Razzle Dazzle Giggs …
Another volley of criticism has followed United’s latest European folly and the Carling Cup struggle of the club’s lesser lights to overcome League One opposition from Crewe. Reaction to the crash in Copenhagen from some quarters was as predictable as it was exaggerated. United suffered a bad day at the office principally because Sir Alex’s Rafa-lutionary tactics blew up in his face. The team should not have lost, given the quality of the internationals on view but only too rarely summoned the enthusiasm needed to win.
The match did provide further evidence that the state of Louis Saha’s fitness may soon become as important as the summer obsession with Rooney’s metatarsal.
United fans might also wish say to a prayer for the preservation of the Welsh national treasure that is Ryan Giggs. With scientists now able to clone mice, rabbits and even sheep, can not some of the Glazer billions be directed towards replicating Ryan?
The winger is enjoying a fine season, rolling back the years to help United confound their critics with impressive displays against Fulham, Newcastle and Bolton. Giggs’ contribution was recognised last August when he scooped the Barclays player of the month prize. This was all the more heart-warming as the 32 year old was meant to be no more than a squad player this term.
Saha, Scholes, Vidic and Ronaldo have each emerged with credit in despatches from football’s front line so far. Of course, the fortunes of United, with a weekly playing-field parade of some £100 million worth of talent, do not rely on just one player. However, Giggs has become something of a talisman for the team this season. When the Welshman is available to run down the left wing, United have genuine momentum. The team play is buoyant and brimming with verve and menace. With Giggs in the stands, United simply do not carry the same threat.
The match statistics speak for themselves. United have won every one of the eight league and European games in which Giggs has featured. The team has fared less well in his absence, winning four, drawing one and losing two games.
Giggs provided a masterful cameo when coming on at half-time during United’s match against Wigan. He then repeated the performance, to leave Bolton fullback Nicky Hunt befuddled, during United’s stunning victory at Bolton. The Observer newspaper’s match reporter raved about Giggs, claiming he “sliced open the home defence at will.”
Gigg’s Indian summer has won acclaim from near and far. When the Welsh player of his generation limped out of the Champions League clash with Celtic last September, Sir Alex was devastated. “It was absolute agony to lose him,” Ferguson said. “He has been the leader of the team in many ways. To lose him so early is a blow to us. His form has been absolutely outstanding.
“Players do tend to get more consistency as they get older. By living the right way and playing the game the right way, Ryan is able to last longer and we are getting the benefit. Ryan has added the bit of cunning to his game that experienced players have. Defenders find it difficult to pick him up.”
Former team mate David Beckham, sees in Giggs, inspiration for his own battle to find his form again at Real Madrid. “I just look at Ryan Giggs” the former England captain declared. “In my last two years at Manchester United he received some incredible criticism and you look at him now and he is one of the most in-form players for United.”
Perhaps the greatest compliment that can be paid to Giggs is that he has seen off all potential rivals at Old Trafford. Lee Sharpe sunk without trace in the face of Giggs 1990’s charge to greatness and Sir Alex didn’t bother to sign a left-sided winger for a decade. Park Ji Sung arrived two years ago when it looked as if Father Time had caught up with the Welsh wonder. The Korean is now injured but even so, has done nothing so far to convince that he is better than, or even equal to United’s wing master.
Giggs is that rare example of a self-less wideman, with the pace and tricks to beguile any defender but, take note Cristiano Ronaldo, posessed of the football intelligence and understanding that makes him willing to track back and help out in defence when needed. As the George Best of the 1990’s, Giggs is a model too, of how to make the most of an immense natural talent and resist the Bling-embrace.
Giggs has played more than 500 times for United and is currently performing at a level of consistency that defies both age and predictions of his demise. He is worthy of the contract extension that will be offered by United in the coming weeks. Fans must hope that through the course of the season Giggs’ example encourages those around him to live up to his standards as a United player. If he were to succeed, then Sir Alex really would have a team fit to take the challenge to Chelsea and win. AU
© Copyright: Absolutely United 2006
