Giggs to retire after final?

[Stephen]

What you think?

Rumours doing the rounds for a while that he will retire after Wednesday regardless of the outcome.

Breaking the appearance record, winning his 10th title, and, hopefully, touch wood, winning his second European Cup medal. Good way to leave.

Would like him to get 11 titles though, to make his shirt number.

[versa]

There is no need for him to retire yet.

Looking at his recent performances as a substitute late on in the game when there are enough tired legs and weary minds, I am confident he can still be a handful for the opponents and can probably go on for at least another 1, 2 seasons for us.

Besides this late thrust we can have, his calming presence for having been there done that (together with Scholes) has also been cited by our younger players as one of the major factors in retaining our crown this season.

Just don't play him from the start please. Spare him the embarrassment and us the heartache.

But if he chooses to retire in a Blaze of Glory, so be it. Afterall, he has done more than his fair share for United, running up and down the left flank more years than some of our younger members have ever lived.

A true legend, loyal and faithful servant indeed. And his appearance feat is unlikely to be repeated in the modern football era in which money talks louder than the heart beat.

[yangch0000]

he still got plenty to provide to the team, not necessarily on the pitch, but off the pitch as well. being the most experienced player in the squad, the younger players in the squad sure can learn lot from him. another 2 seasons should not be a problem for a professional, a great player like him.

[marty davidson]

i don't think he will i think i might play 1 more season and then call it a day.

[Keano!]

It wouldn't be a huge shock to me if he did.

If your going to go out, you may as well do it with a bang.

Championship medal, European medal, beating Sir Bobby's record by
one.....would be some story!

He may decide to saty for another year, but I'd be amazed if he stayed any longer
then that.

Its sad to see that magnificant generation aging. Scholsey and Gazza aren't too
far behind Giggsy in age.


Times are changing but thats football!

[abojodeh]

:mad:
dont be fools it is rumours
i heard a rumours say chelsea gona break up after the final drogba terry and lampard to leave
please dont be f:eek: :eek: ls
:) no offence

[Keano!]

:mad:
dont be fools it is rumours
i heard a rumours say chelsea gona break up after the final drogba terry and lampard to leave
please dont be f:eek: :eek: ls
:) no offence


abo, he's 34 years of age!

The time is nearing every day. He's been in 3 great teams and won it all.

No player can ever and will ever be able to say that again!

He was probably one of Fergies best assest over the years.


But, performance wise, being honest, he hasn't been breathtaking this season be
any means. 3 goals in 41 games so far. He's tiring and its perfectly normal that he
simply isn't as quick and alert as he was years ago.

[burnzy1987]

it is a possibility...
in my opinion it depends on whether he wants to be a squad player or leave on a high as others have said.

i'd like to see him active for another year though.

[Dynamite]

Still plenty of life in the welsh wizard, Despite being 34, he is injury free & still match fit, Ex man utd star teddy sheringham only retired from football at the age of 42, That's my opinion if these are rumours or not?

[Stephen]

They aren't just rumours of people's opinion.

A number of people with sources inside United and Carrington have said that Giggs is retiring after Wednesday; another said a senior player is retiring in the summer (meaning Giggsy??).

Obviously, these have been passed down the grapevine, and have been on Red Issue and other United boards.

Nothing certain and the "sources" could easily have got it wrong.

[Devilzz91]

It would be a fitting time for Giggs to call time on his amazing career. However, being the model professional that he is, he won't leave on a high just to make himself look good. If Fergie feels that Giggs can do a job for us next season and play as a backup to Nani, then Giggs will stay. It'll only be when Giggs feels he can no longer offer the first-team anything, that he will retire and become a coach for us.

[pass_me_a_rizla]

Iii hope Giggs calls it 2 + 11 + (insert FA cup wins) and out. Stays on next season as a mentor/back-up. Giggs is good at keeping ball posession and his cool head towards the end of matches can not be matched by a youth lad. I thin he'll stay on for a few years yet as a training mentor and coaching role. Maybe something with the kids in in the pipelines for Giggs, maybe Scholes as well.?

