Ryan : Still a fantastic season

Ryan Giggs is looking on the bright side of United's epic campaign, despite the major disappointment of losing a European Cup final for the first time.

The 0-2 loss to Barcelona was the 66th result of a season in which the Reds have won four trophies - Barclays Premier League, Club World Cup, Carling Cup and Community Shield - and almost won three others - the Super Cup, FA Cup and Champions League.

"It’s been a fantastic season when you consider what we’ve achieved this year – including our third league title on the trot," Ryan told MUTV.

"We just fell at the final hurdle. No team has defended the Champions League, it's a very difficult trophy to win. We deserved to get to the final but we didn’t deserve to win.

"Barcelona did deserve to win. They are a good team and if they go one-nil up, they’re the best in the business at keeping the ball. They can make teams look ordinary.

"We didn’t really recover after conceding the first goal. In the second half we improved a bit but it just wasn’t to be."

Giggs and co will now strive to reclaim the trophy next term, when the final's in Madrid.

"That’s what we’ll be aiming for," said Ryan. "Big teams have disappointments but they bounce back. That’s what we’ll be trying to do.”

Giggs : We can rule Europe

United have been undoubted rulers of the English game in the Premier League era, but Ryan Giggs believes the continental schooling undertaken by the current squad could see the Reds reign in Europe for years to come.

First up, the wise old Welshman is targeting a second Champions League triumph in as many seasons. The Reds would be the first club to retain the trophy and Giggs feels victory over Barcelona could see the dawn of an era of dominance on the European stage.

“Everything is in place,” he said on Wednesday. “The age of the team is relatively young if you take out me, Nev, Scholesy and Edwin.

"We’ve proved this season that we can get to the final again, and hopefully that gives us the confidence to carry on and dominate. That’s what we’ve done in our own league and we want to do that in Europe. We’ve got everything in place to do that.”

Barcelona will no doubt have similar designs of taking up residence on European football’s throne, and Giggs believes there couldn’t be a tougher final opponent.

“This match determines the best club in Europe this season,” he said. “It’s the two best teams in England and Spain, and also from performances in the Champions League.

"It’s the dream final, two fantastic, massive clubs who play football the right way. Everyone’s looking forward to it, including the players.”

That United have reached consecutive finals is no stroke of luck. The emergence from the harsh lessons of semi-final defeat to AC Milan in 2005 has only made the team stronger.

For Giggs, already into his thirties at that point, it was just a case of putting his faith in Sir Alex allowing the team to evolve.

“We had the players to get to a Champions League final then,” Giggs adds. “But the likes of Wayne [Rooney] and Cristiano [Ronaldo] had just come to the club. They hadn’t matured into the world class players they are now.

"With the players the manager has brought in, we’ve just got better and better since. From the first trophy this team won - the League Cup where we beat Wigan - we’ve gone from strength to strength.

“I just put my trust in the manager. He’s won so much. At that time we were saying the team was evolving and we were trying to get the age of the team down. That takes time. We probably did it quicker than we thought we would.”

Ryan revels in home rule

Ryan's record Saturday's draw with Arsenal meant Ryan could savour winning the title at Old Trafford for only the second time. Here's how the previous 10 have been clinched...

1992/93 - Aston Villa lost to Oldham
1993/94 - Blackburn lost at Coventry
1995/96 - United won at Middlesbrough
1996/97 - Liverpool drew at Wimbledon, while Newcastle drew at West Ham
1998/99 - United beat Spurs at OT
1999/00 - United won at Southampton
2000/01 - Arsenal lost to Middlesbrough
2002/03 - Arsenal lost to Leeds
2006/07 - Chelsea drew with Arsenal
2007/08 - United won at Wigan

For all his trophies and medals, Ryan Giggs has rarely been able to savour his success in front of a packed Old Trafford. Little surprise, then, that English football's most decorated player was delighted to secure his 11th Premier League title in M16.

While the Reds were jittery and nowhere near their best against Arsenal, the title-tipping point was procured to see off the lingering challenge of second-placed Liverpool - much to Giggs' elation.

"It feels brilliant," Ryan told MUTV. "We've been talking about doing it in front of our own fans, and that's what makes it so special. Not relying on someone else losing or doing it away from Old Trafford, it was brilliant to do it today.

"It was agony for the second half, if I'm honest, and it probably was for the fans as well. The one team you don't want to play against is Arsenal, because they keep the ball so much and they're a top side, and they came to spoil the party. We defended brilliantly as we have done all season and managed to get there."

