Ryan Giggs' 963 Appearances

Lore & Background

Giggs was born in Cardiff but moved to Manchester at age six when his father joined Swinton RLFC. He began his career with Manchester City, but joined Manchester United on his 14th birthday in 1987. He made his professional debut in 1991 and spent the next 23 years in the first team. He retired from playing at the end of the 2013–14 season, holding the club record for competitive appearances – 963. He became interim player-manager after David Moyes was sacked, then assistant manager under Louis van Gaal. Giggs left United in July 2016 following the appointment of José Mourinho. He won 13 Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, two UEFA Champions League titles, a FIFA Club World Cup, an Intercontinental Cup, a UEFA Super Cup, and nine FA Community Shields. At international level, he played for Wales 64 times between 1991 and 2007, captained Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics, and became Wales manager in January 2018. He led Wales to qualification for UEFA Euro 2020 but did not manage at the tournament due to arrest on suspicion of assault; Rob Page took charge. Giggs resigned in June 2022.

In Their Own Story

The rain slicks the pitch at Old Trafford on a grey January afternoon, but for Ryan Giggs, the conditions are familiar. He receives a pass near the halfway line, not with the frantic sprint of his youth, but with a measured, gliding stride that covers ground effortlessly. As he turns, shielding the ball from a younger defender, there is no hesitation, only a lifetime of instinct guiding him toward the byline where history waits to be written once more.

Reader's Guide

Giggs was the first player to win two consecutive PFA Young Player of the Year awards (1992 and 1993). He won the PFA Players' Player of the Year in 2009. He was the only player to play in each of the first 22 Premier League seasons and the only player to score in each of the first 21 seasons. He holds the record for most assists in Premier League history (162) and most assists in UEFA Champions League history (41). He was elected into the PFA Team of the Century in 2007, the Premier League Team of the Decade in 2003, and the FA Cup Team of the Century. He was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2009 and appointed OBE in the 2007 Birthday Honours.

Did You Know?

• Giggs is one of only 63 players to have made over 1,000 career appearances.
• He won 13 Premier League titles, more than any other player in history.
• He holds the record for most assists in Premier League history with 162.
• He was the first player to win two consecutive PFA Young Player of the Year awards.
• He changed his surname from Wilson to Giggs at age 16 after his mother remarried.