Manchester United veteran winger Ryan Giggs, who was recently named as the greatest player of the Premier League era, has spent his entire career at the same club making his debut in 1990. He has played an incredible 941 times in all competitions scoring 168 goals in his illustrious career. 

He has also won a plethora of individual accolades including the PFA Young Player of the year twice, The PFA player of the year award in 2008/09 (16 years after the young player award). He has featured in the PFA Team of the Year on 6 occasions spanning 16 years. He was voted the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award in 2009.

The Welsh man will always be famous for his Goal of the Season against Arsenal in the FA Cup replay in 1998/99 season where he intercepted the ball on the half way line and ran at and terrorised the Gunners defence before firing into the roof of the net to score the winning goal to set them on their way in the treble winning year. 

Early years

Born as Ryan Joseph Wilson (he adopted his mother's maiden name as his professional surname) in Cardiff he moved to Salford when he was six and began his footballing dream.

Giggs played fpr local side Deans FC, who were coached by Manchester City scout Dennis Schofield. Schofield recommended Giggs to Manchester City who signed him up to their School of Excellence.

While playing for Deans, Giggs was observed by local newsagent and Old Trafford steward Harold Wood. Wood spoke personally to Alex Ferguson who sent a scout, and Giggs was eventually offered a trial over the 1986 Christmas period. Giggs played in a match for Salford Boys against a United Under-15s side at The Cliff and scored a hat-trick, with Ferguson watching from his office window. On 29 November 1987 (his 14th birthday), Ferguson turned up at Giggs's house with United scout Joe Brown and offered him two years on associate schoolboy forms.

Giggs also captained England at schoolboy level playing at Wembley against Germany in 1989. 

Debut and impressive beginnings

Giggs was offered his first professional contract on 29 November 1990 (his 17th birthday). He accepted the contract and became a professional two days later (1 December 1990).

Giggs made his league debut against Everton on 2 March 1991 and scored his first goal in a 1-0 derby win over Manchester City on 4 May 1991. Although he missed out on the squad that defeated Barcelona in the UEFA Cup Winners Cup final 11 days later he was not to be denied a trophy for much longer.

Still playing for the youth team as well as making first team appearances he lead Fergie's Fledglings to the FA Youth Cup in 1992 before breaking into the first team at just 17 years of age.

The first of his 35 titles was won in 1992 with Manchester United defeating Nottingham Forest in the League Cup final with Giggs assisting Brian McClair for the only goal of the game.

With the start of the Premier League era Giggs had ousted Lee Sharpe to become first choice left winger and not only did United win the league but his nine goals saw him claim the PFA Young Player of the Year award for the second successive season making him the first player to achieve this feat. (Robbie Fowler and Wayne Rooney have since achieved the same feat) 

Giggs went on to enjoy his best goalscoring season in 1993/94 netting 13 Premier League goals as his United side ran out winners of both the Premier League and the FA Cup thumping Chelsea 4-0 in the final. United were pushing for the domestic treble but Aston Villa took the League Cup afetr a 3-1 win over United. 

1998/99 proved to be the most incredible season for Manchester United and Ryan Giggs with the winger scoring the goal of the season against Arsenal to ensure his sides place in the FA Cup final. 

With the league title in the bag and the FA Cup wrapped up Giggs played a pivotal role in ensuring it was to be a match and year to remember when they won the treble after sinking Bayern Munich in injury time in the Champions League final. 

Giggs made his international debut in 1991, he broke the record as the youngest debutant for Wales and held it for some seven years. He went on to win 64 caps, and scored twelve goals for the Welsh national team between 1991 and 2007. He was appointed captain of Wales in 2004. 

After his international debut in 1991 against Germany, Giggs did not attend a friendly international until some nine years later, after which he missed a further 18 consecutive friendly games. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson had a policy of refusing to release the player for friendly games