[NateR]

I'd think he'd wanna get Medal No.11 or at least play out his contract. His experience will be valuable for a long time to come. Nani isn't quite there yet and he can learn from the Legend.

[joviadca]

Sorry not trolling as i think Giggs as been nothing but a legend for us over the years
BUT is everyone confidence that Giggs will play a part on Weds? I cannot see him start to be honest,
AND Yes I believe he has a role either as cool mind experience or moment of skill against trying legs /minds. But both roles are as a impact sub. IMO

However football can be heartless and I cannot see Fergie starting or bring Giggs on just as a sentimental thing, FERGIE will view the game on its merits and will act accordingly . What best for the team and what can a secure victory AND RIGHTLY SO.
So the record may not be broken on Weds .
If Giggs get the record on Weds , I don't see him retiring as I think he still has one season left on the pitch and Years at Utd in coaching role left.

[Keano!]

Yeah, I can't see him starting.

I see him coming on as a sub around the 70 minute mark

After all, there is a huge game at stake ahead of records!

[Devilzz91]

Anyone taking bets on Fergie not starting Giggs so he has to stay on next season to break the record? lol

[Nemanjaaa]

Yeah i reckon he will go for another season.

[Stephen]

Iii hope Giggs calls it 2 + 11 + (insert FA cup wins) and out. Stays on next season as a mentor/back-up. Giggs is good at keeping ball posession and his cool head towards the end of matches can not be matched by a youth lad. I thin he'll stay on for a few years yet as a training mentor and coaching role. Maybe something with the kids in in the pipelines for Giggs, maybe Scholes as well.?

Scholes won't stay on as coach. Scholes is a family man and doesn't care about fame. He wants to finish his career at Oldham Athletic, and retire to spend time with his family.

Love Scholesy, legend.



Sorry not trolling as i think Giggs as been nothing but a legend for us over the years
BUT is everyone confidence that Giggs will play a part on Weds? I cannot see him start to be honest,
AND Yes I believe he has a role either as cool mind experience or moment of skill against trying legs /minds. But both roles are as a impact sub. IMO

However football can be heartless and I cannot see Fergie starting or bring Giggs on just as a sentimental thing, FERGIE will view the game on its merits and will act accordingly . What best for the team and what can a secure victory AND RIGHTLY SO.
So the record may not be broken on Weds .
If Giggs get the record on Weds , I don't see him retiring as I think he still has one season left on the pitch and Years at Utd in coaching role left.

Fergie said himself that there is a "very good chance" that Giggs will break the record in moscow. Doubt he will start as I think Nani will get that, but he will most definately come on.

Also, if we are chasing the game, I would prefer Ryan Giggs to be coming off the bench than Park Ji-Sung, Owen Hargreaves, John O'Shea or Mikael Silvestre ffs!

Giggs has the capabilities to win a game for MUFC, and Fergie knows it.

[Drew9]

personally i'd call it a day if we won the league, he can now only influence game through the middle therefore it leaves a gap in our wing play, he could play on for another year but if it was me i'd go out on the ultimate high :)

[Jazz 16]

I think he might just retire. I doubt the constant grumblings of the 'fans' this
season have been nice to hear for him. His goal against Wigan was great
for him and all the fans were delighted for him.
It still doesn't hide the fact he had a poor season. Its all set up for him
to retire or move on. Breaking Bobby's record, winning his 2nd CL, his 10th Prem.
It will be a sad day when he leaves but I would't be surprised if it happened
after wednesday.

[Dynamite]

They aren't just rumours of people's opinion.

A number of people with sources inside United and Carrington have said that Giggs is retiring after Wednesday; another said a senior player is retiring in the summer (meaning Giggsy??).

Obviously, these have been passed down the grapevine, and have been on Red Issue and other United boards.

Nothing certain and the "sources" could easily have got it wrong.