Giggs has never been one to dwell on his multiple successes, and he is already contemplating the possibility of more silverware next season.

"It's been a special time at the club since the manager took over and we've managed to win so much. Hopefully we can carry that on. I don't think anyone's ever done it (won the league title) four times on the trot before so there's another record that hopefully we can break."

Papers: Reds will turn the screw

Ryan is champion at the bit

Ryan Giggs has warned Arsene Wenger Manchester United are ready to turn the screw in their Champions League crunch tomorrow. United warmed up for their semi-final second-leg clash against Arsenal with an easy win at Middlesbrough on Saturday. And wing ace Giggs, 35, said: “We’ve got our noses in front for Tuesday, but Arsenal are a quality side. They create chances but we hope that we’ll create chances, too. We will try and score and make it difficult for them. In the end it was quite straightforward at Boro and that was ideal for us with a massive game coming up. It has set us up nicely. We wanted the momentum we currently have to carry on into the Arsenal game and that’s what we’ve got. A professional performance, a clean sheet, two goals and now we go into Tuesday full of confidence.” - Steve Brenner, The Sun

The Sun also quotes Sir Alex Ferguson on the possible outcome at Arsenal - "It could even go to penalty kicks" - and one of the difficulties of being a manager - "The horrible part of football is you fall in love with your players. A time comes when you see a deterioration (in players) and you know you have to make the change. A lot of people can’t do it.”

Theo Walcott represents Arsenal's point of view in The Times. The winger, described by the newspaper as "one of several Arsenal players who failed to do themselves justice" in the first leg, is quoted as saying: "United is the biggest game of our careers. It’s massive and I think we can do it as well. It was quite difficult to get into the game last week. I think a lot of the attacking players could say that. We didn’t create any chances, other than a few bits and pieces. Hopefully we can create some chances on Tuesday."

Round up by Adam Bostock

Ryan calls for repeat display

United will take a slender advantage to the Emirates on Tuesday night, but Ryan Giggs says the Reds have no intention of merely sitting back and preserving the lead.

Instead, he says, United need to stick to the principles of attacking football that have served the team so well in recent years.

“We have to go down to London and play like we did in the first game [last Wednesday],” he said. “We’ll have no problems then.”

At the halfway point in the two-legged Champions League semi-final tie, the Reds lead 1-0 courtesy of John O’Shea’s early strike at Old Trafford. A United goal on Tuesday night would mean Arsenal would have to score three times to progress.

And Giggs has hinted the Reds might chase that valuable away goal.

“We’re in a good position but we’re under no illusions. Arsenal are a top team and they’re capable of scoring goals.

“We’ll have to look after their match-winners – Fabregas, Adebayor, van Persie if he’s fit, Walcott – but you also have to stamp your own authority on the game because we’ve got match-winners as well.

“[At Old Trafford] we went out with the intention of getting the crowd going and playing at a quick tempo. We’re at our best when we play with a quick tempo so that’s what we tried to do.

“Like I said, if we play to the ability we did last week then we’ll have no problems.”

Giggs made his 800th appearance for the Reds in the first leg when he came on as a substitute and would love to add to that tally at the Emirates. The most experienced player to ever pull on a United shirt, Giggs would provide Sir Alex with vital composure in the centre of the park.

But, the 35-year-old concedes, not everybody can play every game at this stage of the season.

“It doesn’t matter who the manager picks,” Giggs says. “Everyone’s playing well and in good form. You can’t be involved in every game but when you do come in you have to make your mark.”

Ryan Giggs was speaking to ManUtd.com, BBC Radio, Key 103 and Press Association.

Giggs : Fight to the finish

Seven points from four games will assure United of a third successive Barclays Premier League title, but Ryan Giggs insists the Reds aren't getting ahead of themselves.

Relentless Ryan

"We just wanted to get this one out of the way. We’ve done that and now we’ve just got to concentrate on the remaining games, because Liverpool are a good side and they’ll definitely fight to the end."

- Ryan Giggs

Saturday's stroll at Middlesbrough put the Reds six points clear of Liverpool, but Giggs - going for his record-extending 11th league title - expects the Merseysiders to keep plugging away.

"We always pencilled this in as a tough game," Giggs told Sky Sports at the Riverside Stadium. "It always is against Middlesbrough and we struggled here last year.

"We just wanted to get this one out of the way. We’ve done that and now we’ve just got to concentrate on the remaining games, because Liverpool are a good side and they’ll definitely fight to the end."

