearance against Real Madrid was Giggs’ 1000th in senior football.

As nearly 70 of those have come for Wales and Great Britian, the veteran is still some way off hitting the milestone for United.

But even reaching his current tally was unthinkable when he made his debut against Everton in 1991.

Giggs continued: “As you enter your 30s, you are just trying to play for as long as you can and get as much out of the game as you can.

“Luckily, I have managed to stay injury free and also had the continuity of the manager.

“I have looked after myself as well, but no-one could envisage getting to 1000 games.”

United have two games in 48 hours over the Easter weekend and Giggs will hope to play in at least one.

He added: “It is strange to have two important games in such a short space of time.

“But I guess it was a question of trying to fit it in.

“The squad is looking good at the minute and hopefully after the international break everyone will have a fully fit squad and we will be able to handle two games in 48 hours.”