Fairpoint mate, nothing solid, but true or not my opinion is he has alot to offer yet as a footballer, he could be used as a sub & come on the pitch whenever he will be needed, if i was giggsy i would put these options forward

[sweet fa]

i can't see giggsy starting the game either but he will come on at some stage,and if utd are victorious in the final it would probabley be the perfect stage to finish at utd {just like schmiecal }.
it will be very sad whenever giggs leaves the club but its gonna happen and i hope he picks the perfect stage {could be wednesday},i have convinced myself for the last 15 years that giggs will end his carrear at cardiff {his home town} ,and next season is cardiffs last at ninian park then they move across the road into their new stadium,i would like to see giggs spend 2 seasons at cardiff if he calls curtains on his days at utd.

[scott 4 evra]

After taking a game out of Charlton's record it looks likely. Can someone please tell me what happened in the game that Charlton didn't play and why it was credited that he did play. Personally I think Giggs should retire.

[Jazz 16]

After taking a game out of Charlton's record it looks likely. Can someone please tell me what happened in the game that Charlton didn't play and why it was credited that he did play. Personally I think Giggs should retire.

They figured out after all these years that he was sick before a game an didnt play.
He was credited with playing the game, which he didnt so his record went
back to 758. It all seems a bit suspicious but thats what happened.

[scott 4 evra]

It was very strange cause all the Man United books I have at home with stats have now being changed. I've lost a bit of trust in stats after that. Does anyone know what the game was? I want to investigate. I don't think I'm convinced.

[Stephen]

January 1962.

Bolton in the cup.

[TheManc]

he should not retire IMO. he is still a good player altough i would like to see him be 2nd choice from now on, this season his perfromances have been very average.

[asaf cohen]

i reckon he will stay on next season as a sub. he will be forever remembered and will get his 11th title.

[reddwarf]

I did begin to wonder as soon as people started mentioning that he could break Bobby Charlton's appearance record in the Champions League Final. This was with 8 or 9 games to go and I thought there was no chance of him playing in every game. Then Fergie started giving him cameo appearances at the end of every game he didn't start.

I wouldn't be surprised if he decided to retire at the end of the season. He's done it all and has nothing left to prove. People have been questioning his form throughout this season and both Park and Nani have been starting games ahead of him. Perhaps it is time to call it a day.

[manutd43va]

i believe he still got the legs in him to go running down the flanks for at least 1 more season.

[sean2689]

I think he has one more year in him where SAF will use him sparingly like he has done in the latter stages of this season, im not sure where his career lays after united?
Maybe a job at united? It has to be this!

[urm08]

I imagine he will still be playing for us next season but only featuring as a sub most of the time due to his age. I also seem to remember Fergie saying that giggsy will still play a key role next season...dont quote me on that tho i may have dreamt it :confused:

[Ando2008]

I think he will go, tbh I think the record was taken down by 1 to make sure he could break it this year

[jenko1976]

the best thing abought giggsy he never looks his age i think he will be their next year even if he is a bit part player becouse he has still got a lot 2 offer

[Dynamite]

According to giggs he has no plans off retiring

[Ando2008]

I heard his interview but at the end of the match he looked very, very emotional as if it was his last game, hope not though

[tranduytrung]

Hope he can play one more season for MU

[celticRONALDO]

he'll be a reg sub on the bench this year... LEGEND

[ElCubano]

i say why not ? though he still has game left in him ... i think he had a good season... broke the appearance record... he scored that last goal against wigan and won both trophies... what better way to go out than that ? why risk it ya know?

[versa]

Mirror


Missed opportunities are not something you associate with Ryan Giggs, given his undisputed status as the most decorated player in Manchester United's history.

But as the veteran winger wrote another historic chapter into his remarkable United story by coming on to break Sir Bobby Charlton's club appearances record, there was a sense of unfinished business.

Like his manager, the one thing that gnawed away at Giggs, despite 10 Premier League titles and five FA Cups in his illustrious career, was the solitary Champions League success which pointed to a palpable underachievement in Europe.

It was for that reason that Giggs, who was in all likelihood playing in his last European Cup final, was so desperate to add a winners' medal to the one he secured in 1999 when United completed their unprecedented Treble success.

