OTD: Ryan Giggs Makes Manchester United Debut

This piece comes to you from The Pride of London contributor Muneeb Khan, follow him on Twitter @MUK734

Exactly 22 years ago on March 2, 1991, Ryan Joseph Giggs made his Manchester United debut. Three of his current team-mates (Phil Jones, Wilfried Zaha, and Adnan Januzaj) weren’t even born. Little did anyone know that he would break all sorts of records at the club. He was a skinny 17 year old who only signed his first professional contract three months earlier. Ryan Giggs came on as a substitute for the injured Denis Irwin in a 2-0 loss against Everton FC. He showed glimpses of his potential, but would only be play in one more match for the rest of the season. The left-wing position was occupied by another youngster, Lee Sharpe.

Giggs and Ferguson talking about the debut:

At the time, Man United were not yet title contenders (finishing 6th in the table) but were successful in the cup competitions that season – reaching the League Cup Final and UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup. The following season of 1991-92, Giggs would break into the team and eventually win the left-wing spot in the starting line-up. His speed and pace was unmatched (as Arsenal fans would not so fondly remember). He has scored in 23 straight seasons of English’s top-flight football. He has credited his work ethic and yoga exercises for allowing him to keep playing as long as he has.

Along the way of breaking Bobby Charlton’s long-held record of 758 appearances and scoring 168 goals, he has became the most prolific player in English football history – winning 13 Premier League titles, 2 Champions League titles, 4 FA Cups, 2 League Cups, 1 Super Cup, and 2 Club World Cups. Even when age started to catch up with him in the mid-2000s, he adjusted his game and became more of a passer. This season he has concentrated more on his coaching duties and played only 18 games. Whenever he decides to retire, he will be remembered as not only one of Man United’s greats, but also a football legend.

Sources: ESPN, The Guardian, BBC

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