Ryan Giggs achieved legend status at Manchester United a long time ago. It’s hard to say when exactly this was – whether it was after his fourth or fifth Premier League title (he’s won 12 in total) after scoring his 100th goal for the club (he has scored 162) or just through the consistently inspirational ability he’s shown over the years. Nobody who saw Giggs play at the height of his career will ever forget just how impressive a talent he was. He was absolutely ferocious. Was.
Which brings us to the news that Ryan Giggs has signed yet another one-year contract extension which will ensure that the Welsh wizard enters his 22nd year with Manchester United. But at 38-years-old is this one year too many?
Yes. He may well have won 24 trophies whilst with Manchester United and may have managed to score every season since 1992, but does he really merit another year with United? Has the time finally come for him to step down?
Whilst most others his age would be considering life after being a professional footballer, it seems that Giggs wont quit until he’s given a bus pass. Shouldn’t he be wondering if he’s going to go into management? Whether he fancies a career as a pundit or a spokesperson? There’s a world of opportunities out there and I hope he’s not setting it aside just to train regularly and warm the bench at United.
I’m not questioning his quality – it’s startling that he’s still this consistent given that he has been in the game for so long, but I do have to wonder if United can’t do better. Their reliance on the players of the past, on people like Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs is backwards by definition. Shouldn’t United be looking forward to people like Wesley Sneijder and Luka Modric to fix the problems that remain in the squad?
It seems churlish to question Sir Alex Ferguson’s judgement, yet I can’t help but wonder if a degree of sentimentality has crept into his thought process. There’s no point in running Giggs into the ground – his utility for United is at an all time low – wouldn’t it be nice for him to get out on a high?
When the time comes he will deserve a massive send-off. I just hope Fergie’s decision to keep him another year isn’t a reflection on Manchester United as a club. It’s time to start looking forward.
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