By his own admission, when United lifted the European Cup nine years ago, he was convinced it was the start of sustained success in the competition. Yet fate and circumstance conspired to deny United the glut of European Cups they felt awaited them.

When Giggs came on for Paul Scholes in the 87th minute, to break the record, the tension was such the historic moment went largely unnoticed. A ripple of applause from United fans, but the bigger picture - and what was at stake - mattered more.

Charlton's record had been waiting to be claimed by Giggs since he signed a one-year contract extension until 2009, which ensured he would pass the milestone despite Fergie's rationing of his appearances.

And it mattered not a 46-year-old statistical error provided him with the opportunity to keep his appointment with history and claim the record in his own right.

Only weeks ago it emerged Charlton had been credited with an appearance for a game in which he did not play for United, a 1962 FA Cup tie against Bolton.

As such, his record number of appearances was cut from 759 to 758.

That left Giggs, who equalled the tally with his goal-scoring cameo at Wigan to clinch the title for United, free to make the record his last night on club football's biggest stage and with the eyes of the world on Moscow.

Such longevity at the highest level is rare in the modern game, even rarer at the same club, and will surely never be repeated, for Giggs is a one-off, a freak of nature in the nicest possible sense.

Like his manager, his powers of reinvention are unique.

Just when it seems as though time has finally caught up with him and it is time for him to make a dignified exit, as it was with Giggs a few seasons ago, he reminds you of his enduring class and value. Nani may have been bought as his long-term replacement and Giggs may no longer command an automatic place, but United's most decorated player has ensured he still has a key role to play.

"What appearing in tonight's game proved is that I was right to remain at United throughout my career," said Giggs.

"When I first came through, Serie A was the place to be and the best players went there. Now all the great players are playing in England."

After helping United clinch the Treble he was convinced more European Cup success would follow.

But he had to wait another nine years which showed just how hard it is to win club football's top prize.

"Winning the Champions League is the biggest achievement of my career along with my United debut, my Wales debut and captaining my country," said Giggs.

"Back in 1999 when I was 26 I just assumed I would be involved in a few more finals again.

"But at 34, you know deep down that the chance is slipping away."

When he came on, Giggs was deployed in central midfield, his ageing limbs no longer able to carry him up and down the wings as they did for so many years.

But his experience in central midfield was vital as the tension increased in extra time.

Giggs looked to have scored in the first period of extra time, but a brilliant piece of last-ditch defending from John Terry saw his goal bound flick headed clear by the Chelsea skipper.

But he scored United's final penalty in the shoot-out and within minutes his wait for a second European Cup medal was over.

HOW GIGGS GOT TO 759

1999
The year he scored what supporters voted the club's greatest goal - against Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final.

759
United appearances, beating Bobby Charlton's 35-year record.

26
European Cup goals for Manchester United.

20
Major honours make him the most decorated player in English football history.

17
The age at which he made his Manchester United debut at home to Everton in March, 1991.

15
The number of seconds it took him to score against Southampton in November, l995 - United's fastest ever goal in the Premier League.

12
Consecutive seasons played in the Champions League - a record.

6
Number of times included in the Professional Footballers Association team of the year.

2
One of just two players to have scored a goal in every season of the Premier League (along with Gary Speed).



And hear from the horses mouth.......


Skysports

Giggs wants more; United legend has no plans to retire on special night

Ryan Giggs has laughed off the idea of hanging up his boots on the night he made history as Manchester United won the European Cup.

The club's most decorated player added Sir Bobby Charlton's appearance milestone to his list of personal accolades, when he came off the bench late on in the second half of United's dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Chelsea.

Giggs, who scored in the shoot-out following a 1-1 draw after extra-time, was making his 759th appearance in a United shirt.

After the game he was quizzed on whether he would retire on the most of glorious of nights; his response was emphatic.

"I want nights like this again," Giggs told Sky Sports.

"I don't think you can beat '99. Penalties can be a lottery. It's how close the teams have been all season."

Giggs said it was a proud moment to beat Sir Bobby Charlton's appearance record.

"It is a proud achievement for myself and my family," he said.

"But in the end it's all about winning trophies."