Giggs opened the scoring in fine fashion against Gareth Southgate's side, and it was a fitting end to a perfect week for the Welshman.

"It’s been a great week," he said. "Winning the (PFA Player of the Year) award, reaching 800 appearances and scoring today, it really couldn't have gone ant better."

Ryan reaches 800

Ryan Giggs capped arguably the most prestigious award of his career by making a landmark appearance against Arsenal on Wednesday night.

Just three days after picking up the PFA Player of the Year trophy in London, the United veteran played a remarkable 800th game for the club when he came on as a substitute for Anderson in the second half at Old Trafford.

His introduction brought maturity to the team's play as the Reds sealed an important 1-0 first-leg win over the Gunners and it almost brought a second goal - only for a linesman's flag to ruin Ryan's fun after he'd rounded Manuel Almunia and slotted the ball home.

Cristiano Ronaldo spoke of his admiration for Giggs in his post-match interview on MUTV.

"It's an unbelievable achievement," said Ronaldo. "And he deserved his award because he's had a fantastic season, helping the team to score goals.

"Eight hundred games is unbelievable and I hope to be like him one day."

Ryan Giggs PFA Player of the Year

Ryan Giggs reflects on being voted PFA Player of the Year by his fellow professionals...

I'm really pleased, really proud to have won the award - and pleased for my team-mates as well because without them, I wouldn't have been able to get it.

It's a special award because it's voted for by the people who see you first hand - the players you play against week in, week out.

I don't know about it being a long time coming. Some outstanding people have won it while I've been playing and, consistency-wise, I've probably improved over the last few years.

The ten days at the end of last season - coming on and scoring at Wigan and then winning the Champions League - were massive and definitely the highpoints of my year.

I wouldn't say the award means more to me at this stage of my career than it would have done earlier. But I think I will appreciate it more, because I'm probably not going to get it again... I'm running out of time!

At 35, you start to think you're never going to win awards like that. It was obviously a great surprise and I had a great night down in London. I hope I can celebrate it further with a win against Arsenal on Wednesday night.

Hopefully it won't be the last honour I pick up. Still going well in the league and the Champions League, we're all hoping for an exciting end to the season.

Ryan Giggs was talking to MUTV's Mandy Henry.

The views expressed in this blog are personal to the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Manchester United FC.

Ryan eyes new landmark

Ryan Giggs is on the brink of making his 800th United appearance for the Reds, and it's just yet another reminder of the Welsh midfielder's astonishing achievements as a player at Old Trafford.

Giggs was outstanding in his 799th run-out for United in the 2-0 win over Portsmouth on Wednesday. He will make it 800 if he plays against either Tottenham on Saturday or Arsenal on Wednesday.

“Ryan is the most respected player at the club," said Reds boss Sir Alex. "What he has achieved is an example for everyone.

“When you think of Danny Welbeck and Federico Macheda, who played in the semi-final last week, Ryan made his debut about the time they were born! It’s unbelievable. Whatever accolades he gets, he deserves them."

Giggs has won just about all the game has to offer, but so far the PFA Player of the Year award has proved elusive. Sir Alex thinks it would be a fitting tribute if the 35-year-old was handed the trophy at the annual ceremony in London this Sunday.

“I hope [he gets it]," added the boss. "He’s played 40 games this season. The way you use squads today, not everyone plays all the games, very few do. So hopefully he is rewarded for his contribution to the game, and he would thoroughly deserve it.

“We’re a very special club that way, in that players put down there career at a club like us. Being local boys does help. Players like Giggs and Paul Scholes are not in on sentiment, they’re there on ability.”

Michael Carrick agrees, saying that Scholes, who made his 600th appearance on Wednesday, and Giggs are have achieved extraordinary levels of success which he aspires to.

"They're just unbelievable professionals with fantastic talent and ability," Carrick told MUTV. "They are great people to learn from and the perfect example of what it takes to be a winner at this club.

"They're an inspiration to us all. To keep producing over such a long period at the highest level is frightening. Not many people can do that and it speaks volumes for the kind of players and people they are."

Inspiring Reds

"What's left to say about them? They're just unbelievable professionals with fantastic talent and ability who are great people to learn from. They're the perfect example of what it is to be a winner at this club."

- Michael Carrick

Ryan Giggs
Age - 35
Appearances - 799
Goals - 147

Paul Scholes
Age - 34
Appearances - 600
Goals - 142