MANCHESTER (Reuters) - Record-breaking Manchester United
midfielder Ryan Giggs can play for a further two seasons, manager
Alex Ferguson believes. Giggs, 33, became the first player to win
nine English league titles when he helped United to clinch their
first championship since 2003 last weekend. And after another
outstanding season's service for the club where he made his debut
in 1991, Ferguson sees no end to Giggs's prolific United
career.
"He's been amazing in terms of having the capacity to keep wanting
to do it," Ferguson told reporters. "I think Ryan will play for the
next two years because he has looked after himself and the type of
physique he has got. "He has retained, I think quite remarkably,
most of his pace. "He is maybe not as grease lightning he was as a
17-year-old lad but he is still quick enough and he still retains
that great balance to beat men in tight situations."
Wales international Giggs, whose 714 United appearances place him
second behind the record of 752 set by Bobby Charlton, is no longer
the out-and-out left winger he has been for much of his United
career.
CREATIVE PLAYER
But he continues to exert a major influence as a creative player
from a more central role, where Ferguson sees his future. "It suits
Ryan at his age to be in a far more protected position. For 15
years or so he has been tramping up and down that touchline and
there's no players in the Premier League have done that," Ferguson
said. "There have been games I have played him wide left this
season but mainly we seem him as a central player, either central
midfield or a player who can play off the front."
Much of United's success this season has been attributed to the
attacking flair of Wayne Rooney, 21, and Cristiano Ronaldo, 22. But
the new champions have also been well served by their senior
players and, like Giggs, Ferguson expects them to continue to lead
by example. "He (Giggs) and Paul Scholes and Gary Neville should be
no problem for the next two years," Ferguson said. "Nev, as a
defender can make it to 36. Paul Scholes has done remarkably well
coming back. He has had a great season and should be fine for two
years... "Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has given me 11 goals this season
and if he gives me another 11 next season we will be dancing. There
are good contributions there."
United will receive the Premier League trophy after their final
game against West Ham United at Old Trafford on Sunday. Ferguson
will have half an eye on next Saturday's FA Cup final against
Chelsea but feels an obligation to field a stronger line-up than
the one that drew at Chelsea in mid-week with West Ham fighting to
avoid relegation, along with Wigan and Sheffield United, who play
each other. "It will be a strong team to represent ourselves in a
proper way and be fair to everyone," Ferguson said.
United will again be without injured captain Gary Neville, while
Louis Saha looks set to miss the rest of the season along with
Mikel Silvestre and Ji-sung Park.
